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Apple Cider Ice Cream with Cinnamon
Pucker up peeps! If you love a tart apple, and sweet dreamy ice cream, you’ve come to the right place!
There are no hard and fast rules about eating ice cream during the fall and winter months, at least not in my house! In fact, apple cider ice cream is the perfect fall treat, especially one that tastes like warm cinnamon and baked apples with a zing from the boiled apple cider syrup.
Boiled apple cider should not be confused with apple cider vinegar. They have a completely different taste, one is sweet and the other taste like vinegar of course.
Quick view of the ingredients for Apple Cider Ice Cream:
- fresh, unpasteurized, unsweetened apple cider or purchase boiled cider syrup from a retailer like King Arthur Baking
- heavy cream
- vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
- whole milk
- granulated sugar
- salt
- ground cinnamon
- egg yolks
Overview: How to make Apple Cider Ice Cream
First, boil the apple cider into a thick syrup. Cool until needed.
Next pour the milk into a saucepan and add 1/2 cup of sugar, salt and cinnamon. Warm over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and the mixture just starts to boil.
In a separate bowl whisk together the remaining sugar and the egg yolks. Temper the eggs by drizzling some of the hot mixture into the eggs and sugar. Pour the hot tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan and continue to heat until it reaches 175 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer.
Remove from the heat and add the boiled cider. Pour the mixture into a bowl set over an ice bath. Add the cream and stir to combine. Leave the ice cream base in the ice bath stirring occasionally until cooled. Refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.
Process the ice cream according to the manufacturer directions for your ice cream maker.
Scoop into a freezer safe container layering the ice cream with the remaining apple cider syrup. Freeze until firm then serve.
All natural apple cider is made by pressing the juice from fresh apples.
Nothing more is added to apple cider because the juice is already a perfect blend of naturally sweet and tart flavors.
Have you ever wondered about the differences between apple cider and apple juice?
Cider is raw apple juice that has not been cooked or filtered so it will appear cloudy because it still contains some pulp.
Apple juice is sometimes sweetened, typically filtered and pasteurized, and will keep much longer on the grocery store shelves. Both have their place in the kitchen and pantry, but today we are using fresh unpasteurized apple cider to make this delightful ice cream.
Fresh apple cider is boiled down into a syrup then added to the ice cream base.
Boiled apple cider is delicious, intense, sweet, thick like maple syrup, and crazy good on just about anything. Drizzle it on cornbread, waffles, pancakes, a bowl of ice cream, even a slice of apple pie or a spoon.
Or, make this ice cream and scoop it on top of my Classic Apple Pie for an incredible full on apple experience.
Because boiled apple cider is pretty sweet on it’s own, this ice cream is naturally on the sweeter side. I decided (at the insistence of my taste testing husband) that we would drizzle and swirl half the apple cider syrup into the finished ice cream, creating a caramel like layer.
The ribbon of apple cider syrup is deliciously intense. It’s similar to lemon curd which is sweet and tart at the same time with loads of lemon flavor. Apple cider syrup has the greatest apple flavor ever experienced.
However, if you think it’ll be too much tanginess for your apple loving crowd, I recommend adding half the syrup to the ice cream as directed. Then save the remaining syrup to pass when serving. Your guests can drizzle to their hearts delight!
Thanks for PINNING!
Apple Cider Ice Cream with Cinnamon
Ingredients
- 8 cups apple cider unpasteurized and unsweetened
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla bean paste or pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup whole milk
- ¾ cup granulated sugar divided
- pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 5 egg yolks
Instructions
To make the boiled cider:
- Measure 1 ¼ cups of the cider and pour into a large, heavy bottom stockpot. Take a ruler or chopstick and place it in the pan to measure the depth of the cider. Make a mark on the chopstick so you’ll know when the cider reduces to the exact amount.
- Now add ALL remaining cider to the pan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, uncovered, for 3-4 hours, stirring occasionally, or until the cider has reduced to a little less than 1 ¼ cups of syrup.
- Make sure you don’t ignore the cider. I recommend you check and stir it frequently. Set a timer to remind yourself to stir the cider every 15-20 minutes in the beginning. Once it gets thick, stay close by to stir frequently to prevent scorching. The boiled cider is done when it coats the back of a wooden spoon and measures slightly under 1 ¼ cups of syrup. It should have the texture of maple syrup.
- Cool until needed for the ice cream. However, it can be added to the ice cream mixture while still warm or even hot.
To make the ice cream:
- Place a large glass or metal pan inside another larger bowl filled with ice. Add the whipping cream and vanilla bean paste to the bowl set inside the ice bath. Set aside.
