Apple Pie Ice Cream Recipe

The Creamiest Apple Pie Ice Cream Recipe – Cozy Fall Delight

Creamy apple pie ice cream crafts traditional dessert expectations into a delightful frozen adventure.

Sweet memories of homemade pastry blend seamlessly with cold, rich dairy goodness.

Familiar spices dance through each silky scoop, awakening nostalgic comfort food sensations.

Smooth textures and warm cinnamon notes create an irresistible culinary experience that bridges seasonal memories.

Unexpected ingredients elevate this classic treat beyond ordinary frozen desserts, promising a delectable twist on beloved flavors.

Home cooks seeking innovative dessert options will find this recipe both challenging and rewarding.

The magic happens when familiar ingredients merge in surprising ways, delivering a unique taste sensation.

Ice Cream That Tastes Like Apple Pie Crust

  • Create a Flavor Explosion: This apple pie ice cream delivers an incredible taste adventure combining warm, comforting apple pie flavors with creamy, cold ice cream that dances across your taste buds.
  • Textural Symphony: Each spoonful offers a delightful contrast between smooth, velvety ice cream base, tender spiced apple chunks, crispy pie crust crumbles, and rich caramel swirls that create an exciting mouthfeel.
  • No-Churn Convenience: The recipe eliminates the need for an ice cream machine, making it surprisingly easy for home cooks to craft a gourmet-style dessert with minimal technical skills and standard kitchen equipment.
  • Nostalgic Comfort Dessert: This innovative twist on classic apple pie transforms a traditional favorite into a refreshing summer treat that brings back memories of family gatherings and cozy autumn afternoons.

What You’ll Need for This Cozy Frozen Treat

Base Ingredients:
  • Cream Cheese: Key to creating a smooth, rich base for the ice cream.
  • Condensed Milk: Provides sweetness and helps create a creamy texture.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds depth of flavor and enhances overall taste.
  • Heavy Cream: Essential for creating a light, fluffy texture.
Fruit and Spice Ingredients:
  • Apples: Provides the classic apple pie flavor and texture.
  • Brown Sugar: Adds warmth and caramel-like sweetness to the apple filling.
  • Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cloves: Traditional spices that give a warm, classic apple pie taste.
  • Salt: Balances and enhances the overall flavor profile.
Crust and Caramel Ingredients:
  • Pie Crust: Adds a classic pie texture and crunch to the ice cream.
  • Granulated Sugar: Used to create a rich, golden caramel sauce.
  • Heavy Cream: Helps create a smooth, rich caramel sauce.
  • Vanilla: Adds depth to the caramel sauce.

Churning Up Pie Flavor into Every Bite

Step 1: Prepare Apple Pie Filling

  • Preheat oven to 375°F
  • In a large bowl, mix
  • Brown sugar
  • Vanilla
  • Cinnamon
  • Nutmeg
  • Cloves
  • Salt
  • Toss apples in the spice mixture
  • Transfer to an 8×8 baking dish
  • Bake for 30 minutes until tender
  • Remove and let cool in a heatproof bowl

Step 2: Create Caramel Sauce

  • Coat saucepan bottom with granulated sugar
  • Heat on medium-low
  • Swirl sugar until it melts into clear liquid
  • Once golden, add heavy cream
  • Whisk quickly as mixture bubbles
  • Continue until sauce becomes smooth
  • Turn off heat
  • Stir in salt and vanilla
  • Allow to cool to room temperature

Step 3: Make Crust Crumbles

  • Preheat oven to 400°F
  • Line baking sheet with parchment paper
  • Break pie crust into various sizes
  • Arrange on baking sheet
  • Bake 13-15 minutes until golden-brown
  • Cool completely
  • Crush into crumbs, keeping some larger chunks

Step 4: Craft Ice Cream Base

  • Beat cream cheese on medium-high speed
  • Slowly add condensed milk and vanilla extract
  • Mix until smooth
  • Fold in whipped cream gently

Step 5: Assemble Frozen Delight

  • Fold 3/4 of baked apples into mixture
  • Drizzle cooled caramel sauce
  • Add 3/4 of crust crumbles
  • Transfer to freezer-safe container
  • Top with remaining apples and crumbles
  • Add extra caramel sauce
  • Freeze until firm

Serving Tip: Let sit at room temperature for 5 minutes before scooping for perfect consistency.

