The genius of this ice cream is that it combines the two for you seamlessly – it really does taste like apple pie, but in ice cream form! The base is creamy vanilla ice cream, which is then combined with apples that have been cooked in butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. Rather than incorporate the apples as is, you puree them, which ensures all of the apple flavor minus any chunks of icy fruit. The final component in the ice cream is snickerdoodle cookies, which are folded in after churning and mimic the pie crust. It’d been ages since I made snickerdoodles and I had forgotten just how awesome they are.
By Tracey
Apple Pie Ice Cream
adapted from Sweet Cream and Sugar Cones
Ingredients:
Apples
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Ice Cream
- 5 large egg yolks
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar, divided
- 1 3/4 cups heavy cream
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup chopped snickerdoodles
Directions:
To cook the apple: Add the brown sugar and butter to a medium skill set over medium heat. Let the butter melt, then add the apples and cinnamon. Cook, stirring frequently, until the apples have softened and most of the liquid has evaporated, about 10-15 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and allow the apples to cool, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use them.
To make the ice cream: In a medium heatproof bowl, whisk the egg yolks and 2 1/2 tablespoons of the sugar together. Add the remaining sugar, the heavy cream, milk, and salt to a medium saucepan set over medium heat. Warm until bubbles start to form around the edges of the pan. Slowly pour the warm milk mixture into the bowl with the yolks, whisking constantly, until completely incorporated. Transfer the mixture back to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a wooden spoon (it will register between 170 and 175 F on an instant read thermometer).
Pour the custard through a fine mesh strainer into a heatproof bowl. Allow to cool slightly, then cover and chill the mixture thoroughly in your refrigerator (I always have the best results when I chill overnight).
The next day, add the apples, vanilla extract and half of the custard to your blender or food processor. Puree until the mixture is smooth.
Combine this puree with the remaining custard and freeze in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. As you transfer the ice cream to a container for storing, fold in the chopped snickerdoodles with a rubber spatula. Store in an airtight container in your freezer.
Makes about 1 quart.