- Pour the milk into a heavy bottom, medium saucepan. Add ½ cup of sugar, salt and cinnamon. Warm over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar, until the mixture almost comes to a boil.
- While the milk is warming, combine the remaining ¼ cup of sugar with the egg yolks in a medium mixing bowl. Whisk vigorously until the mixture is pale and slightly thickened. Set aside.
- Temper the egg mixture by slowly drizzling a little of the hot milk mixture into the eggs while whisking constantly. Continue adding the hot milk to the egg yolks, a little at a time, until combined. Once most of the hot milk has been added to the eggs, pour the egg/milk mixture back into the saucepan. Heat on medium, stirring constantly, until the mixture coats the back of a wooden spoon or reaches 175°F on an instant-read thermometer.
- Remove from the heat and add ⅔ cup of the boiled cider. Stir until combined. Pour the cider custard into the cream set over the ice bath. Stir occasionally (about every 5 minutes) while cooling, about 30 minutes. Cover and refrigerate the custard for at least 8 hours or overnight before processing.
- Process the ice cream according to the manufacturer directions for your ice cream maker. Once frozen scoop the ice cream into a freezer safe container, layering the ice cream with the remaining apple cider syrup. Another option is to freeze the ice cream without layering with syrup, but serve with a drizzle of syrup to taste. Freeze the container for several hours or overnight before serving.
Recipe Notes
- Tempering eggs is a method used to slowly increase the temperature of the eggs, so you can prevent them from scrambling while cooking the mixture to a safe temperature.
- This recipe makes 1 quart of ice cream. You'll need an ice cream maker for this recipe.
- The boiled cider recipe can easily be doubled if desired.
- Boiled cider can be refrigerated indefinitely and is delicious served on pancakes, corn bread, and can be used to sweeten mashed sweet potatoes, winter squash or carrots. Stir some into BBQ sauce for a wonderful treat. And of course, it is phenomenal drizzled over ice cream!
Nutrition
Here are some more terrific ways to use apple cider during apple season:
Don’t miss this drool-worthy Apple Cider Doughnut Cake. This cake is easy to make and so delicious!
Hot Spiced Apple Cider Recipe is what the holidays taste like! Terrific served warm or cold and loaded with the warm flavors of cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and the fresh citrusy zing of lemon and orange.
Apple Cider Caramel Sauce is so luscious and delicious, you may find yourself buying extra apple cider as an excuse to make more!
Sweet and chewy, soft and buttery, Apple Cider Caramels are melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Make a batch and you may find yourself with a whole new group of friends.
And finally, be sure to try one of our all time favorite breakfast treats, baked Apple Cider Doughnuts.
Lily
This is hands down the best ice cream I’ve ever had. I made it for my family and now we all can’t shut up about how good it is, just and absolutely phenomenal intense apple flavour.
Tricia Buice
Thank you Lily! My husband agrees. We just adore this ice cream. Thanks for making it and for taking the time to comment.
James Ian
This green apple ice cream with cinnamon is by far the best ice cream I have ever had, and my son agrees. Next time i will try the idea of swirling through half of the apple syrup at end.
I used fresh green apple juice and i had no idea it would reduce into such a delicious sweet and tarty caramelized syrup.
Absolutely Delish!
I wonder if I could do something similar by reducing passionfruit pulp after filtering to remove the seeds…
Tricia Buice
Thanks so much James! My husband adores this ice cream, too. I would be very interested to hear about the passion fruit. Let us know if you try it!
Julie
I made this exactly as directed. It was a triumph. I think there is a mistake in the directions. I added 1/2 cup sugar to the milk mixture. And then later added the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar to the egg yolks. I think the ingredients say 3/4 cup of sugar total, but the directions say add remaining 1 1/4 cups to the egg yolks. That would be a way too much sugar. The taste and texture of this ice cream was glorious. Thank You for coming up with the recipe.
Tricia Buice
Thank you for trying the recipe and for commenting Julie. And, I REALLY appreciate the heads up on the typo. I’ve corrected the recipe instructions. Thanks again for taking the time to comment!
Twirly Girly
Made this as written two nights ago. I have a Lello ice cream machine (type with a compressor) so I make ice cream a lot!
While I (and two others who tried it) loved the apple flavor, we all thought it too sweet. As a matter of fact, even after sitting overnight in my freezer after churning, the ice cream remained soft-serve texture due to the amount of sugar.
I checked my maple-walnut ice cream recipe, and as a comparison, that recipe uses ¾ cup maple syrup and no additional sweetener.
So…the next time I make this recipe, I’m going to reduce the granulated sugar by half to see if that’s a better balance.
BTW…I have a very well developed sweet tooth and it’s rare that I think *anything* is too sweet. I can easily gobble down a pound of maple sugar candy in one sitting…and still want more!
