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1
In a 3-quart stainless steel saucier, toast rolled oats over medium-low heat until the grains are fragrant and lightly browned, about 8 minutes, shaking and swirling the pan continuously to prevent scorching. Off heat, add milk and cream, along with vanilla bean and cinnamon stick (if using). Cover and steep up to 4 hours at room temperature, then set aside vanilla bean and cinnamon stick to reserve for step 3.
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2
Combine brown sugar, egg yolks, salt, and ground cinnamon in a medium bowl, then whisk in the oat-infused milk and return to the saucier. Cook over medium-low heat until warm to the touch, then increase heat to medium, stirring and scraping constantly with a flexible spatula, and cook until steaming-hot, about 8 minutes or to 155u00b0F (68u00b0C).
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3
Pour through a fine-mesh sieve into a large stainless steel bowl, pressing gently with a flexible spatula to release the liquid trapped in the oats. Add reserved vanilla bean and cinnamon stick (if using) to ice cream base, along with vanilla extract, then cover and refrigerate to continue infusing overnight, or until no warmer than 40u00b0F (4u00b0C).
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4
Meanwhile, preheat oven to 300u00b0F (150u00b0C). Transfer strained oats to a parchment-lined half-sheet pan. Bake, stirring frequently to promote even browning, until oats are dry to the touch and beginning to crisp but not yet hard or crunchy. Once cool, transfer to an airtight container and freeze until needed. At the same time, freeze a 1-quart container, such as a large yogurt tub or nonreactive loaf pan.
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5
Remove vanilla bean and cinnamon stick (if using) from custard base, then churn in an ice cream machine according to manufacturer's directions until custard looks fluffy and thick. Add toasted pecans and dried fruit, along with all but a handful of the prepared oat clusters, and churn only until well combined. With a flexible spatula, transfer ice cream to chilled container and sprinkle with reserved oat clusters, as well as additional toasted pecans and dried fruit to taste. Cover with plastic pressed directly against surface of ice cream, then seal with a lid or sheet of foil. Freeze until hard, then serve as desired.
