# Mike's Hot Honey Ice Cream Sundae with Sea Salt and Candied Pecans > A simple, showstopping sundae that balances creamy vanilla ice cream with the sweet-heat of Mike's Hot Honey and crunchy candied pecans finished with a flake of sea salt. Quick to assemble, it’s a great dessert for weeknights or an easy crowd-pleaser for company. Canonical URL: https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/mikes-hot-honey-ice-cream-sundae-sea-salt-candied-pecans ## Author Jake Woods https://www.topshelf.recipes/chef/jake-woods Published: June 27, 2026 Last Updated: September 3, 2026 ## About This Recipe This sundae lives at the intersection of lazy-weeknight dessert and small-ceremony showstopper. The pairing is simple: creamy vanilla ice cream gives you a cool, familiar backbone while Mike's Hot Honey riffs on that with sticky sweetness and a clear, warm heat that doesn’t numb the palate. Candied pecans add the crunchy counterpoint and toasted, buttery flavor that makes each spoonful worth savoring, and a flake of sea salt heightens the contrasts so the sweetness sings rather than cloys. What makes this version work is the attention to texture and temperature: warm honey poured over cold ice cream creates a glossy sauce that pools and sets in the nooks of the scoop, while the quick skillet caramelization on the pecans keeps them glassy and crisp instead of stodgy. It’s an adaptable formula — scale up for a party, or keep it intimate with an extra pinch of cayenne — and it rewards small, deliberate steps (don’t burn the sugar; warm the honey gently). Serve it when you want something effortless yet memorable, especially with coffee or a boozy digestif to follow. ## Recipe Information - Prep Time: 15 minutes - Cook Time: 10 minutes - Total Time: 25 minutes - Servings: 4 - Difficulty: Easy - Category: Desserts ## Ingredients ### Make the candied pecans - 2 cups pecan halves - 1/2 cup granulated sugar - 2 tbsp unsalted butter - 1 tsp flaky sea salt - a pinch ground cayenne pepper (optional) ### Scoop the ice cream - 4 cups Vanilla ice cream ### Warm Mike's Hot Honey - 1/3 cup Mike's Hot Honey ## Ingredient Guide ### Mike's Hot Honey Mike's Hot Honey is a branded chili‑infused honey (originating in the U.S., popularized out of Brooklyn) used as a sweet‑and‑spicy condiment. It tastes like floral, sticky honey layered with a warm, lingering chili heat and sometimes a touch of smokiness depending on the variety. You can find it at many supermarkets, specialty food stores, and online; substitute with any chili‑infused honey or make your own by gently warming honey with red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce or chili oil mixed into honey. ## Instructions ### 1. Make the candied pecans Line a baking sheet with parchment. In a medium skillet over medium heat, combine the granulated sugar and butter and stir until the mixture begins to bubble and the sugar dissolves, about 1–2 minutes. Add the pecan halves and a generous pinch of the flaky sea salt (and cayenne if using), stirring constantly until the pecans are evenly coated and glossy, about 2–3 minutes. Transfer the pecans to the prepared sheet, spread into a single layer, and let cool completely; chop coarsely once set. ### 2. Warm Mike's Hot Honey Place Mike's Hot Honey in a small microwave-safe bowl and warm in 10–15 second bursts until pourable (or warm gently in a small saucepan over low heat). Warming softens the honey’s viscosity so it drizzles smoothly without losing its bright flavor. ### 3. Scoop the ice cream Divide the vanilla ice cream among four bowls or sundae glasses — about two generous scoops per serving. Work quickly so the ice cream holds shape while you finish the toppings. ### 4. Assemble the sundaes Drizzle each bowl with 1–2 tablespoons of the warmed Mike's Hot Honey, then sprinkle generously with the chopped candied pecans. Finish with a light flake of sea salt across each sundae to accentuate the sweet-spicy contrast; add an extra tiny dusting of cayenne if you like more heat. ### 5. Serve and store leftovers Serve immediately so the honey pools slightly and the pecans stay crunchy. Store any reserved candied pecans in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days and keep leftover honey refrigerated per the bottle instructions. ## Nutrition Estimated nutrition per serving (about 1¾ cups): - Calories: 1084 kcal - Protein: 13 g - Carbohydrates: 111.6 g - Fat: 69.2 g - Saturated Fat: 23.4 g - Trans Fat: 0 g - Fiber: 6.6 g - Sugar: 100.8 g - Added Sugars: 24.9 g - Cholesterol: 125 mg - Sodium: 676 mg - Potassium: 696 mg - Calcium: 341 mg - Iron: 1.6 mg - Vitamin D: 0.5 mcg ## Tips ### Control the heat When making the pecans, keep the skillet at medium to medium-low; sugar browns quickly and will burn if you step away for even thirty seconds. ### Use warm honey Heat Mike's Hot Honey briefly so it’s pourable but not scalding — twenty seconds in the microwave or a low-simmer off the heat will do — so it