If you love apple pie as much as we do you are going to want to…in Paula Deen’s words…jump right up and slap your mama over this ice cream recipe. A big slab of homemade apple pie is folded into the creamiest, richest ice cream you could imagine and you can make it at home…and it’s as easy as pie.
Several weeks ago I posted a tutorial and recipe for a 2-CRUST HOMEMADE APPLE PIE and found myself with a big slice left after my family headed back to Chicago. I knew there was something wonderful I could do with it and decided to transform it into what turned out to be one of the best ice creams I’ve made in a very long time. Homemade pie was delicious in this recipe, but if you don’t happen to have some a slice of a bakery pie would be great too. Any fruit pie would be wonderful…imagine blackberry or peach…or even pecan pie…so many possibilities and all you have to make is a very easy custard base for your ice cream.
I started with my favorite custard ice cream base found HERE and I added homemade applesauce, my favorite Singing Dog Vanilla vanilla bean paste and bourbon whiskey after the mixture cooked and thickened. After the ice cream froze in my CUISINART ICE CREAM MAKER I folded chunks of apple pie into the soft ice cream. Don’t overmix because the chunks of pie are what make it special. I love desserts that can be made ahead of time and surprise my family and friends. I heard somebody comment that this tastes just like a slice of homemade apple pie with a scoop of French vanilla ice cream. I was happy with that.
A tablespoon or two of alcohol like bourbon whiskey will help keep the ice cream from freezing rock hard and deter the formation of ice crystals. The bourbon adds a very mild richness to the apples…its so good with the fruit and cinnamon…but if you don’t want to add any flavor a little vodka will give the same results. More than a couple of tablespoons will prevent the custard from freezing properly. If you don’t want the alcohol just add an extra teaspoon of vanilla bean paste. I did a little research and read that somebody made gin and tonic slushies in their ice cream maker. I have to say that that sounds pretty darn good. I may have to try that one. And ice cream cones aren’t just for little kids…grownup kids like them too. It doesn’t take long to get everybody reminiscing about some favorite childhood treat as they enjoy one heck of a delicious homemade ice cream.
- 1 cup half-and-half
- ⅔ cup sugar
- pinch of salt
- 5 egg yolks
- 2 cups heavy cream
- ¼ cup applesauce
- 2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
- 1 tablespoon (or more to your taste) bourbon whiskey (if you don't wish to use bourbon substitute it with 1 more teaspoon vanilla paste)
- 1 3-4 inch slice of apple pie, chopped into small pieces
- Combine cream, sugar and salt in a medium saucepan. Warm over medium low heat until cream is warm and the sugar is melted.
- Whisk the egg yolks together in a medium bowl. Slowly pour the cream mixture into the egg yolks, whisking constantly, then scrape the mixture back into the saucepan and place over medium heat.
- Stir the mixture constantly with a rubber spatula until the custard thickens and coats the back of the spatula. It should be between 170 and 175 degrees F on an instant read thermometer.
- Pour the custard through a strainer into a medium sized bowl. Stir in the heavy cream, vanilla bean paste, bourbon whiskey and applesauce until well combined. Place the bowl in an ice bath and stir occasionally until the mixture is cool. Cover and chill in the refrigerator 8 hours or overnight.
- Freeze the ice cream mixture in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's directions. In my Cuisinart it took 22 minutes for the mixture to come to the right consistency. Into an airtight freezer container alternate layers of ice cream and pieces of apple pie, ending with ice cream on top. Place a piece of plastic wrap directly on top of the ice cream to prevent crystals from forming. Cover with a tight fitting lid and freeze for 6-8 hours or overnight.
Cathy, I want to run right over and have this for breakfast. How cleverly combined.
Susan recently posted..Montana, We Have Arrived
I wish you could, Susan. I don’t have a big sweet tooth but have to admit I couldn’t leave this ice cream alone. I’m thinking peach ripple next. Hope you are having a grand time in Montana.
Cathy recently posted..Bourbon Apple Pie Ripple Ice Cream
Oh my gosh, this looks perfectly delicious. Great idea rolling your leftover pie into an ice cream. I can just taste it.
Karen Harris recently posted..Something From Nothing #26: Egg Drop Soup
Thanks, Karen. It was fun to find such a great use for that last piece of pie.
