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.
Lana @ Never Enough Thyme
What a great way to use those Fall apples, Dara! Lovely combination of flavors with the apples, caramel and ice cream.
Chris @ TheKeenanCookBook
Loving this apple dessert. Pour it on hot over the ice cream then race to eat it up before it all melts into a gooey delicious mess.
Barbara @ Barbara Bakes
I like ice cream any time of year and I'd love it with this luscious sauce. Since it's got fruit it in that makes it a healthy dessert - right!
Diane {Created by Diane}
love apple and caramel and this would just hit the comfort food spot perfectly!
Barbara | Creative Culinary
Isn't this the one flavor that both kids and adults just adore? I need some cute boys for taste testers...are they available for hire? 🙂
Bev Weidner
Oh good grief, YES.
kelley
The weather has been so fickle, hasn't it? Welcome to fall in Utah! The pics of your boys couldn't be any cuter and seriously, Dara, I would gladly forgo the ice cream to have that pan of caramelized apples all to myself!
naomi
Your boys are beautiful! I love the this recipe. So cozy!
Katrina
This sundae sounds lovely. Caramel and apples are best friends...with each other and me.
Heather at Heathers Dish
Ingredients? Check! I know what I'm making tonight!
Rachel @ Not Rachael Ray
Your boys are adorable and these sundaes look SO tasty! Love the idea of a fall sundae.
Fuji Mama
So hard to beat the combination of caramel, apples, AND ice cream. I mean really, this is just pure happy food! And those pictures of your boys prove it. 🙂
Kathy - Panini Happy
This is truly the best of both worlds! And I know there are at least two cute little boys who agree. 🙂
Deborah
This looks awesome - and you are right - the perfect way to combine fall with the warmer weather!!
SweetSugarBelle
Isn't this weather weird?! It's messing up my comfort food schedule TONS!!! But I love what it brings to the table foodwise! Great combo!
Jeanette
What a dreamy comforting dessert - your boys obviously every drop of that caramel apple sauce! Gorgeous photos!
Natalie @ Cooking for My Kids
Apples, ice cream, and caramel - how perfect! I cannot wait to try this. We love ice cream during all seasons around here. 🙂
Katie
I would eat ice cream even with snow on the ground! (It's really hard to deter me from frozen dairy...) This looks absolutely delicious.
Paula - bell'alimento
Dara, your boys are adorable and those sundaes...swoon! I would have eaten every last drip too ; ) Thanks so much for bringing this tasty treat to our virtual dinner & dessert party! xoxo
Maria
Oh yum! Great fall treat and I love the photo of your boys! Too cute!