This Crumble Peach Pie Ice Cream is smooth, ultra-creamy, LOADED with fresh, juicy summer peaches and crunchy, cinnamony crumbs! It’s irresistible!
The Ultimate Summer Indulgence: Crumble Peach Pie Ice Cream
Summer, with its long, sun-drenched days and vibrant energy, offers an abundance of simple pleasures. From the lush greenery of the trees to the boundless blue of the sky and the riot of colorful flowers, every aspect of this season feels like a celebration. It’s a time for cherished moments with family and friends, lively backyard barbecues, refreshing fruity cocktails, and, of course, an endless supply of delightful ice cream. There’s truly so much to appreciate, and as the temperatures rise, our cravings naturally turn to cool, sweet treats that capture the essence of the season.
Here at The Beach House Kitchen (BHK), we’ve always celebrated summer with an array of spectacular frozen desserts. Over the years, our kitchen has churned out fan favorites like Peanut Butter Cup Oreo Cookie Ice Cream, Buttermilk Strawberry Sherbet, Butter Pecan Ice Cream, and Coffee Toffee Ice Cream, each bringing its own unique charm to the summer table. But this year, we’re thrilled to introduce a new champion that’s already stolen our hearts and taste buds: our incredible Crumble Peach Pie Ice Cream. Prepare to fall in love!
Why Fresh Summer Peaches are Simply Irresistible
What’s not to adore about fresh summer peaches? These golden, blushing fruits are the epitome of summer’s bounty. When perfectly ripe, they burst with a natural sweetness and juicy tenderness that’s unparalleled. In this Crumble Peach Pie Ice Cream, we harness that peak seasonality, ensuring every scoop delivers an authentic, sun-kissed peach flavor. We load this ice cream with generous amounts of fresh, smashed summer peaches, allowing their vibrant taste and delightful texture to shine through every creamy bite. It’s like enjoying a fresh peach straight from the orchard, but in the most luxurious, frozen form imaginable. The natural sugars caramelize slightly when processed, deepening the peach flavor and creating a truly extraordinary experience that’s both refreshing and comforting.
The Magic of the Cinnamon Crumble: A Pie in Every Scoop
And then there’s the crumble. Oh, the crumble! If we had to describe it in one word, it would be “addictive.” These aren’t just any crumbs; they are crunchy, golden-brown nuggets infused with warm, inviting cinnamon spice. Sprinkled generously throughout the smooth and ultra-creamy ice cream, they provide a textural contrast that elevates this dessert from merely delicious to utterly extraordinary. Each spoonful offers the perfect blend of rich, creamy peach ice cream and delightful, crisp streusel, truly delivering that comforting, familiar taste of a homemade peach pie in a frozen, scoopable format. The aroma alone is enough to transport you to a warm summer kitchen, where a fresh peach pie is cooling on the windowsill. It’s a symphony of flavors and textures that will have you coming back for more, time and time again. Truly, folks, it’s heavenly!
Crafting Homemade Ice Cream: A Rewarding Culinary Journey
Making homemade ice cream might seem daunting at first, but it’s an incredibly rewarding culinary journey that allows you to control the quality of ingredients and customize flavors to your heart’s content. Our Crumble Peach Pie Ice Cream recipe guides you through creating a rich, velvety custard base – the secret to truly decadent ice cream. Forget those icy, lackluster store-bought varieties; with a little effort, you can achieve a smoothness and creaminess that is simply unmatched. Plus, the satisfaction of serving a dessert you crafted from scratch, especially one bursting with the fresh flavors of summer, is immense. It’s an activity that can bring joy to the whole family, from preparing the ingredients to the anticipation of the first scoop.
Expert Tips for Achieving Peach Pie Ice Cream Perfection
To ensure your Crumble Peach Pie Ice Cream turns out absolutely perfect, here are a few expert notes from our kitchen:
- Quality Ingredients are Key: Start with the freshest, ripest peaches you can find. Their natural sweetness and aroma will significantly impact the final flavor of your ice cream. Seek out local farmers’ markets during peach season for the best quality. High-quality dairy products (half and half, heavy cream, egg yolks) are also essential for that ultra-creamy texture and rich mouthfeel. Avoid using low-fat alternatives, as fat is crucial for a smooth ice cream.
- Custard Chilling is Crucial: The custard base needs to be thoroughly chilled – ideally overnight, or for a minimum of 4-6 hours – before churning. This is not just a suggestion; it’s a critical step. A well-chilled base ensures the ice cream sets properly in the machine, resulting in that smooth, dense consistency without becoming icy. Don’t rush this step, as proper chilling prevents large ice crystals from forming.
