Can ice cream be cozy? Well I think so. And you will too after you taste this No-Churn Apple Butter Caramel Swirl Ice Cream. An apple butter ice cream base scented with cinnamon and vanilla with a caramel swirl running throughout - totally cozy and totally perfect for fall. I made this one a no churn ice cream recipe so that everyone can make it - no ice cream maker required.
If you've noticed, I've been a little apple butter crazy lately. I shared my slow cooker apple butter recipe a few years ago and this year I decided to come up with some recipes that utilized it as a main ingredient. I'm not done yet, but this is what I've made so far:
Apple Butter Puff Pastry Braid
and now this Caramel Apple Butter Ice Cream
I mean, this is how we cook and eat - and I don't apologize for it. This is the definition of seasonal living. In the summer, we gobble up as many tomatoes and peaches as we can. In the fall, figs, apples, pears, pumpkins. And winter is for root veggies and beautiful citrus. I love surrendering to the seasons and letting them run the show. It's one of my favorite things about cooking.
Ingredients for this Apple Butter Caramel Swirl No Churn Ice Cream
I love making ice cream, I've even dabbled in selling ice cream as a little side business and as a result have made dozens of unique flavors. This one is right up there as a top favorite. I love the cozy fall spices and how often do you see apple ice cream? Here is what you'll need:
- heavy whipping cream
- apple butter, homemade or store-bought
- cream cheese
- sweetened condensed milk
- vanilla extract or paste
- ground cinnamon
- caramel, homemade or store-bought. See below for some options.
- bourbon - totally optional but it pairs well with apples and adds a nice softness to the ice cream
The no churn ice cream process is very simple, and although I usually use either my stand mixer or hand mixer, this can easily be whipped up by hand as long as your cream is cold and your cream cheese is very soft. It also helps to have your ice cream container in the freezer waiting so everything stays nice and chilled. I'll admit I don't always remember to do this and it always turns out fine.
The Caramel Options
I have been making salted caramel sauce every christmas for years. It is one of my signature Christmas gifts, along with cheesecakes, yet somehow I've never shared that recipe here. I will, and when I do I'll update this post. But in the meantime here are some options:
- use my friend Sam's apple cider caramel (and check out all of her apple cider recipes!)
- my gingerbread caramel recipe from my pumpkin cheesecake
- my stout butterscotch sauce would be very good.
- And of course, a good store-bought caramel sauce is a great choice and makes this recipe that much easier.
I hope you'll give this no churn ice cream recipe a try
The interplay of the tangy apple butter, the warming cinnamon, and the cool, creamy ice cream is really something magical and totally irresistible. Just ask my husband! We could not stop eating this and I know I'll be making it often. I hope you love it as much as we do.
xo - Anita
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Apple Butter Caramel Swirl Ice Cream {NO CHURN}
A no churn apple butter ice cream base scented with cozy cinnamon and fragrant vanilla with a soft caramel swirl running throughout. This is THE ice cream of Fall!
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 2 quarts
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream, very cold
- 1 cup apple butter
- 2 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons bourbon (optional)
- ½ cup caramel sauce
Instructions
In a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment or large bowl with whisk or hand mixer, whip cream cheese, vanilla, cinnamon, bourbon if using, and whipping cream until light and fluffy.
Mix in apple butter and sweetened condensed milk, gently but thoroughly.
Transfer half of this mixture to a freezer-safe container. Drizzle over about ¼ cup of caramel sauce. Add remaining ice cream mixture and top with remaining caramel sauce. Swirl the caramel with a butter knife or chopstick and place container in freezer for 6-8 hours until completely frozen.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- freezing: 6 hours
- Category: ice cream, dessert
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