Tricia Buice
Thanks for the feedback Twirly Girly. My husband adores this ice cream recipe but I’m anxious to know how it turns out with less sugar. Apple cider is not sweetened, like maple syrup, but does have plenty of natural sweetness. So glad you tried it and appreciate the feedback!
TwirlyGirly
I apologize for not replying to your comment much sooner. I just saw it!
Maple syrup isn’t sweetened. As a matter of fact, the FDA only allows salt (a tiny bit of it) to be added to maple syrup, because maple syrup itself IS a sugar.
So maple syrup IS sweet, but it is NOT sweetened as your comment states.
Tricia Buice
I think you misread my comment. Apple Cider, just like maple syrup, is not sweetened with sugar. They are both naturally sweet. Thanks for commenting!
Christina
Ice cream season is a state of mind. Ice cream all year round is my reality! I’ve never tried apple cider ice cream before and it sounds so freaking good. I’m pinning this for later!!
Tricia Buice
Haha – bravo Christina! “Ice cream season is a state of mind” – perfect!!! Thanks for pinning.
Wendy
I have only recently begun to appreciate (and love) the wonderful flavors in juice and fruit reductions. Your pumpkin butter and now this cider syrup are perfect examples of how condensing the flavor can produce heavenly results. Even without homemade ice cream, I think this apple cider syrup would take store bought vanilla bean ice cream up several notches!
Tricia Buice
Yes it would Wendy – and that’s a simple way to enjoy it too. I’m also loving it stirred into a cup of hot tea. Such a wonderful treat!
sippitysup
This is so seasonally delicious looking. GREG
Tricia Buice
Thanks Greg – hope you had a very happy birthday!
Karly
For me, ice cream season never ends. The flavors just rotate. And this right here is pure perfection! Never tried an apple cider ice cream before, but definitely need to!
Tricia Buice
Agreed Karly! That’s a good way to think about ice cream. Hope you give it a try – so delicious!
Gerlinde
This looks fantastic Tricia, I love the apple cider syrup. What a great idea.
Tricia Buice
Thank you Gerlinde! Have a terrific week.
Liz
What a fabulous ice cream! I just bought (gasp) a bunch of pints of ice cream, but now I’m dreaming of your apple cider ice cream with a drizzle of caramel sauce!!
Tricia Buice
Thanks Liz – it is a winner for sure!
Monica
Oh wow – this is one flavor I haven’t heard of. So creative, and what a great way to enjoy ice cream in the fall! I am all for any excuse to eat ice cream all year round! Just need a slice of your pie (any of them) to go with this. : )
Tricia Buice
Thank you Monica – this is like the best apple you’ve ever eaten – so much flavor and naturally sweet. Thanks again!
Susan
I’ve always loved apple pie with cinnamon ice cream and this flavor would definitely take it to the next level! Love the idea of boiling down the apple cider too. Delicious fall-flavored ice cream, Tricia!
Tricia Buice
Thank you Susan – the syrup is fantastic on so many things.
sue | theviewfromgreatisland
I absolutely must have this ice cream on my pumpkin pie this Thanksgiving, I can taste it already! I love how you boiled down the cider, it reminds me that I once made apple molasses that way, SO good 🙂 Pinning and sharing Tricia, thanks for a fabulous recipe 🙂
Tricia Buice
Thank you Sue – I know you would love it. The flavor is so fantastic and intense. Thank you for sharing!
Larry
This looks awesome Tricia. Great shots.
Tricia Buice
Thank you Larry! Congratulations again on your new granddaughter.
Pam
Your ice cream looks great, Tricia! I could definitely enjoy it any time of year. And I will remember about boiling apple cider down, was not aware of this and have to try it on cornbread, etc. Thanks for sharing and enjoy the rest of your week!
Tricia Buice
I know Pam – cornbread is perfect with boiled cider syrup 🙂 Thank you!
Angie@Angie's Recipes
I would have never thought of using apple cider to make ice cream..what a delicious and fun idea!
Tricia Buice
This was a joint effort from my husband and myself. We often talk about recipes and food and he’s such a great partner to bounce ideas off of. Hope you have a terrific week and thanks Angie!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
Such a perfect Fall treat! Would be so nice with a caramel sauce. Just like a caramel apple 🙂
Tricia Buice
Yes it would Jennifer 🙂 Thank you!
Chris Scheuer
Another delicious idea Tricia! This would be so good with just a simple shortbread cookie too. I love the suggestion of passing a little pitcher of the syrup at the table too!
Tricia Buice
Thanks Chris – this intense flavor is so unexpected, but everybody loves it. Hope you give it a try!