Caramel apples and ice cream are a match made in dessert heaven! Make these super simple ice cream sundae any time of the year.
Caramel Apple Ice Cream Sundae Recipe
Remember those pictures I posted about ten days ago? The ones where snow was falling in our backyard? Well, we're back in shorts because the temperatures shot back up to the 70s. One side of me wants to dive into comfort dishes - soups, stews and apple and pumpkin desserts epitomize autumn. The other side wants to hold onto summer for a few weeks longer - cold drinks, fresh salads. Oh yeah, and ice cream. So, what can one do but make a dessert that bridges both seasons, using the cooling textures of summer with the rich flavors of autumn?
As I learned from the Almond Joy Ice Cream I made in the summer, it's okay to use store-bought ice cream (okay, it needs to be high-quality) if you pair it with some tasty ingredients. In this case, those ingredients are crisp apples, cooked in butter until browned, and tossed in a simple, homemade caramel sauce.
My boys helped me with every step. Well, except for making the caramel sauce. Bubbling hot sugar and children do not mix well. And boy, did they ever enjoy the spoils.
Every last drip.
The recipe:
Core apples and thinly slice, cutting each slice in half.
Spread sugar evenly in a large skillet set over medium heat. Let the sugar sit, untouched, until it begins to melt. Using a fork, stir the sugar until completely it has completely melted and turned medium caramel brown.
Remove from the heat and slowly add the cream. Stand back a little because it will foam and may splatter a little. Hot sugar on bare skin is not a good thing. Return to the heat and whisk until the sauce is smooth. Set over low heat, whisking occasionally, until ready to use.
In the meantime, melt butter in a medium skillet set over medium-high heat. Add the apples and cook until the apples are beginning to turn brown. Add the apples to the caramel sauce and stir until they are coated.
Using four bowls or short glasses, layer the ice cream with the caramel apples, drizzling the extra caramel sauce over top. Serve immediately.
Caramel Apple Ice Cream Sundae
Ingredients
- 2 ½ medium Gala apples
- ¼ cup plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¾ quart high-quality vanilla ice cream
Instructions
- Core apples and thinly slice, cutting each slice in half.
- Spread sugar evenly in a large skillet set over medium heat. Let the sugar sit, untouched, until it begins to melt.
- Using a fork, stir the sugar until completely it has completely melted and turned medium caramel brown.
- Remove from the heat and slowly add the cream. Stand back a little because it will foam and may splatter a little.
- Return to the heat and whisk until the sauce is smooth. Set over low heat, whisking occasionally, until ready to use.
- In the meantime, melt butter in a medium skillet set over medium-high heat. Add the apples and cook until the apples are beginning to turn brown.
- Add the apples to the caramel sauce and stir until they are coated.
- Using four bowls or short glasses, layer the ice cream with the caramel apples, drizzling the extra caramel sauce over top. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Kelli H
I made this for a dinner party of four last Saturday and it was such a HIT. It was just like apple pie but so much easier. I will be making this in the future !
Dara
I'm so glad to hear that, Kelli! Thanks for letting me know.
BlondeBomber
This looks so simplistically delicious!!! Love the photos of your children enjoying it as well. I love caramel more than life itself so I know this is right up my alley. I just had one of the best cupcakes ever too, and they were spice apple cake with caramel filling and vanilla buttercream. It had similar flavors to this - I think I need to make an ice cream sundae this SUNDAY! 🙂
Tracy
Goodness do these sundaes sound delicious! I could easily polish off 2 of these myself. 😉
sara
Oooooh, this looks so good! Totally perfect for fall...bet this tastes amazing! 🙂
Chrissy
oooo such a sweet little treat! This is perfect for the Fall season 🙂
Manu
Your children look adorable!!! <3
And this dessert is such a great idea! Apples, ice cream AND caramel??? Mmmmmm I would love to have a spoonful right now! 🙂
Roxana GreenGirl
the photo of the boys is precious. they are so cute!
i'd have a smiley face after eating one of these ice-cream sundae, loving those caramel apples
Rachel @ Bakerita
I'm legitimately drooling.
I would love nothing more than to have one of these to eat right now. They look INCREDIBLE.
Cathy/ShowFoodChef
Well, I'm joining the choir on this one and saying THAT looks so good and I can almost taste the combo of warm apples and cold ice cream for me! Congrats on Top 9 and sending you hugs. Loved the pics of those gorgeous boys, too 😀
Lola Lobato
Congratulations on today's top 9 Foodbuzz, Lovely ice cream!
Natascha Kessler - Heaven on Hearth
Brillant! This looks absolutely mouthwatering...ice cream, apples and caramel... I will try this for dessert tonight!
Kita
This is my kind of apple recipe! It looks like it is good to the last lick the bottom of the bowl bite!
Adele Forbes
ohboyohboyohboyohboy..simply lovely and breathtaking!