Tips for Smooth Ice Cream With Crunchy Bits

  • Slice Apples Uniformly: Cut apples into consistent, bite-sized pieces to ensure even baking and a balanced texture throughout the ice cream.
  • Monitor Caramel Carefully: Watch the sugar closely while melting to prevent burning; golden amber color indicates perfect caramelization.
  • Whip Cream Precisely: Beat cream to stiff peaks for maximum volume and smoothness in the ice cream base.
  • Freeze Strategically: Allow ice cream to set for at least 6 hours or overnight for optimal consistency and flavor development.
  • Layer with Intention: When adding apples and crust crumbles, fold gently to create beautiful swirls without overmixing the base.

Keep This Frozen Favorite Fresh Longer

  • Refrigeration Method: Seal the apple pie ice cream in an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid. Store in the coldest part of your freezer for up to 2 weeks. Cover the surface with plastic wrap before closing the lid to prevent freezer burn and preserve the creamy texture.
  • Thawing Technique: Remove the container from the freezer and transfer to the refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving. Let it soften gradually to maintain its smooth consistency and prevent ice crystallization. Scoop and enjoy when it reaches a soft, creamy texture.
  • Reheating Tip: Avoid microwaving this dessert, as it will compromise the delicate layers. Instead, allow the ice cream to sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes to restore its original richness and prevent separation of ingredients.

Pairing Ideas for Pie-Lovers with a Spoon

  • Pair with Warm Spiced Cider: Complement the apple pie ice cream's rich flavors with a hot mulled cider, enhancing the cinnamon and nutmeg notes. The warm drink will contrast beautifully with the cold, creamy dessert.
  • Serve Alongside Toasted Pecans: Sprinkle some crunchy, lightly toasted pecans on top or beside the ice cream. Their nutty warmth and slight crunch will elevate the dessert's texture and add depth to the apple pie experience.
  • Match with Bourbon Whipped Cream: Create a decadent bourbon-infused whipped cream to dollop on top. The whiskey's caramel undertones will harmonize perfectly with the caramel swirl and enhance the dessert's complex flavor profile.
  • Accompany with Salted Caramel Cookies: Serve a few crisp salted caramel cookies on the side. Their buttery, sweet-salty crunch will provide a delightful textural contrast to the creamy, soft ice cream.

Fun Twists for the Ice Cream Craving Crowd

  • Nutmeg-Enhanced Apple Pie Ice Cream: Boost the warmth of the recipe by increasing nutmeg quantity and adding a sprinkle of ground ginger for extra spice complexity.
  • No-Churn Rustic Version: Skip the mixer and whip ingredients by hand, using store-bought pie crust for a quicker, simpler preparation method.
  • Vegan Friendly Adaptation: Replace cream cheese with coconut cream, use non-dairy condensed milk, and swap whipped cream for coconut whipped cream to create a plant-based alternative.
  • Salted Caramel Maple Remix: Replace granulated sugar with maple syrup in caramel sauce, and add a higher salt content for a more pronounced sweet-savory profile.
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Apple Pie Ice Cream Recipe

Apple Pie Ice Cream Recipe


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4.7 from 36 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Classic American apple pie meets creamy ice cream in this irresistible dessert. Warm cinnamon, tender apples, and buttery pie crust swirled into rich vanilla create a nostalgic treat you’ll crave all year long.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 3.5 cups apples, peeled and diced
  • 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, room temperature
  • 14 ounces (397 grams) sweetened condensed milk
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream, whipped to stiff peaks
  • 1 9-inch frozen pie crust

Pie Spices and Flavor Enhancers:

  • ¼ cup light brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon cloves
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 pinch kosher salt

Caramel Components:

