This homemade apple ice cream is the perfect combination of warm cinnamon apples, buttery crumble topping, and creamy vanilla ice cream. We love this twist on ice cream and apple pie!
I love sitting down to a big bowl of ice cream. And when it’s apple season, I want to make that ice cream apple pie flavored!
Although I’ve got a soft spot for my southern summers, I can’t deny that I eagerly await crisp autumn days, and the homemade apple ice cream that comes with them.
This unique blend of fresh apples, crumbly topping, and luscious vanilla ice cream is a surefire way to make the most of apple season, or any time!
WHY YOU NEED TO MAKE THIS APPLE PIE ICE CREAM RECIPE
This apple pie ice cream recipe isn’t just another dessert – it’s an all-American treat for your taste buds! Here’s why it’s going to be your new favorite:
- It’s simply delicious: This recipe combines the best of baked apples, a buttery crumble topping, and a homemade cinnamon ice cream base.
- It’s all real: We’re not using store-bought apple filling or cinnamon graham crackers with their artificial flavors and additives. This recipe is completely natural, with absolutely no trans fats or corn syrup.
- You can enjoy it year-round! Apples are easy to find at the store in any season.
- Is there a better combination than ice cream and apple pie? I don’t think so! It’s like classic apple pie a la mode in one bowl!
EASY APPLE ICE CREAM INGREDIENTS
These apple ice cream ingredients are super easy to find in any supermarket. Here’s what you’ll need for each part of the recipe – the baked apples, the crumble, and the homemade ice cream recipe:
BAKED APPLES
- Diced Apples. Any baking variety will work, as they hold up well during the cooking process and have a balanced sweet and tart flavor. Granny Smith apples are a great choice.
- Apple Pie Spice. To give the apples that warm, cozy pie flavor.
- Brown Sugar. To lightly sweeten the apples. Here’s how you can make your own brown sugar.
- Flour. To thicken the sauce that cooks up with the apples. I use einkorn all-purpose flour.
- Sea Salt. Every baked good needs a bit of salt!
- Fresh Lemon Juice. To keep the apples from oxidizing and turning brown. Bottled lemon juice works too.
- Butter. Salted butter melts into the sauce and adds richness.
CRUMBLE
- Flour. The base of the crumble topping recipe.
- Rolled Oats. These add texture and fiber to the topping.
- Sugar. Granulated sugar for sweetness. I use turbinado.
- Brown Sugar. White sugar gives a crisp texture, and brown sugar adds a deeper flavor and a bit of chewiness. Using both gives the best color and flavor.
- Salted Butter. Chopped into small pieces, cutting the butter into the crumble topping helps everything get toasted to a golden brown.
ICE CREAM
- Heavy Whipping Cream. The higher fat content in heavy cream makes for rich, indulgent ice cream.
- Whole Milk. Again, the higher fat content helps the ice cream turn out creamy rather than with ice crystals.
- Granulated Sugar. Granulated sugar helps the ice cream turn out with the proper texture when it freezes.
- Ground Cinnamon. We’re adding this spice directly to the ice cream for a cinnamon base flavor that complements the apples and the crumble.
- Pure Vanilla Extract. For delicious vanilla flavor that brings out the sweetness. Here’s how to make your own vanilla.
Some apple ice cream recipes might suggest using store-bought canned apple pie filling, caramel sauce, or graham crackers. However, I firmly believe that using homemade, high-quality ingredients delivers superior flavor and texture, keeping your dessert naturally delicious and wholesome!
HOW TO MAKE APPLE ICE CREAM WITH CRUMBLE TOPPING
Creating this apple crumble ice cream may not be a lightning-fast process, but I assure you, it’s easy, and the end result is so worth it! Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to whip up each component of the recipe:
BAKED APPLES INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1. Combine all ingredients and cook over medium heat in a large saucepan. Cook until the apples are softened and the sauce thickens slightly (this should take around 10 minutes).
Step 2. Allow the mixture to cool and then refrigerate for a few hours or overnight.
CRUMBLE INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 350F.
Step 2. Mix all the ingredients, except butter, in a large bowl. Then, using a pastry cutter, cut in the butter.
Step 3. Spread the mixture onto a pan and bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown.
Step 4. After baking, use a metal spatula to stir the crumble for even cooling. Allow it to cool completely before use.
APPLE CINNAMON ICE CREAM INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1. Combine all ingredients, except vanilla extract, in a saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Ensure it doesn’t come to a boil.
