Caramel Apple Butter Ice Cream is quite simply the epitome of autumn in a bowl. Imagine creamy, slow-churned ice cream laced with cozy ribbons of spiced apple butter and drizzles of golden caramel sauce—each bite tastes like a warm apple orchard wrapped in a cool, dreamy cloud. This recipe takes all the flavors of a favorite apple dessert and transforms them into a frozen treat that’s both nostalgic and new, perfect for sharing at festive gatherings or savoring by yourself on a crisp evening.

Caramel Apple Butter Ice Cream Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Caramel Apple Butter Ice Cream relies on simple yet essential ingredients that work together to create smooth texture and deep autumnal flavor. Each element brings something unique to the table—don’t skip a thing for the fullest experience!

Heavy Cream: Provides the richness and silkiness that makes homemade ice cream utterly irresistible.
Whole Milk: Balances out the cream for the perfect scoopable texture, giving lightness but not sacrificing creaminess.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the base and helps achieve that classic ice cream mouthfeel.
Egg Yolks: The secret to a custard base; they thicken and enrich the ice cream for a luscious finish.
Vanilla Extract: Adds mellow depth and rounds out the spiced, fruity flavors beautifully.
Apple Butter: This gives all the autumn character—use your favorite homemade or a quality store-bought version for the best results.
Caramel Sauce: Adds sweet, buttery richness and those decadent swirls everyone loves; keep extra on hand for drizzling.
Ground Cinnamon (optional): Just a pinch to enhance the warmth and echo the cozy spice of apple desserts.

How to Make Caramel Apple Butter Ice Cream

Step 1: Make the Custard Base

Start by creating a classic custard, which is the heart of great ice cream. Warm the heavy cream, milk, and half the sugar in a saucepan over medium heat—just until it’s steamy, not boiling. Meanwhile, whisk the egg yolks with the remaining sugar in a separate bowl until they’re pale and creamy; this builds a silky foundation. Temper the yolks by slowly pouring in the hot cream mixture, whisking all the while to prevent scrambling. Return everything to the pot and gently cook until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. This step is crucial for that signature custard richness!

Step 2: Chill the Custard Thoroughly

As tempting as it is to rush, let the custard cool off completely. Stir in the vanilla and set the mixture in the fridge to chill for at least 4 hours, or even better, overnight. The cold custard will churn into much creamier ice cream, and the flavors deepen during this time.

Step 3: Churn the Ice Cream

Pour the chilled custard into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s directions. You’ll notice it transforming into a thick, soft-serve texture. If you don’t have a machine, don’t fret—freeze the custard in a shallow dish and stir every 30 minutes for several hours until it’s creamy and semi-firm.

Step 4: Swirl in Apple Butter & Caramel Sauce

During the final minute of churning, dollop in your apple butter and caramel sauce—these ribbons will streak through every scoop and amplify the fall flavor. For a more dramatic swirl, layer the ice cream and mix-ins in your storage container, then gently swirl together with a knife.

Step 5: Freeze Until Firm

Scoop the freshly churned Caramel Apple Butter Ice Cream into a freezer-safe container. Add an extra drizzle of caramel over the top for good measure. Pop it in the freezer for at least 4 hours, or until beautifully scoopable and firm. Trust me, the wait is worth it!

How to Serve Caramel Apple Butter Ice Cream

Garnishes

Give your Caramel Apple Butter Ice Cream the finishing touch it deserves! Sprinkle with crushed graham crackers for crunch, or top with toasted pecans for a buttery, nutty accent. If you really want to dial up the cozy, dust with a pinch of cinnamon or add an extra caramel drizzle right before serving.

Side Dishes

This ice cream pairs dreamily with warm baked apple pie, buttery pound cake, or crisp ginger cookies. Even a fresh apple wedge on the side makes a simple, elegant duo perfect for highlighting all the flavor notes in the ice cream.

