With their rich, earthy flavor, black walnuts are a staple in holiday kitchens. But don’t overlook them in the summer. Black walnut ice cream is a true warm-weather classic.
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Rediscover Black Walnut Ice Cream This Summer
Have you tried black walnut ice cream yet? Here’s everything you need to know about this nostalgic flavor and its history with Hammons Black Walnuts.
By Jordan Blomquist
Jul 2025
Black walnut ice cream began appearing in the early 20th century, gaining popularity across the Midwest and Southern United States, especially in regions where black walnuts grow wild, like the Ozarks. The flavor took root through family recipes and small dairies that used local ingredients, eventually spreading nationwide as more consumers developed a taste for its bold, nutty flavor profile.
Hammons Products Company—also known as Hammons Black Walnuts—was founded in Stockton, Missouri, in 1946 and played a central role in that story. “As the nation’s leading processor of wild-harvested black walnuts, Hammons made it possible for dairies across the country—both regional and national—to feature this unique nut in ice cream, helping introduce it to a broader audience and establishing it as a nostalgic American classic,” says Jacob Basecke, Executive Vice President of Hammons Black Walnuts.
Photo courtesy Hammons Black Walnuts
How Black Walnut Ice Cream Became a Midwest and Southern Staple
A few key partnerships helped elevate black walnut ice cream into the national spotlight. Baskin-Robbins included black walnut in its original lineup of 31 flavors when the brand launched in the 1940s, and it remains part of its core lineup today.
The partnership between Hammons Black Walnuts and Hiland Dairy is a natural fit, bringing together two beloved Ozarks staples to create a uniquely Ozarks ice cream. Curtis Hampsten, general sales manager at Hiland Dairy, says Hiland’s black walnut ice cream often brings back memories of specific moments or idyllic days.
Customers frequently ask Hampsten where to find black walnut ice cream. “Thankfully, our close relationship with Hammons keeps this classic Ozarks flavor in stock at many area grocers,” he says.
Photo courtesy Hammons Black Walnuts
Black Walnut Ice Cream Finds a New Generation of Fans
Black walnut ice cream is rooted in tradition. For many, it’s the flavor their parents or grandparents loved—served at picnics, Sunday dinners or hometown ice cream shops. Its taste is hard to forget, and because it’s not as widely available as other flavors, rediscovering it often brings a wave of nostalgia.
That sense of nostalgia has long made black walnut ice cream most popular among older generations who grew up with the flavor. “In recent years, we’ve seen a growing interest from younger consumers and foodies looking for bold, heritage-driven and locally sourced ingredients,” Basecke says. “The flavor is also being rediscovered by specialty ice cream makers and chefs experimenting with vintage or regional recipes.”
Across various markets throughout the Ozarks, renowned brands such as Hiland Dairy, Blue Bell, Braum’s, Belfonte, Baskin-Robbins, Ice Cream Factory and Cold Stone Creamery offer a delightful black walnut ice cream, each with its own unique twist.
Hampsten hints that Hiland Dairy will soon introduce a new black walnut ice cream flavor this fall, building on their existing classic black walnut offering. “Black walnut ice cream evokes memories passed down through generations,” he notes, “and we’re excited to soon offer a modern twist on this nostalgic favorite.” Stay tuned!
Photo courtesy Hammons Black Walnuts
How to Make Black Walnut Ice Cream at Home
Want to try your hand at making your own ice cream? Here’s a recipe perfect for warm summer days.
Ingredients:
5 eggs, beaten until foamy and lemon-colored
2¼ cups sugar
1 pint whipping cream
1 pint half and half
½ teaspoon black walnut flavoring
½ to ¾ cup Hammons Black Walnuts, chopped
Directions:
Using a traditional hand-crank or electric bucket-style ice cream maker, slowly add the sugar and eggs, and beat until the mixture is thick and smooth. Pour the egg and sugar mixture along with the remaining ingredients into the freezer can, then add milk up to the fill line. Place the can in the ice cream freezer, and surround it with ice and salt until the freezer stops turning.
Once the paddle has stopped, remove it and pack the freezer can with more ice. Wrap the can in towels and let it set until the ice cream is firm. For soft-serve ice cream, dip right in.
Want to try black walnuts for yourself?
Find Hammons Black Walnuts at your local grocery store or online at hammonspantry.com.