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ⅔ cup heavy whipping cream, lukewarm
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine brown sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt, creating a fragrant spice mixture.
  3. Add sliced apples to the spice blend, thoroughly coating each piece to ensure even flavor distribution.
  4. Transfer the seasoned apples to an 8×8 inch (20×20 centimeters) baking dish, spreading them evenly.
  5. Roast the apples in the preheated oven for approximately 30 minutes, or until they become tender and release their juices.
  6. Remove the baked apples from the oven and transfer them to a heatproof bowl, allowing them to cool to room temperature.
  7. For the caramel sauce, sprinkle granulated sugar evenly across the bottom of a saucepan.
  8. Heat the sugar over medium-low temperature, gently swirling the pan to promote uniform melting.
  9. Once the sugar transforms into a golden liquid, carefully pour in heavy cream, whisking vigorously to prevent scorching.
  10. Continue whisking until the caramel sauce reaches a smooth, rich consistency.
  11. Remove from heat, then incorporate salt and vanilla extract, stirring until well combined.
  12. Allow the caramel sauce to cool completely at room temperature.
  13. Raise the oven temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius).
  14. Gently break the pie crust into varied sizes and arrange them on the prepared baking sheet.
  15. Bake the crust pieces for 13-15 minutes, or until they turn golden-brown and crisp.
  16. Let the crust cool completely, then crush into crumbs while maintaining some larger chunks.
  17. Using a stand mixer, beat cream cheese on medium-high speed until smooth.
  18. Gradually add sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract, mixing until the mixture becomes uniform.
  19. Gently fold whipped cream into the cream cheese base using a spatula, maintaining a light texture.
  20. Incorporate approximately 75% of the roasted apples into the ice cream base, folding 3-4 times to create a marbled effect.
  21. Drizzle cooled caramel sauce over the mixture.
  22. Fold in roughly 75% of the pie crust crumbles, ensuring even distribution.
  23. Transfer the ice cream to a large, airtight, freezer-safe container.
  24. Garnish the top with remaining apple pieces and crust crumbles.
  25. Finish by adding an additional drizzle of caramel sauce.

Notes

  • Prepare ingredients ahead of time to streamline the baking and assembly process, ensuring all components are at the right temperature.
  • Bake apple filling until tender to concentrate flavors and create a soft, caramelized texture that enhances the overall ice cream experience.
  • Create caramel carefully by melting sugar slowly and whisking constantly to prevent burning and achieve a smooth, rich sauce.
  • Crush pie crust into varying sizes for textural contrast, maintaining some larger chunks to provide a satisfying crunch in each bite.
  • Fold ingredients gently to maintain the light, airy texture of the ice cream and prevent deflating the whipped cream mixture.
  • Freeze overnight to allow flavors to meld and develop a creamy, scoop-able consistency that captures the essence of a classic apple pie.
  • Prep Time: 40 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 473 cal
  • Sugar: 48 g
  • Sodium: 224 mg
  • Fat: 32 g
  • Saturated Fat: 19 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 41 g
  • Fiber: 1.5 g
  • Protein: 6 g
  • Cholesterol: 106 mg
Lucas Bennett

Lucas Bennett

Founder & Recipe Creator

Expertise

Simple Everyday Recipes, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Creative Meal Planning, Recipe Testing and Improvement

Education

Fox Valley Technical College, Appleton, Wisconsin

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Practical culinary training, fundamental cooking techniques, meal planning, and using fresh, local ingredients.

Lake Superior College, Duluth, Minnesota

  • Program: Certificate in Sustainable Food Systems
  • Focus: Cooking methods that promote sustainability, farm-to-table practices, and eco-friendly meal creation.

Lucas Bennett’s cooking journey started in his parents’ kitchen, where he learned to prepare tasty, no-fuss meals from scratch. His culinary passion led him to Fox Valley Technical College, where he gained practical cooking skills.
He then expanded his focus on sustainability at Lake Superior College. Today, Lucas shares easy, approachable recipes designed to make cooking enjoyable and stress-free for everyone.

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