Something bright and sweet just for you and I. And a thank you for yesterdays tremendous response in the Lounge of Comments. When we were little and living by the beach, and before our Mum became ill, we used to have what Mum called a family hug. There were eight of us and we would all join in and become a big ball of hug. The smallest was always in the middle. Stretching our arms out trying to hold our whole family in one go. Yesterday felt like a family hug. All supporting each other. And I felt like the smallest, right in the middle. Though as a child I was always the big sister. So Thank you.
Apple Butter is easy to make. This is John’s mother’s recipe. I have not encountered Apple Butter in New Zealand. This feels to me like a very American spread. Fill the crock pot with peeled and chopped apples. This old fashioned recipe calls for three cups of sugar, I did not put that much in though, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon cloves. Cook on low stirring at intervals, until dark brown and thick. Make sure it is quite a low heat, as it will scorch and that would be bad. Cook for about 8 hours.
After giving away some to The Matriarch and the Old Codger I decided to make ice cream with the last jar.
This is when the Apple Butter really came into its own. It is very sweet anyway so I did not need to add any extra sugar to the ice cream. It has a lovely full flavour in the ice cream. 
Easy Apple Butter Ice Cream
2 cups of cold milk
2 cups cold heavy delicious full cream
1 tiny teaspoon vanilla
1 full big cup of cold apple butter.
Chill until completely cold.
Churn into ice cream and freeze. Now I know that this could have been a more complicated recipe but I like easy and simple. And the apple flavour was perfect.
Good morning. Have a lovely day. I am not sure what today holds for me. We will have to see and I will tell you about it tomorrow at dawn. Take care.
celi
What I wrote on this day a year ago – Part Two of the Day I Melted my Mother’s Silver Tea Pot. Living by the sea as a kid was wonderful. The freedom of the ocean gets into your bones.
The Kitchen's Garden 
81 responses to “Easy Apple Butter Ice-cream”
You’ve returned the love with the apple butter and icecream, and last year’s posts had me dreaming about weetbix with butter, peanut butter & honey (whipped together is my preference) & crying/laughing about your accuracy with a fire extinguisher…
such a funny story.. poor guy! c
That sounds wonderful, Cecilia! I like the different looks – the orange is my favourite 😀
excellent, morning frugal! c
I would never have thought to put the two together, but it does sound yummy!
Scrummy – One of my friends brought me a load of apples yesterday, so maybe there will be even more inches on various bits of me.
I do hope you are feeling better today. The blogosphere community can be very comforting.
xox ViV
Delicious recipes, I love the way you put the four pictures together…very design like! Brava!
I’m so glad you felt all the love that was pouring in and wrapping around you! For a big sister that’s quite something to feel like a very little sister being hugged. You are so creative with your cooking! You might enjoy my latest post – in praise of not working!
http://seasonalinspiration.blogspot.co.nz/2012/09/how-to-arrive-at-bach.html
Glad you’re feeling better today Celi; some days are like that. Sept 1st my first ex passed away and I’ve been beside myself trying to look after my children long distance. When I get back to Vancouver there will be apples at the cabin. Boxes and boxes of apples. I’ll leave some for the bears and make my usual apple jelly and I’ll copy your gorgeous recipe and make some.
Group hug coming your way and ice cream always makes everything better. However apple butter is really great flavor for the fall and it is right at our doorsteps.
Picked up 2 bags of apples this week to make my apple butter…..apple butter ice cream! next on the list!
How gorgeous, C! Beautiful colors and textures (and tastes!)
Apple butter in ice cream…a brilliant idea. And I just got some apples in my CSA box!
Sorry to come in late on this: but what do you do with apple butter normally? Is is used as a spread?
I have never made ice cream, but now I’m tempted. How big is your slow cooker? I have two – a 4 person meal sized one and one a lot larger….
They use it as a spread on toast! My slow cooker would be the larger version, it is old and cranky, and gets too hot but works! c
My apple butter was a failure so at least now I have a use for it 🙂
Thats a nice ice cream flavour and your photo rocks!