Step 2. Remove from heat, add vanilla extract, and let it cool. Refrigerate for a few hours or ideally, overnight.
Step 3. Once chilled, pour the mixture into an ice cream maker bowl and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Step 4. During the last few minutes of churning, add the apple mixture and 1 cup of the crumble mixture to the machine.
Step 5. Transfer the churned mixture into a freezer-safe container and let it freeze for a few hours or until firm.
Step 6. When serving, scoop out the ice cream into bowls and sprinkle some reserved crumble on top. If you’re feeling fancy, add a dollop of fresh Homemade Whipped Cream or a drizzle of Salted Caramel Sauce. Yum!
Psst! You can also take a shortcut if you have extra Apple Slab Pie from Thanksgiving. Just crumble up a serving or two of that yumminess into your next batch of Homemade Ice Cream! It’ll give you that same apple pie and ice cream combination AND use up your leftovers.
Properly stored in an airtight container, homemade apple ice cream can last up to 2 weeks in the freezer.
ICE CREAM APPLE PIE TIPS
To make sure your apple ice cream turns out perfect, here’s a quick timeline for preparation:
- Day 1: Cook the apples and prepare the ice cream mixture. Refrigerate both overnight. Also, remember to place your ice cream maker’s bowl in the freezer overnight.
- Day 2: Bake the crumble topping and allow it to cool. Churn the chilled ingredients to make the ice cream. Freeze for a few hours or overnight before serving.
Remember, you’ll have a bit more crumble topping than you need. But don’t worry, there are plenty of fun ways to use it.
- Top your morning Greek yogurt
- Substitute for granola in your Yogurt Parfaits
- Add extra crunch to your Apple Oatmeal Breakfast Bars
- Sprinkle it on top of Apple Pie Overnight Oats
APPLE PIE AND ICE CREAM VARIATIONS
Mix even more flavor into your ice cream with one of these tasty apple pie and ice cream combinations!
- Cinnamon Spice Apple Pie: Add extra cinnamon to the crumble or ice cream base for a burst of flavor!
- Caramel Apple Ice Cream: Drizzle caramel sauce on top of your ice cream or swirl it in when you add the crumbles.
- Peanut Butter Apple Ice Cream: Swirl peanut butter into the ice cream mixture itself, or melt it slightly and drizzle it over your serving.
- Berry Apple Pie Ice Cream: Mix in blueberries or sliced strawberries along with the apples and crumble for an “everything” pie ice cream.
- Nutty Crunch Apple Ice Cream: Add chopped walnuts or pecans with the mix-ins or sprinkle on top for a bit of crunch.
CAN A REAL FOODIE EAT APPLE ICE CREAM?
You can with this recipe!
- Accurately track what you’re eating. That means figuring out the nutrition information for the apple ice cream AND knowing that the portion size you’re writing down is actually the portion you ate.
- Licks, bites, and tastes count! As you’re assembling the different components of the apple ice cream, be mindful of tasting the sweetened apples, sneaking a bite of crumble topping, or licking the spoon after stirring the ice cream mixture.
- Keep your goals on track for the day as a whole. Include plenty of produce and lean protein, and adjust your meals so that your macros for the whole day make sense.
- Don’t fret over one snack! Consistency is key to hitting your nutrition goals, and one snack is not going to change that. What you do consistently day after day is what matters.
- Eating well is a lifestyle. We aren’t dieting here, folks! Real life includes treats, and you can fit them into a balanced day.
ICE CREAM AND APPLE PIE FAQS
Can I use store-bought vanilla ice cream instead of making it from scratch?
While you can use store-bought vanilla ice cream for convenience, I highly recommend making it from scratch for the best flavor and consistency. You may need to let the ice cream from the store sit out on the counter for a few minutes to soften before stirring in the apples and crumble.
How do you make apple ice cream without an ice cream maker?
It might not be as creamy, but you can make a decent version of apple ice cream by freezing the mixture and stirring it every 30 minutes until it’s firm. Here’s a tutorial on how I make ice cream without an ice cream machine.
Can I replace the sugar with a sugar substitute when making apple ice cream?
Yes, you can replace sugar with substitutes like stevia or erythritol, keeping in mind that the sweetening power of each substitute varies. However, sugar also contributes to the texture of the ice cream, so replacing it may alter the final result.
