A recent excursion to Bilpin in NSW introduced me to the exquisiteness of fresh apples. When I say fresh, I mean picked from the tree moments before eating. I am guilty of popping into the supermarket on my lunchbreak to stock up on apples for my daughters’ lunchboxes but after trying these amazingly fresh apples I won’t be doing that again.
I was lucky enough to be invited recently on an ‘apple adventure’ day in Bilpin, a pretty little hamlet outside of Sydney, by the lovely Belly Rumbles. Check out her blog here: http://bellyrumbles.com/
Isn’t it great?
Anyway a group of food bloggers did a tour of an orchard, where it was all systems go in the packing sheds.
Then we visited a pick your own orchard, which was so much fun. We were given delightful little straw baskets to fill with produce, and I felt quite relaxed and happy as I chose the most wonderful apples from the tree.
The difference between freshly picked Australian apples and the often floury, picked-months-ago-and-kept-in-cold-storage numbers from the supermarket couldn’t be more stark.
Greengrocer 1, big chains 0.
I used some of these beauties to create an easy apple ice-cream by the fabulous Donna Hay. The Hungry Dad declared it one of the best he’s ever had, which is strong praise indeed.
The best thing is, you don’t even need an ice cream maker – pretty cool, huh?
GATHER:
2 cups grated apples [Donna specified Granny Smiths but I used red delicious]
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
3 eggs
2 egg yolks, extra
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¾ cup caster sugar [I reduced Donna’s quantity of 1 cup]
2 cups pouring cream
crumble
½ cup slow cooking rolled oats
1 cup plain flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
100g chilled butter, chopped
2 generous shakes of cinnamon and allspice
LET’S GET TO IT:
Place apple, cinnamon, lemon zest and juice in a non-metallic bowl, toss and set aside.
In a large ceramic or glass bowl put eggs, extra yolks, vanilla and sugar and place over a pan of simmering water.
Using hand-held electric beaters whip for six to eight minutes, until pale and thick.
Remove from heat and cool slightly.
Place cream in bowl of electric mixer and whip until stiff peaks form. Using a big silver spoon gently fold in the egg mixture, stirring until incorporated.
Gently fold in apple.
Pour into two litre metal cake tine, cover with foil and freeze overnight.
Serve, then top with crumble.
crumble:
Place flour, sugar and oats in a bowl and rub in butter until it is the texture of lumpy sand. Sprinkle over a dash of cinnamon and allspice.
Tip onto baking pan & bake for around 15 minutes at 150C or until golden. Cool before using.
the hungry mum 
Yum – looks delicious!
Thanks 🙂
Yummo!
It is rather 🙂
Yummo! Perfect for this summer-like autumn weather we’re having…
It is soooo 4 seasons in 1 day at the mo #crayCrayWeather
omg I want this it looks incredible.
hehehe! If there was any left I’d happily hand it over 🙂
Oh yum, going to give this a try for sure!!
I hope you do – it is worth it!
Superb ice cream! And the best part you don need an ice cream machine. Super cool!:)
I don’t even KNOW where my ice cream machine is! This is such a super easy recipe 🙂
Yum! That looks amazing! I can’t wait until the snow melts so I can try this. I also agree, nothing compares to picking your own fruit!
I wish it snowed here! But then again, snow in Sydney would probably signal the end of days! I hope you do try this when it gets warmer in your neck of the woods.
I love going to apple orchards! This looks so yum 🙂
Are they the best? So many crunchy apples to choose from 🙂
I don’t think I ever had apple ice-cream. I really like this and have to give it a try! Yum!
I’d never had it before making this either but it really works 🙂
This sounds amazing! There really is nothing like picking your own fruit! Apples, strawberries, blueberries – all so much fun and so wonderfully fresh!
Yes – fresh is always best! We had a strawberry plant once but alas it only ever produced about 5 berries 😦
I’ve never had an apple ice cream… since the apples here in Qubec apples are amazing i could try your recipe.. I’m sure it will be great and really tasty!
I’d never had it either until I made it! Now I wonder why it took me so long to try!
I bought new season’s apples at a small community market on Saturday. This is the perfect way to prepare them for dessert without cooking them, thanks!
How good are fresh apples? And shopping for fruit & veg at a market is the best. Let me know if you try this recipe x
You’re so right about the flavor of a freshly picked apple versus one at the grocery. They, by themselves, are worth a trip to the farmers market. I can only imagine how could your ice cream tastes with such fresh apples. I should probably find out for myself this Fall, eh? 🙂
I love going to farmer’s markets. Where I live they are few & far between, which generally means a trip to the city *very* early on a Sat morning. I heartily recommend trying this out when apples are in season 🙂
oh, that is lovely! All the best parts of apple crumble served with ice cream–together 🙂
Heaven in a mouthful 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
yummo! apple ice cream!
