There’s an apple orchard about a mile from my house that makes their apple cider right there while you watch. They sell homemade doughnuts, fresh cider, tons of cheese and sausages, and offer samples of apple cider milkshakes. Being that our little town is right on the Wisconsin and Illinois border, tons of people from the hustle and bustle of the Illinois suburbs flock up here each autumn weekend to enjoy what I have readily available to me. So recently, loving those apple cider milkshakes, I was inspired to use their cider and make this amazing apple cider ice cream.
If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you might remember two years ago when I used Harvest Time’s delicious apple cider to mimic one of their apple cider milkshakes. While those are certainly delicious, this time I’m churning my own and with or without the caramel drizzle, it was wonderful.
First you start out with some fresh apple cider. You can certainly use store bought, but why not head to an orchard if you can and get the good stuff? :) This picture shows one cup of cider, but you will actually need 1 1/2 cups.
Then you’re going to boil the cider in a saucepan until it reduces to about 3 ounces. All measuring cups have a mark for ounces, so simply pour the hot cider in and see how much you have. If still too much, put it back in the saucepan to boil some more. By reducing the cider you are boiling out excess water giving the cider a stronger flavor and reducing the possibility of ice crystals that water will cause in your ice cream.
Once you have 3 ounces, pour it onto a plate to let it cool for a few minutes. By using a plate, you are spreading out the area that needs to cool and it will cool much faster than if it were in a measuring cup or bowl. Below is the full and printable recipe.
You’re welcome. :)
Apple Cider Ice Cream
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Print It Rate ItIngredients
- 1 14- oz can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup 1% milk
- 1 1/2 cups fresh apple cider
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Place apple cider in a saucepan and bring it to a boil. Continue boiling until reduced to 3 ounces. Pour reduced cider onto a plate to cool.
- In a large bowl, whisk together sweetened condensed milk, cream, milk and cinnamon. Add cooled cider to the milk mixture and whisk until combined well.
- Add mixture to your ice cream maker and churn according to manufacturer's directions. Pour into a freezer container and freeze until solid.
- Serve drizzled with caramel.
Expert Tips & FAQs
Amanda Davis
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Matt says
I am SO glad I googled “apple cider ice cream!” As amazing of a coincidence as it is, my Wife and I hit Harvest Time Orchard every year specifically for their apple cider milk shakes. I’m so stoked to find this blog which uses their cider, of which I have 2 gallons waiting to be drank/eaten!
Amanda Formaro says
How awesome, and what a small world! I love Harvest Time and it’s on my list to get out there this week or next before they close for the season. I hope you enjoy the ice cream! P.S. I have an old post on here too where I made an apple cider milkshake, inspired by them as well – https://amandascookin.com/apple-cider-milkshake/
Claire says
The cider I made came up much sweeter then I expected (I used maple syrup instead of sugar). Wondering if you have a variation of this without the sweetened condensed milk, or uses less of it? I’d love to try your recipe but I’m worried the ice cream will turn out too sweet. Thanks!
Amanda Formaro says
Hmm, reducing the sweetened condensed milk will change the chemistry of the recipe. You COULD try reducing the sweetened condensed milk to half what is called for, and increasing the milk or the cream by 1/2 cup.
Shelley Greene says
Do you have to use 1% milk?
Amanda Formaro says
Hi Shelley. No you don’t have to. When I write out my recipes, I provide the exact ingredients that I use so that when someone makes it they will know. You can use whole milk or 2%, but I can’t guarantee good results with fat free milk as I’ve never tried it. :)
Kim says
By apple cider, do you mean pure apple juice or do you mean the alcoholic beverage known as cider? In South Africa, apple cider is an alcoholic drink like Savanna Dry. Thanks. Kim
Amanda Formaro says
Hi Kim! I mean pure apple juice. Here in the states, apple cider is basically pure apple juice that hasn’t been run through any refining processes :)
Ellie says
Just took this out of my ice cream maker and its the first batch I’ve ever made!! It is extremely good!!! Thanks for the recipe!
Amanda Formaro says
Hi Ellie! I’m so glad you like it, wish I could come over for a bowl! :)
Renee - Kudos Kitchen says
Such a great sounding recipe and your pictures are perfect! Really, really lovely Amanda! BTW, What apple orchard are you speaking of? Wonder if I know it.
Michelle says
What a good idea. This sounds wonderful! I am wondering though if there woiuld be a way to make this with Splenda rather than sweetened condensed milk? I have a relative that is diabetic that loves apple cider and I think that a batch of this would be a wonderful surprise if it could be more diabetic friendly. I would love to make some for my son and I in the meantime though-mmmmmm YUMMY! :-)
Amanda Formaro says
I’m not sure, but I’m sure there are plenty of diabetic ice cream recipes out there you could adapt this too! You will have to take into account if the cider has added sugar as well. Let us know if you make it!
MaryBeth says
OMG…YUM! We did a apple cider milkshake last year, but this looks seven better.
Katrina says
I made an apple cider ice cream a few years ago, seems like I reduced the cider (but I can’t remember for sure and I didn’t blog it), but yum! This looks great and I love the caramel drizzle!
mjskit says
Just hand me a spoon so I can start eating this! WOW! What a wonderful ice cream recipe! I need to go find me some fresh apple cider.
Monica @ TheYummyLife says
LOVE this recipe! I’m so making this. I linked to this in my Yummy Chatter post today. :-)
Amanda Formaro says
Thank you for the link love!
Abby says
Apple cider ice cream is such a clever idea. I’ll have to try this!
Amanda Formaro says
Thanks! it’s amazing :)
Dzoli says
Other day I saw on a blog making of cider.As i have big apple orchard I was thinking I should do that.Your ice cream gave meanother push:)