Can I make dairy-free apple ice cream?
Yes, you can make dairy-free apple ice cream by substituting the heavy cream and milk with a non-dairy alternative such as full-fat coconut milk or almond milk. You’ll also need to use a dairy-free substitute for the butter, such as coconut oil.
Note that the flavor will be slightly different, and the ice cream might be less creamy.
How can I prevent my homemade ice cream from becoming icy?
One way to prevent your homemade ice cream from becoming icy is to ensure your mixture is as cold as possible before churning. Also, using ingredients that contain a higher percentage of fat (like heavy cream) can help reduce iciness.
MORE SWEET DESSERTS FOR SUMMER
- Coconut Cream Popsicles
- Homemade Chocolate Pudding
- Homemade Ice Pops
- Healthy Homemade Fudgesicles
- Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream
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This homemade apple ice cream is the perfect combination of warm cinnamon apples, buttery crumble topping, and creamy vanilla ice cream. We love this twist on ice cream and apple pie!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 1 quart 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Freeze
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
BAKED APPLE INGREDIENTS:
- 3 medium apples, peeled and chopped (any baking variety will do) (546
- 1 tsp apple pie spice (3g)
- ½ cup brown sugar (100g)
- 2 Tbsp flour (I use Einkorn all-purpose flour) (15g)
- 2 pinches sea salt
- ½ tsp fresh lemon juice (2g)
- 2 Tbsp butter (I use salted) (28g)
CRUMBLE INGREDIENTS:
- ¾ cup flour (I use Einkorn all-purpose flour) (90g)
- ½ cup rolled oats (40g)
- 6 Tbsp sugar (78g)
- 6 Tbsp brown sugar (66g)
- 6 Tbsp butter (I use salted), chopped small (84g)
ICE CREAM INGREDIENTS:
- 2 cups heavy cream (476g)
- 1 cup milk (244g)
- ½ cup granulated sugar (100g)
- 1 pinch cinnamon
- ½ tsp pure vanilla extract (2g)
Instructions
BAKED APPLE INSTRUCTIONS:
- Combine all ingredients and cook in a large saucepan on the stove over medium heat, stirring frequently, until apples are softened and the sauce thickens slightly (about 10 minutes). Remove from heat to cool, then refrigerate for a few hours or overnight.
- When you begin churning the ice cream, remove the apple mixture from the fridge so it will soften slightly, making it easier to stir into the ice cream mixture.
CRUMBLE INSTRUCTIONS:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Combine all ingredients except butter in a mixing bowl. Use a pastry cutter, to cut in the butter mixture that resembles mostly moist clumps with some finer crumbs.
- Spread onto a jellyroll pan and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden.
- Remove from the oven and use a metal spatula to turn the entire mixture for even cooling. Cool completely on the pan. If not using immediately, cover and store. (NOTE: Makes ~1 ½ cups crumbles, some large, some fine. Use about 1 cup for stirring into ice cream, and the remaining ½ cup for sprinkling on top when served)
ICE CREAM INSTRUCTIONS:
- Combine all except vanilla in a saucepan, stir well, then heat over medium, stirring occasionally, until steam just begins to rise from the surface. (Do not boil!)
- Remove from heat, add vanilla, and allow to cool. Refrigerate for a few hours or overnight.
- Once chilled, pour the mixture into a frozen ice cream maker bowl and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for churning.
- During the last few minutes of churning, add the apple mixture and 1 cup of the crumble mixture to the machine. Transfer to a freezer-safe container with a lid and freeze for a few hours or until firm.
- To serve, scoop into bowls and sprinkle the reserved crumble mixture on top.
Notes
To make sure your homemade apple ice cream turns out perfect, here’s a quick timeline for preparation:
- Day 1: Cook the apples and prepare the ice cream mixture. Refrigerate both overnight. Also, remember to place your ice cream maker’s bowl in the freezer overnight.
- Day 2: Bake the crumble topping and allow it to cool. Churn the chilled ingredients to make the ice cream. Freeze for a few hours or overnight before serving.
I made double batch for family for pre Thanksgiving. It was on counter for 3 days, covered and was just fine. We did zap the last pieces just to warm up and still tasty. Great easy recipe.
Reena, I am elated that you and your family enjoyed this recipe!
I love the combinations of flavors and textures of this ice cream!
I just saw your comment – thanks for the kind words. The pictures definitely don’t do this amazing flavor combo justice!