Yep – is pretty delish 😉
That sounds like the best apple ice cream ever! Really was a fantastic day out and so glad you made it along 🙂
Thanks Sara! I still have the odd apple or two floating around – and my kids [apple lovers from way back] are now boycotting them!
Making it easier to make apple ice cream is dangerous, I would eat in a second 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Ooops – sorry CCU! But you know what they say about a daily intake of apple…
Hi Dear,
hmmm semi freddo made of fresh apples – sounds so wonderful and looks great on your pictures.
Guess I’ve to wait a couple of month mine don’t even bloom!
But anyway, I’ll keept the recepie!
Thanks for sharing and all the best from Austria
Elisabeth
Thanks Elisabeth! I never would have thought apple ice-cream would work but it really was delicious 🙂
Wow, this looks awesome. I just made cinnamon ice cream this week, but yours looks great! http://theoptimistichousehusband.wordpress.com/2014/03/10/im-a-sucker-for-ice-cream-cinnamon-ice-cream/
You have the best blog name EVER! I’ve just checked out your ice cream and it looks amazing.
Ha, thanks!
Oh wow. I love this apple pie ice cream. The name alone draws you in.
Thanks 🙂 Every mouthful is a delight.
What gorgeous photos!! And apple ice cream? I’ve never had it, but I can assure you that you have motivated me to make this!! Delicious!! 🙂
awwww, ta! I’d never had it either but let me tell you – it is amazing!
verry yummy
why, thank you 🙂
That looks and sounds amazing… I just happen to have loads of apples at the moment too! 🙂
In that case I hope you make it! You won’t regret it 🙂
I’m a girl who actually grew up in the apple aisle, aka tassie. To this day, my folks still have 3 trees in their yard. Imagine my surprise when I moved to Sydney and realised I’d have to actually pay for apples! Lol, your story brings back those memories for me!
Oh, Tassie! I adore that place! Whenever I get sick of Sydney traffic [fairly often…] I fantasise about escaping to Hobart. And to have your own apple trees is just pure perfection 🙂
My parents raised me well! I dream about apple season a lot! I know what you mean about Sydney traffic and so on, still got to love the city for it’s quirks!
This looks utterly amazing – and, seeing how the weather in my neck of the woods is now summery and that I love apple pie, I just might give this a shot. 😀
This looks wonderful – so glad you posted this because it looks like something I would never have thought to make until I saw the lovely photo and read your description…now, I want it!
I’m the same – at first I wasn’t sure but then I thought, why wouldn’t it work as ice-cream?! Hope you make it x
Reblogged this on This Got My Attention and commented:
Mmm, Mmmmm good!
…MMM looks absolutely delicious! 🙂
thanks! You should make it – it is pretty fab 🙂
yummy!! this looks incredible
why, thank you 🙂
I grew up in a house where we had five apple trees in the backyard. It was my job in the morning to go out to the tree and pick five apples for our lunch boxes. It’s so true that an organic apple straight from the tree is a vastly different experience from what we end up with if we purchase apples from a supermarket. What lovely looking ice cream xx
I’m always put off making my own ice cream because I don’t have an ice cream maker, so I love recipes that don’t need one! This looks wonderful … and with home-grown apples … wow! Especially love the crumble topping … what a great idea to make apple crumble ice cream!
Can’t believe I haven’t been to your blog before – mistake, to be made up for!! This recipe looks just fantastic… and I could do that, I could, I could!!
Is it lunch time yet??
You know, I was thinking the EXACT same thing about your blog! Now we’ve found each other! Yes – of course you can do this! And you SHOULD do this!
G’day! This look terrific and I could go for trying some right now!
Thanks for stopping by my blog and your comments brightened my day!
Cheers! Joanne
Thank you! Ice cream is always a winner 🙂
Oh God you make me crave ice cream, early in the morning. It looks luscious!
Oh my! Ice cream and apple life couldn’t get better……mmmmm……
thanks! Is a pretty good combo 🙂
This looks delicious! I’ve recently been fiddling around with ice cream and apple desserts… but I hadn’t thought to combine to two!
It isn’t the most obvious ice-cream flavour but there’s something about it that is just delectable 🙂
Yum this looks fantastic, love apple ice cream!!
Who knew that apple ice cream would be such a wonderful thing?!
Oh, wow! 🙂 Apple crumble and ice-cream… One brilliant dessert rolled into a single scoop 😀
oooh yes – it is rather decadent & delish. Highly recommend it 🙂