Apple crisp is a delectable fall treat, often topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. This apple crisp ice cream recipes takes the autumn treat to a whole new level.
I made a large dish of apple crisp because family was coming to visit. Unfortunately, as luck would have it, plans were changed last minute and the husband and I were left with a rather large pan of homemade apple crisp dessert that we couldn’t eat all at once. Thus, apple crisp ice cream was brought about.
💖 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe transforms a beloved fall dessert—apple crisp—into a creamy, dreamy ice cream. It’s the perfect way to use up leftovers and enjoy a cool treat with warm cinnamon-apple flavors. Plus, it’s churned to perfection with crunchy, buttery bits in every bite!
🛒 Ingredient Notes
Apple Crisp: Use leftover homemade apple crisp, chilled and cut into bite-size chunks.
Heavy Cream: Creates the creamy base—don’t substitute with milk or it won’t whip properly.
Half & Half: Lightens the texture just slightly.
Powdered Sugar: Helps dissolve smoothly and blend in the apple pie spice without grittiness.
Apple Pie Spice: A flavorful mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves adds cozy autumn flavor.
Vanilla: Enhances the overall flavor profile—use real vanilla extract or scraped vanilla bean for best results.
👩🍳 How to Make Apple Crisp Ice Cream
Unlike most ice cream recipes, I prefer to use powdered sugar to help incorporate the apple pie spice evenly throughout the ice cream. Since powdered sugar is known to clump easily, we’ll start by whisking it in a bowl with the apple pie spice.
Measure the powdered sugar into the bowl, add the apple pie spice and whisk on low for a few seconds.
Transfer the spiced sugar to a bowl and set it aside for now.
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?! This awesome whipped cream method because it makes super creamy ice cream with a smooth as silk texture.
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 crisp into pieces. During the last 5 minutes or so of churning, add the apple crisp chunks, allow it to mix in.
Spoon the mixture into an ice cream container, add additional apple crisp chunks if desired, creating a layered effect.
I use these fabulous SUMO ice cream containers. They are double insulated and they help keep homemade ice cream scoopable.
Luckily, they are slender, which makes it easy to fit them into the door or in an overstuffed freezer. They also stack easily and the lid has a spot to label the contents with a whiteboard marker to easily identify the flavor.
As if that weren’t enough of a selling point, they’re dishwasher safe too!
Apple Crisp Ice Cream
You’ll Need:
1/2 Batch of Apple Crisp
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup half and half cream
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp apple pie spice
1 vanilla bean scraped or 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
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 crisp chunks. Spoon the ice cream into a covered container and freeze at least 2 hours to allow it to cure.
💸 Budget101® Price Breakdown
| Ingredient | Amount Used | Package Size | Full Cost | Used Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Crisp (homemade) | 1/2 batch | 1 full recipe | $3.40 | $1.70 |
| Heavy Cream | 2 cups | 1 quart | $4.28 | $2.14 |
| Half and Half | 1 cup | 1 quart | $2.36 | $0.59 |
| Powdered Sugar | 1/2 cup | 32 oz | $1.89 | $0.12 |
| Apple Pie Spice | 1 tsp | 2.37 oz | $2.92 | $0.18 |
| Vanilla Extract | 1 Tbsp | 2 oz | $6.44 | $0.81 |
| 🧾 Total Recipe Cost: | $5.54 | |||
| 👨👩👧👦 Cost Per Serving (6 servings): | $0.92 | |||
🎨 Recipe Variations & Substitutions
Try using leftover apple pie instead of apple crisp for a softer, gooier texture.
Add chopped toasted pecans or walnuts during the last churn for crunch.
Sprinkle in crushed graham crackers for a streusel swirl effect.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Serve in a waffle cone for a cinnamon crisp crunch.
Top with caramel drizzle and a dollop of whipped cream.
Pair with warm cinnamon rolls for the ultimate indulgent fall dessert.
📦 Storage Tips
Store in a double-insulated container like the SUMO ice cream containers for best scoopability.
Label the flavor with a whiteboard marker if you’re making multiple kinds.
Keep frozen up to 2 weeks for best texture.
Transformed Desserts
This isn’t the first time I’ve created delicious ice cream flavors using leftover desserts, try our Bourbon Cream Pumpkin Pie ice cream, or this scrumptious Apple Pie Ala Mode ice cream.
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📝 Apple Crisp Ice Cream Printable Recipe Card
Homemade Apple Crisp Ice Cream with Real Apple Crisp Chunks
Ingredients
- ½ batch homemade apple crisp chilled and chopped
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup half and half
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp apple pie spice or cinnamon if preferred
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract or 1 vanilla bean scraped
Equipment
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and apple pie spice. Set aside.1/2 cup powdered sugar1 tsp apple pie spice
- In a large mixing bowl, pour the heavy cream and start whipping on medium speed until soft peaks form.2 cups heavy cream
- Slowly add the spiced sugar mixture, one spoonful at a time, allowing it to fully incorporate between additions.
- Add the half and half and vanilla extract. Mix gently to combine.1 cup half and half1 tbsp vanilla extract or 1 vanilla bean
- Transfer the base into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions (about 20–25 minutes).
- While churning, chop the apple crisp into small bite-sized pieces.1/2 batch homemade apple crisp
- During the last 5 minutes of churning, add the apple crisp chunks to the mixture.
- Spoon the churned ice cream into an airtight container, optionally layering with additional apple crisp chunks.
- Freeze for at least 2 hours before serving to allow it to firm and cure properly.
Recipe Size Alteration
💡 If you altered the ingredients above by doubling or tripling the recipe, you may also need to change the pan/dish size and adjust the cook time.
Notes
📝 Recipe Notes:
Flavor Tip:Use a homemade apple crisp with a strong cinnamon-oat topping for the best contrast in flavor and texture.
Texture Tip:
Don't overmix the apple crisp into the base—add it only at the end of churning to maintain those lovely, chewy-crisp bites. Substitutions:
No apple pie spice? Use a mix of 3/4 tsp cinnamon + 1/8 tsp nutmeg + 1/8 tsp allspice.
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