Creative Ways to Present

For a party-ready twist, scoop Caramel Apple Butter Ice Cream into waffle cones, or sandwich it between oatmeal cookies for unforgettable ice cream sandwiches. Try serving in mason jars for a rustic vibe, or make a float with sparkling apple cider for a fun, fizzy twist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Transfer any leftover Caramel Apple Butter Ice Cream to an airtight container and press a layer of plastic wrap directly against the surface. This helps prevent icy crystals and keeps the texture ultra-creamy for days to come.

Freezing

This ice cream stores beautifully in the freezer for up to two weeks. Be sure to keep it tightly sealed to lock in freshness and flavor. The apple butter and caramel swirls stay luscious even after several days—just let it soften for a couple minutes before scooping.

Reheating

While you won’t want to actually “reheat” your ice cream, if it’s too hard straight from the freezer, let the container sit at room temperature for 5–10 minutes. This gentle thaw brings back that luscious, scoopable consistency without melting the sweet, marbled swirls.

FAQs

Can I make Caramel Apple Butter Ice Cream without an ice cream maker?

Absolutely! Simply freeze your chilled custard base in a shallow dish, stirring vigorously every 30 minutes for about 3 hours, until it’s creamy and semi-firm. The texture won’t be quite as airy, but it’s still delicious and satisfying.

What if I don’t have apple butter?

You can make a quick homemade version by cooking down applesauce with brown sugar, cinnamon, and cloves until thick. Store-bought apple butter also works wonderfully if you’re short on time.

Can I use store-bought caramel sauce?

Yes! A good-quality, thick caramel sauce is perfect. If you’re feeling ambitious, homemade caramel will add even more depth, but store-bought makes this recipe easier and still fantastic.

How do I keep my ice cream smooth and not icy?

It’s all in the custard: using egg yolks and chilling your base thoroughly helps prevent iciness. Also, pressing plastic wrap directly onto the surface when storing helps keep it creamy.

Is it possible to make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes, you can! Substitute the heavy cream and whole milk with full-fat coconut milk or a creamy oat milk alternative. Just make sure your caramel sauce and apple butter are also dairy-free for a truly vegan version.

Final Thoughts

This Caramel Apple Butter Ice Cream is a showstopping treat that brings all the best flavors of fall to your freezer. Give it a spin—you may just find yourself making extra batches to share (or not!) all season long.

Caramel Apple Butter Ice Cream Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 19 reviews

Author: Alice
Total Time: 8 hours 35 minutes
Yield: 1 ½ quarts (about 8 servings)
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Creamy homemade ice cream swirled with spiced apple butter and ribbons of rich caramel sauce. A fall-inspired frozen treat perfect for holidays or cozy nights in.

Ingredients

For the Ice Cream Base:

2 cups heavy cream
1 cup whole milk
¾ cup granulated sugar
4 large egg yolks
1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Mix-Ins:

½ cup apple butter (homemade or store-bought)
½ cup caramel sauce (plus extra for drizzling)
1 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)

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Instructions

Make custard base: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine heavy cream, milk, and half the sugar. Warm until steaming (do not boil).
In a bowl, whisk egg yolks with remaining sugar until pale. Slowly pour hot cream mixture into yolks, whisking constantly.
Return mixture to saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring, until it thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
Remove from heat, stir in vanilla, and chill mixture at least 4 hours or overnight.
Churn ice cream: Pour chilled custard into an ice cream maker and churn according to manufacturer’s instructions.
During the last minute of churning, swirl in apple butter and caramel sauce.
Transfer to a freezer-safe container, drizzle extra caramel on top, and freeze at least 4 hours until firm.

Notes

If you don’t have an ice cream maker, freeze custard in a shallow dish, stirring every 30 minutes until creamy.
Homemade apple butter adds the best flavor, but store-bought works well too.
Garnish with crushed graham crackers or toasted pecans before serving.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Dessert / Frozen Treat
Method: Ice Cream Maker / Freezer
Cuisine: American