Peach-Pecan Ice Cream

3 cups half-and-half or light cream

1-1/2 cups sugar

1 tablespoon vanilla

3 cups whipping cream

4 cups finely chopped, peeled peaches or one 16-ounce package frozen unsweetened peach slices, thawed and finely chopped

1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans

Peach slices (optional)

In a very large mixing bowl combine half-and-half or light cream, sugar, and vanilla. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Stir in whipping cream. Stir in chopped peaches and toasted pecans.

Freeze in a 4- or 5-quart ice-cream freezer according to manufacturer's directions. Remove dasher. Repack outer freezer bucket with ice and salt and ripen for about 4 hours. Garnish with peach slices, if desired.

Makes 2 quarts (16 servings).