Cathy recently posted..Bourbon Apple Pie Ripple Ice Cream
lol….every time I hear the word ripple, I think of the TV show…Sanford and Sons….they were always gonna drink some
That ice cream looks rich and decadent. We made plain vanilla on the 4th. It was good, but yours looks better.
Have a wonderful happy weekend.
That’s funny, Ramona. I remember Ripple way back when and as I recall it was pretty popular. Someday when you are making ice cream I hope you add a slice of pie to it. Wonderful things will happen.
Cathy recently posted..Bourbon Apple Pie Ripple Ice Cream
Oh Cathy… this is drool worthy and so perfect for this hot weather we are dealing with! It was wonderful to see you the other day.
Pam recently posted..Chicken Chopped Salad with Avocado, Grilled Corn, and Extra Sharp Cheddar
I was so happy to see you too, Pam. We had a few minutes to catch up on bloggie news and help Sandie celebrate her birthday. I’m so happy the weather is cooling off. That was one hot evening.
Cathy recently posted..Bourbon Apple Pie Ripple Ice Cream
Oh yum!!! Pinned it already. Love booze in my ice cream and what fun to add a piece of pie…kind of a reversed a la mode. LOL
Barbara recently posted..Anita’s Europe: Simply Irresistible Link Party: The Rialto Market in Venice
This looks delicious. You must be very popular at your house this week.
Madonna/aka/Ms. Lemon recently posted..Lace Cookies
Goodness gracious:)
Monique recently posted..Blueberry Hill~ And 2 really good recipes~
What a wonderful idea, Cathy! Makes me want to whip up an apple pie just so I can make the ice cream 🙂
Susan recently posted..Chocolate Chip-Pudding Cookies – Moist and Delicious!
Very nice indeed! Bet it was gobbled down quickly:@)
Apple pie ice cream with bourbon, why yes, I would love a cone.
Sam
Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen recently posted..Lobster Rolls – a quintessential summer favorite
Omigoodness, Kathy, this has me drooling. I’m not sure I’m even imagining how good this is, but I’m going to find out.
Lulu recently posted..What’s in Portland….Maine That Is
Hi Cathy, wow! this is really a very special flavor combination! Ben and Jerry should be knocking on your door.
cheri recently posted..Chickpea, Farro and Feta Salad with a Toasted Spice Vinaigrette
When I was a little girl there was an ice cream shop nearby and the owner would take us in the back to show us how he made the ice cream…he had an apple pie ice cream that was heavenly. This sounds as though it could compete with my childhood memory!
Kate recently posted..Chipotle BBQ Baked Beans
This sounds so good!
Hi Cathy, how I wish I have that cone of yummy ice cream in my hands right now, it would definitely cool me down in this scorching heatwave that are currently upon us!
Jeannie recently posted..Blue Pea and Yuzu Chiffon Cake
Hi Cathy, how I wish I have that cone of yummy ice cream in my hands right now, it would definitely cool me down in this scorching heatwave that is currently upon us!
Jeannie recently posted..Blue Pea and Yuzu Chiffon Cake
Oh my goodness Cathy, this sounds crazy-good. What a great idea!
Chris @ The Café Sucré Farine recently posted..Raspberry Melt-Aways
After seeing that apple pie you made, I don’t know how you ended up with any leftover. But what a treat to refashion it into ice cream. yum.
ciaochowlinda recently posted..Coffee Semifreddo in Trieste
I would never thought to throw in a piece of pie when making ice cream,
but it does sound delicious.
Marilyn recently posted..Power
Brilliant Cathy. The possibilities are endless. Like you, I do not have a great sweet tooth, but the other day we had a salted caramel ice cream cone and I was hooked. I just may have to start making ice cream. Thanks for the inspiration.
Penny recently posted..Spicy Glazed Salmon
I am fascinated by your use of both applesauce and vanilla bean paste in this gorgeous ice cream! And the bourbon is a fantastic touch!
Jamie recently posted..Cool Summer Shrimp and Grilled Peach Quinoa Salad
I’ve resisted buying an ice cream maker because my husband says it’s dangerous…to the waist line. With a recipe like this, it makes buying one tempting. 😀
Karen (Back Road Journal) recently posted..The Biltmore Hotel
This is our new favorite ice cream. I made it yesterday and we practically dived into it until it was all gone. I’m pretty sure I’ll be making this a lot this summer.
I’m very happy you like this recipe, Jeff. It’s a dessert I can’t leave alone. Thank you for your comment.
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