Homemade Apple Crumble Ice Cream: Your Ultimate Autumn Indulgence

Delicious Homemade Apple Crumble Ice Cream

Last week marked a significant milestone for my fiancé and me: we officially became homeowners! This ‘very grown-up thing’ fills us with a unique blend of excitement and trepidation. Our new abode, a terraced ex-council house from the 1960s, is undeniably a fixer-upper. It boasts an intriguing combination of questionable design choices and a décor scheme that can only be described as a visual assault. Imagine a symphony of clashing colors, bewildering patterns, and an array of textures, all culminating in the most elaborate artex ceiling I’ve ever encountered – painted an alarming shade of peach, no less! While the aesthetic is certainly a challenge, the house is now truly ours, a blank canvas awaiting our personal touch and creative vision. The best part? We’ve already been living here for a while, so there’s no stressful move on the horizon, just the exciting prospect of transforming this inherited space into our dream home, reflecting our own style and comforts.

The journey ahead promises to be a slow, painstaking, and undoubtedly frustrating process. We anticipate countless hours dedicated to stripping layers upon layers of wallpaper – a seemingly endless task that will reveal the history hidden beneath. Major upgrades like a completely new kitchen and a modern bathroom are high on our extensive wish list, but these drastic improvements will require some serious saving. For now, I’ll have to endure my less-than-ideal oven a while longer, though the thought of finally getting a functional, modern kitchen tailored to our needs keeps the spirits high and the long-term goal firmly in mind. This new chapter is about more than just owning property; it’s about building a future together, one DIY project and one delicious, comforting meal at a time, finding joy in small victories and sweet indulgences amidst the ongoing renovation chaos.

As the days grow shorter and the leaves begin their magnificent transformation, autumn has truly settled in. There’s a distinct crispness in the air, carried by a strong, invigorating breeze that signals the arrival of cooler weather. This season always inspires a yearning for warmth and comfort, drawing us towards cozy evenings and hearty, flavorful dishes. Our garden, generously laden with ripe fruit, reflects this autumnal bounty, offering a treasure trove of cooking apples just begging to be picked and transformed. The sheer abundance of these fresh, tart apples provided the perfect inspiration for a seasonal treat.

Coincidentally, I also found myself with a delightful surplus of egg yolks after whipping up a batch of meringues (a recipe I promise to share very soon!). For any keen baker, leftover egg yolks immediately bring one glorious thought to mind: homemade ice cream! This happy coincidence sparked the idea for a dessert that perfectly encapsulates the essence of the season: Apple Crumble Ice Cream. It’s a dessert that takes all the beloved, heartwarming flavors of a classic apple crumble and ingeniously marries them into a refreshingly creamy, yet deeply comforting, frozen indulgence.

Imagine a rich, sweet vanilla custard, meticulously prepared and infused with the bright, tart notes of homemade apple puree, subtly spiced with a hint of warming cinnamon. This smooth, flavorful base is then patiently churned to perfection, creating an incredibly creamy texture that melts deliciously on the tongue. But the magic doesn’t stop there. Just as the ice cream reaches its ideal consistency, a generous helping of crisp, buttery, golden-baked crumble pieces are gently folded through. These textural gems provide a delightful contrast, adding pockets of crunchy sweetness that mimic the iconic topping of a traditional apple crumble. The combination is simply irresistible – a symphony of creamy, tart, sweet, and crunchy that makes this homemade apple crumble ice cream utterly addictive and the perfect autumn dessert. It’s a taste of home, a comforting embrace, and a delicious way to celebrate the season’s harvest.

Apple Crumble Ice Cream

Author Domestic Gothess

Ingredients

Apples:

About 550g tart apples (19.5oz) unprepared weight, bramleys are best
25 g ((2 tbsp)) butter
50 g ((¼ cup + 1 tsp)) light brown soft sugar
½ tsp cinnamon

Custard:

300 ml (1 + ¼ cups) double cream
300 ml (1 + ¼ cups) full fat milk
120 g (½ cup + 2tbsp) caster sugar
6 egg yolks
1 tsp vanilla extract
pinch salt

Crumble:

120 g (1 cup) plain flour
65 g (¼ cup) butter
65 g (⅓ cup) sugar

Instructions

Peel, core and dice the apples. Place in a pan along with the butter, sugar, cinnamon and a splash of water. Simmer for about 10-15 minutes until the apples are very soft. You can add a bit more water if needed but it should be fairly dry. Use a stick blender to puree the cooked apples until they are completely smooth. Cover and set aside.
Pour the cream into a large bowl and set a fine mesh sieve over the top. Heat the milk and sugar together in a saucepan until just coming up to the boil.
Meanwhile, whisk together the egg yolks in a heatproof bowl. Gradually pour the hot milk into the egg yolks, whisking constantly. Pour the mixture back into the pan.
Cook over a low heat, stirring constantly until the custard has thickened, don’t allow it to get too hot or it will scramble. Pour the custard through the sieve into the cream and whisk together. Whisk in the vanilla, salt and apple puree. Cover and refrigerate until completely cold.
While the custard is chilling make the crumble. Preheat the oven to 190C/375F/gas mark 5. Place the flour in a bowl and rub in the butter using your fingertips until it resembles wet sand. Stir in the sugar.
Spread the mixture out in a thin layer on a baking tray, press it down gently but don’t pack it too firmly together. Bake for 10-15 minutes until golden then remove from the oven and leave to cool.
Churn the chilled custard in an ice cream machine according to the manufacturers instructions. About a minute before it has finished churning add most of the crumble, breaking up any larger pieces.
Transfer the ice cream to a lidded container, scatter over the remaining crumble and freeze until firm.

This homemade apple crumble ice cream isn’t just a dessert; it’s an experience. Each spoonful delivers a harmonious blend of creamy, sweet custard, tangy apple, and the satisfying crunch of golden crumble. It’s the perfect treat to enjoy as the evenings draw in, offering a comforting embrace that reminds you of home and simpler pleasures. Whether you serve it on its own, perhaps with an extra sprinkling of freshly baked crumble for added indulgence, or as a delightful accompaniment to a warm slice of apple pie, it’s guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. The depth of flavor from the slow-cooked apples and the richness of the vanilla custard, combined with the delightful texture of the crumble, truly elevates this from a simple ice cream to an unforgettable seasonal delight.

Crafting this dessert from scratch, especially with garden-fresh apples, brings a unique sense of accomplishment and joy, much like envisioning the transformation of our new home. It’s a testament to the power of delicious food to provide comfort and create wonderful memories, even amidst the exciting chaos of a renovation project. So, next time you have an abundance of apples, or simply a craving for something truly special, I wholeheartedly encourage you to give this apple crumble ice cream recipe a try. You won’t be disappointed by this wonderfully unique and incredibly delicious way to enjoy the classic flavors of autumn in a refreshing, yet comforting, new form.