Apple Crisp Ice Cream, the name alone sounds pretty amazing, doesn’t it?
That’s before I tell you that this ice cream is made with the creamiest of homemade vanilla ice creams, then completely loaded with bits of cinnamon sweet baked apples, and crunchy streusel topping.
There is nothing about this ice cream that I did not love. (Except perhaps the fact that I ate way too much of it.)
The idea for this ice cream popped into my mind a few weeks ago. I tried a couple of different versions using the same ingredients, but not with a real apple crisp. They lacked the authentic apple crisp flavor I wanted.
Apple Crisp Ice Cream
I finally caved and decided to bake an actual apple crisp just for the ice cream. As soon as my apple crisp finished cooling last week, I was chopping it into bits and folding it into this ice cream.
I don’t know when I’ve been more excited about an ice cream recipe. (Spoiler alert – that excitement was fully justified.)
I initially thought of this recipe as “sacrificing” an apple crisp for the ice cream, but after one bite, I realized it was no sacrifice. I ate this ice cream off a spoon straight out of the freezer, and served it in ice cream cones as well.
I might have even gone a little crazy and scooped the last of this apple cinnamon ice cream over a warm brownie last week as well. (It was tasty, but way too rich and randomly flavored even for my sometimes bizarre tastes.)
Cold apple crisp ice cream served over warmed bowls of the leftover apple crisp though? THAT was an apple lover’s dream of a dessert!
Apple Ice Cream
The pieces of apple crisp don’t need to be uniform at all. Roughly chopped is perfect. However, a large piece of apple will turn icy once frozen.
Making the pieces small, nothing bigger than 1/2″ in size, will keep the texture nice, instead of creating icy chunks of apple in the otherwise creamy ice cream.
Place the ice cream on the counter to warm for 10-15 minutes prior to scooping, if it is extra firm when you are ready to serve it.
Apple Crisp Ice Cream Recipe
While an old-fashioned apple crisp served warm with melting vanilla ice cream on top is never EVER going to go out of fashion, this ice cream? It’s a whole new apple crisp ballgame, friends.
If you’re unsure of it now, set aside a portion of your next apple crisp and make a half batch. I’m willing to bet that you’ll be making a full batch after that.
You’ll need the following ingredients to make this recipe:
- Old Fashioned Apple Crisp baked and cooled completely
- heavy cream
- milk
- sugar
- vanilla extract
- kosher salt
The most popular question I get is whether it’s possible to make ice cream without a machine. The answer is YES. You can make ice cream without a machine. Find the full directions here!
Want a few more awesome ice cream recipes to try? Peach Cobbler Ice Cream, Oatmeal Cookie Ice Cream, and Strawberry Crisp Ice Cream are a few more homemade ice creams that you’re sure to love.
This Peach Ginger Ice Cream with Rum Caramel Sauce sounds pretty fantastic too.
For the chocolate lover in your life, this Dark Chocolate Orange Ice Cream just might blow their mind. (It was inspired by our trip to Montreal and as soon as we tasted it, we knew we’d be recreating it asap!)
Apple Crisp Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 1 recipe for Old Fashioned Apple Crisp baked and cooled completely
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon OPTIONAL
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Whisk together the cream, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Pour into the ice cream machine and process according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- While the ice cream is churning, place about ⅔ of the apple crisp on a large cutting board. Roughly chop into small pieces, making sure the apple pieces are no bigger than ½" in size. You should have about 2½ cups worth of chopped apple crisp.
- When the ice cream has finished churning, transfer it to an airtight freezer container adding chunks of apple crisp over each scoop. Gently stir to make sure the pieces are well distributed without stirring too long and melting the ice cream.
- Cover and freeze the ice cream for at least two hours before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
{originally published 6/3/14 – recipe notes and photos updated 4/5/24}
Becki's Whole Life says
What a yummy dessert – kind of like inside out apple crisp.
Melissa Armstrong says
Wow yummy! Pinned!
Sue/the view from great island says
This is so creative, Mary, and the photos are stunning, Pinned and shared!
Matt Robinson says
Love this!!The vanilla, apple and that topping, so perfect for summer!
Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch says
I want this right now! I love apple crisp! Pinning for later!
Jhanis V. says
Drooling over here!
Laura Dembowski says
Wait! You actually baked an apple crisp and put it in the ice cream? Beyond genius!
Joan says
It's easy and good!!
mmw2008 says
Wow that looks so good!
Seems very cooling for these hot days
sheri says
Ben and Jerry had an apple pie version. The pie was made by monks. It has been laid to rest in the Cemetery of Creams….lol Thanks for giving me a chance to have it again!!!
Karen says
This was so good…
Bunny says
I fell in love with Apple Crisp Ice Cream many years ago, but I can’t find it anymore. I came across this recipe today, and am going to make your crisp recipe, and add it to my favorite 2 ingredient ice cream base, no ice cream machine needed. Do you think that chopping the apples smaller, in place of sliced apples, would help when making it for an ice cream add-in?
Mary says
I’ve made it with thin slices and small chopped apples. Personally, I prefer the sliced apples, as it’s more reminiscent of an apple crisp, but both methods are delicious.
Jackie says
I literally cannot wait to try your strawberry Rhubarb crisp and your apple crisp the look heavenly Devine. I only wish I had an ice cream maker to make your apple crisp ice cream it to looks devilishly tasty. I am wondering if you could make an alternative recipe for your apple crisp ice cream without using an ice cream maker tho. Keep those recipes coming. I literally look forward to your recipes to try them out.
Kim jarvis says
The apple crisp ice cream – The old fashion apple crisp receipe for this, is it gluten-free???? Would love to put it in my homemade ice cream at my restaurant, just need to know if gluten-free???? Alot of my customers ask????
Mary says
The apple crisp can be made with traditional all-purpose flour or with a GF oat flour substitute. Here’s the link: https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/old-fashioned-apple-crisp-recipe/ Enjoy!
Aniya Devers says
Hi Mary,
I would love to have the directions for Apple Crisp. That sounds yumee.
How does lactose free milk work with these ice cream delights?
Mary Younkin says
Here’s the recipe for the apple crisp: https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/old-fashioned-apple-crisp-recipe/ I have no idea how lactose free milk would work with this recipe as I’m unfamiliar with any dairy-free options for heavy cream. Coconut cream will work, but you’ll have coconut ice cream, not vanilla.