glosses the ice cream without melting it into soup. ### Salt last for contrast Sprinkle flaky sea salt over the finished sundae rather than into the caramel so the salt stays visible and gives immediate bright hits against each bite. ### Avoid soggy pecans Cool the candied pecans on parchment in a single layer until completely set before chopping; warm pecans will steam and lose their crunch. ### Measure for consistency Stick to the stated sugar-to-pecan ratio or slightly reduce sugar if you prefer less candy gloss; too much sugar makes the coating thick and brittle instead of melt-in-your-mouth. ## Variations and Substitutions ### Dairy-free swap Use a firm coconut or oat-based vanilla ice cream and follow the candied pecan method as written; the honey and salt still provide the same layered contrast. ### Brown-butter pecans Brown the butter first for deeper nutty flavor, then add sugar and pecans to make the candy coating for a richer, toasty profile. ### Citrus-honey twist Stir a teaspoon of orange zest into the warm honey before drizzling to add bright citrus notes that cut through the sweetness. ### Chocolate-sauce addition Drizzle a thin stream of bittersweet chocolate sauce over the sundae for an extra layer of decadence that plays beautifully with pecans and hot honey. ## Notes This sundae highlights how a little heat makes sweet flavors sing — Mike's Hot Honey transforms plain vanilla into something memorable. It’s ideal for casual dinners, summer gatherings, or any time you want an effortless but elevated dessert. ### Storage and Make-Ahead Store leftover candied pecans in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days to preserve crunch; separate them from humid areas like the fridge. Keep leftover honey per the bottle instructions (unopened in pantry, refrigerated after opening if recommended) and reheat gently before using. Assembled sundaes should be eaten immediately — if you must save components, refreeze the ice cream and reassemble just before serving. ### Serving Suggestions Serve this sundae after a spicy or smoky main — think grilled chicken or tacos — so the heat theme carries through the menu, or alongside a small espresso for a classic contrast. For adult guests, offer a small pour of bourbon or an amber rum to complement the pecans and honey, and present the sundaes in clear glasses so the golden honey and crunchy scatter are visible. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Can I use other nuts instead of pecans? Yes — walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts all candy well and offer different flavor notes; adjust cooking time slightly for size and keep a close eye so they don't burn. ### How do I stop the sugar from crystallizing? Avoid stirring with a cold utensil and keep the sugar–butter mixture moving while it melts; once the nuts are coated, transfer them quickly to parchment so stray crystals don't form on the pan. ### My honey is very thick — will warming ruin the flavor? Warming briefly just reduces viscosity and brings out aromatics; heat gently in short bursts and stop once it’s pourable to preserve the floral and chili notes. ### Can I make the candied pecans ahead of time? Absolutely — they keep well at room temperature for several days in an airtight container and are actually easier to chop when fully cooled and set. ### Why add flaky sea salt on top? The flakes give quick bursts of saline brightness that sharpen the sweetness and heat, and their texture contrasts nicely with the crunchy pecans and smooth ice cream. ## Related Recipes and Guides - [Easy Peanut Butter Bars](https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/easy-peanut-butter-bars) - [Chocolate Peanut Butter Chex Mix](https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/chocolate-peanut-butter-chex-mix) - [No-Churn Fresh Berry Ice Cream (No Machine, 5 Ingredients)](https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/no-churn-fresh-berry-ice-cream-5-ingredients) - [Molten Lemon Cake](https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/molten-lemon-cake) - [Boozy Red White Blue Popsicles (Vodka Ice Pops for Adults)](https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/boozy-red-white-blue-popsicles-vodka-ice-pops-for-adults) - [Salted Caramel Stuffed Brownies with Crispy Edges and Sea Salt](https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/salted-caramel-stuffed-brownies-crispy-edges-sea-salt) - [Grilled & Campfire Seasonal Sweets: 12 Crowd‑Favorite Desserts and How to Make Them Year‑Round](https://www.topshelf.recipes/articles/grilled-campfire-seasonal-sweets-12-recipes-year-round) - [Summer Weeknight Grilling Playbook: 4-Week Rotating Meal Plan with Quick Seasonal Recipes, Make‑Ahead Sides & Grill‑First Desserts](https://www.topshelf.recipes/articles/summer-weeknight-grilling-playbook-4-week-plan) - [Gluten-Free Weeknight Grilling Plan](https://www.topshelf.recipes/articles/gluten-free-weeknight-grilling-plan)