There is nothing like the taste of a freshly baked warm apple crumble with a complimentary serving of vanilla ice cream. The contrast of textures makes it that perfect melt in your mouth dessert. Whether that’s the melting of the warm caramelized apples or soft creamy ice cream plus the added crunch of the sweet crumble. Pure perfection if you ask me!
But what if we took two desserts and combined them into one???
The idea occurred to me when I was preparing for a local Apple Bake festival. The contest hosts over 30+ baked goods each year. The judging is based on taste, creativity, and the amount of apples used in the dish. I simplified the recipe below so you don’t have to use 20+ apples to make an ice cream.
Short cuts include using store bought apple butter and store bought caramel sauce for those who want a fast easy dessert. You can also substitute graham crackers or cookies of choice in place of the pecan crumble.
The recipe is fairly simple. You first begins by whipping the cream to stiff peaks before adding the apple butter. This keeps the ice cream light and smooth after freezing. Next add remaining ingredients with exception to apple butter and caramel reserve for swirling.
Lastly, add the reserved apple butter and caramel. I like to use a skewer or knife to distribute the swirls evenly. Be careful to not over stir the caramel.
Another take on the dessert is substituting another butter like pumpkin butter in place of apple. That tips for all you pumpkin lovers out there. Me being one of them lol. There is just something about pumpkin ice cream that gets me. Especially a hint of cream cheese. Okay, sorry back to apple. If you haven’t noticed I lean more towards the pumpkin and sweet potato pie side but I must say this apple pecan ice cream holds up to all my pumpkin desserts with equal deliciousness. The judges at the festival also agreed on this dessert taking first place in the Apple dessert category.
Substitution tips:
Now for those of you allergic to pecans simply substitute for plain cookies or graham crackers. Same goes for gluten free substitutes for ingredients that work for your diet. Dairy free substitute for dairy free alternatives.
Although this dessert does require some steps it’s relatively simple. You are mainly waiting on the cream mixture to freeze into that heavenly caramel swirl of frozen apple goodness. I hope you enjoy this recipe as so many of my friends and family did.
No-Churn Rich Caramel Apple Crumble Ice Cream
An ice cream dessert but with all the warmth and cinnamon spice of an apple crumble that your entire family will enjoy.
Ingredients
Ice Cream Base
Crumble Topping
Instructions
Ice cream Base
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In large bowl whip the whipping cream until stiff peaks with 1-2 tablespoon of sugar.
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In a separate bowl blend the cream cheese condensed milk, 2 cups of apple butter, syrup, bourbon, extract, salt and spices.
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Fold the two mixtures together until just combined.
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Next pour ¼ ice cream into metal pan. Swirl 1 tb of apple butter and ⅓ caramel sauce. Repeat with remaining layers until full. Looking for a swirled apple butter and caramel ice cream. Finish top layer with remaining caramel.
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Freeze for at least 6 hours before topping with crumble. Serve after 8 hours of freezing or longer. Tip to reserve a ¼ cup of caramel sauce if you can to reheat and pour over warm if able.
Crumble Topping
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Melt the butter in sauce pan
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Add remaining ingredients into a mixing bowl with butter until just combined.
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Chill in fridge for 30 minutes
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Preheat the oven to 350F.
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Bake the crumble spread on a baking sheet for 25 minutes.
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Let cool then break into bits with a chopping knife. (Can be made in advance and frozen for up to 3 months or room temperature for 5 days)
