Sweet Baked Life

Are you feeling stuck between two seasons? Me too! So get ready to celebrate the end of summer and the beginning of fall by serving up a big bowl of this scrumptious Apple Cinnamon Caramel Crunch Ice Cream! You’ll be glad you did as it will satisfy your sweet tooth from season to season!

Yep, it’s that time of year when it’s still hot enough for cool summer meals, but your heart-strings may be pulling you towards warm comfort food! It’s true…before we know it the fall months will be upon us. Can you believe that? Where has the time gone?

The stores are already filled with fall inspired gold and brown themed decorations, bright orange pumpkins and everything to make that perfect Thanksgiving feast!

Really?! I’m still trying to enjoy the last glow of summer and now my mind is filled will all things fall!

What’s a girl to do?

Go with the flow I guess! And for me that means celebrating both seasons with one mouth-watering dessert.

Now I’m not one to be burning the oven all hours of the day when it’s still 90 degrees outside and that’s when this recipe came to me. A cool, creamy ice cream surrounded by all of the flavors of fall without having to bake and for that matter you don’t even have to break out your ice cream machine for this easy no-churn ice cream.

This warmly cool concoction is super simple to make and even though your heart may still be in the summer, your taste buds will be doing somersaults for more of this traditional apple-cinnamon flavor combination. The soft vanilla base with a hit of cinnamon will instantly give you that sense of warmth, while the sweet apples, gooey caramel and crunchy toffee bits will provide an amazing flavor and texture combination. Just one bite will have you making this ice cream all-year round!

Apple Cinnamon Caramel Crunch Ice Cream {no-churn}

2 Pink Lady apples (or apple of your choice), pealed, cored and chopped
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 cups heaving whipping cream
1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk, chilled
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2-4 tablespoons caramel sauce (homemade or store-bought)
1/2 cup Hershey’s Heath Bits’O Brickle Toffee Bits

Place chopped apples, butter, sugar, 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla in a sauce pan over medium heat. Cook for about 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally until apples are tender. Remove from heat and pour into a bowl. Cool completely. You can also place in the refrigerator to quicken the cooling process.

When the apples are completely cooled, make the ice cream base. In a bowl of an electric stand mixer with the whisk attachment, add the heavy whipping cream and beat on high-speed until stiff peaks form.

In a separate large bowl, add the sweetened condensed milk, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and stir to combine. Then fold in the whipped cream a little at a time and stir lightly until smooth. Add apple mixture and gently fold in until just combined.

In a loaf pan or ice cream container, add 1/2 of the ice cream. Top with about 1-2 tablespoons of caramel sauce and run your knife through to swirl, then sprinkle with about 1/4 cup of toffee bits, and repeat ending with the toffee bits on the top. Cover with plastic wrap and put in your freezer for about 6 hours, until firm, or overnight.

Place large scoops of this luscious Apple Cinnamon Caramel Crunch Ice Cream into bowls, and if you dare, drizzle with a douse more of caramel and an extra sprinkling of toffee bits. Then serve immediately to your hungry family and friends!