Apple Pie a la mode Ice Cream

Apple pie a la mode ice cream is homemade apple pie spice ice cream loaded with chunks of apple pie. Not only is it delicious, but it also takes less than 20 minutes to make, you’re gonna love my shortcuts for this one!

I’m all about saving time, my other half and I are both self-employed with our own businesses to run so any time I can find a way to make something homemade, but avoid taking all day, I’m all in.

Given all the window lickers, I mean, Ice cream lickers this summer, we’ve made it a point not to purchase any. I like ice cream, but not enough to wonder if someone else tasted it first. So rather than taking a chance, I’ve been making a ton of different flavors, including some low-carb Keto-friendly flavors as well. Spoiler, this one is NOT keto-friendly.

My other half brought home a few fried apple pies from Kentucky Fried Chicken and all I could think of was how amazing it was going to taste mixed into ice cream. If you happen to have homemade apple pie, a nice slice of that would do nicely, just cut it up into pieces first.

Apple Pie a la mode Ice Cream

First and foremost, this recipe uses powdered sugar because I wanted to add some apple pie spice to the mix. Powdered sugar is notorious for clumping. I don’t like sifting, I mean seriously… “ain’t nobody got time for dat!”.

The easiest way to do it is to measure the powdered sugar into the bowl, add the apple pie spice (or cinnamon and nutmeg, etc) and let it whisk for a few seconds to completely combine.

Transfer it to a bowl, you’ll need it in a minute or so.

Pour the heavy cream into the mixing bowl.

Start beating the cream, you’re literally just whipping it. As it whips, add the spiced powdered sugar mixture, a spoonful at a time.

Give it time to mix in between each addition, you don’t want clumps of sugar.

Once the cream starts to form soft peaks, add the half and half cream…

and then the vanilla, and gently mix for a few seconds to incorporate the ingredients.

That’s all there is to the ice cream base, wasn’t that absolutely simple?!   I use this whipped cream method because it makes super creamy ice cream with an excellent texture that is smooth.

Now assemble your ice cream maker, whatever one you happen to have. I’m using the ice cream attachment for the KitchenAid mixer. Transfer the cream mixture to the ice cream bowl and start churning!

While it’s churning, cut the apple pies into pieces. These pies are about half the size that I remember having as a kid. Am I just getting old, or did these things shrink too??

To be honest, I didn’t even know that they still made fried apple pies. I thought all of them were baked now with flavorless dough. Don’t get too picky with it, a few decent sized chunks will be delicious.

During the last 5-minutes or so of churning the ice cream, add the apple pie pieces. (Sorry, a bit out of focus!) All in all, it took about 10 minutes for the ice cream to take form.

Let it mix in.

Whew, well, that kind of looked like a lot of steps, but I promise you, this recipe is literally as easy as pie!  So, gather up your ingredients and get started.

Apple Pie a la mode Ice Cream Recipe

If you have a tendency to like your dessert super sweet, increase the sugar to 3/4 c and increase the apple pie spice to a well-rounded 1/4 tsp. If you don’t have any apple pie spice, just add a pinch of nutmeg as well. If you want little bits of spice, you can add 1/4 cup of these apple spice chips.

You’ll Need:
1/2 c. powdered sugar aka confectioners sugar
1/4 tsp Apple Pie Spice or Cinnamon with a pinch of nutmeg
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 Fried Apple Pies from KFC or these homemade ones, or a slice of homemade apple pie
2 cups Heavy Whipping Cream
1 cup half and half cream

In a small bowl combine the powdered sugar and the apple pie spice until thoroughly blended, set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, beat the heavy cream until it starts to thicken. With the machine running, add the spiced powdered sugar, 1 heaping spoonful at a time, allow it to completely mix in before adding the next spoonful.

Add the half and half cream and vanilla extract. Whip for a few seconds to combine.

Transfer the mixture to an ice cream maker and process according to the manufacturer’s directions for that particular machine. While it’s churning chop up the apple pies into small chunks.

During the last 5-10 minutes of churning, add in the apple pie chunks. Spoon the ice cream into a covered container and freeze at least 2 hours to allow it cure.