- Batch Churning for Smaller Machines: If you use a standard home ice cream maker attachment, like the KitchenAid Ice Cream Attachment, you might find that the full recipe yields too much volume for a single batch. To prevent overflow and ensure proper churning, we recommend dividing both the custard base and the smashed peaches into two equal portions. Churn each portion separately, rinsing and refreezing your attachment between batches if necessary. This might take a little extra time, but it’s worth it for optimal results and to prevent strain on your machine.
- Perfecting the Crumble: The crumble adds a fantastic, essential texture that mimics a peach pie. Divide the crumb mixture equally if you’re churning in batches. Add the crumble during the last five minutes of mixing or churning to ensure it’s well distributed but still retains its delightful crunch. If you’re like us and love an extra crumbly experience, save a small portion to sprinkle generously over your scoops once served – it adds an extra layer of visual appeal and flavor!
- Storage Matters: After churning, transfer your freshly made ice cream to a shallow, airtight container. Using a container that minimizes air exposure helps it freeze more evenly and significantly prevents the formation of ice crystals and freezer burn. Freeze for at least 3-4 hours to achieve a firmer, scoopable consistency that holds its shape. For the best flavor and texture, aim to consume homemade ice cream within one to two weeks, though this delicious treat rarely lasts that long!
- Embrace the “Smash”: The recipe calls for smashing the peach slices with a potato masher. This creates small, delicious chunks of fruit that are perfectly dispersed throughout the ice cream, offering bursts of natural peach flavor in every bite. Avoid pureeing the peaches completely, as those small, tender chunks are an integral part of the “pie” experience, adding both texture and concentrated flavor.
Serving Suggestions and Delicious Variations
This Crumble Peach Pie Ice Cream is a masterpiece on its own, but there are always ways to elevate the experience. Serve it in chilled bowls or waffle cones for a classic treat. For an extra touch of indulgence, consider a dollop of fresh whipped cream, a drizzle of warm caramel sauce, or a sprinkle of additional cinnamon crumble on top. A few fresh peach slices or a sprig of mint can also add a beautiful garnish.
Feeling adventurous? Here are some variations to try:
- Spice It Up: Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to your crumble mixture for a more complex spice profile.
- A Boozy Twist: Incorporate a tablespoon or two of bourbon or peach schnapps into your custard base after it’s cooled (before chilling) for an adult-friendly version.
- Berry Bliss: Swirl in some raspberry or blackberry preserves during the last few minutes of churning for a multi-fruit flavor.
- Nutty Crunch: Add chopped toasted pecans or walnuts to your crumble for an extra layer of nutty flavor and crunch.
- Pie A La Mode Upgrade: Serve a scoop (or two!) of this ice cream alongside a warm slice of actual peach pie for the ultimate dessert experience!
Frequently Asked Questions About Homemade Peach Ice Cream
Can I use frozen peaches for this recipe?
While fresh peaches are highly recommended for their superior flavor and texture, you can use frozen peaches as an alternative when fresh ones are out of season. Thaw them completely, drain any excess liquid to prevent an icy ice cream, and then smash them as directed in the recipe.
How long will homemade Crumble Peach Pie Ice Cream last in the freezer?
For optimal flavor and texture, homemade ice cream is best enjoyed within 1-2 weeks. After this, it may start to develop ice crystals and lose some of its creamy consistency. Always store it in an airtight container to minimize freezer burn.
Do I need a special ice cream maker to make this?
Yes, this recipe is designed for use with an ice cream maker, which churns the mixture as it freezes, creating a smooth, creamy texture. While there are some “no-churn” ice cream recipes, they typically yield a different texture. For the best results mirroring commercial ice cream, an ice cream machine is essential.
How can I prevent ice crystals from forming in my homemade ice cream?
Several factors help prevent ice crystals: ensuring your custard base is cooked to the correct temperature and properly chilled overnight, churning the mixture in a very cold ice cream machine according to manufacturer’s instructions, and storing the finished ice cream in a shallow, airtight container in the coldest part of your freezer.
We hope this Crumble Peach Pie Ice Cream becomes your new favorite summer treat, just as it has become ours. It’s the perfect blend of creamy, sweet, and crunchy, evoking all the best memories of warm weather and homemade desserts. Happy Summer, and enjoy every blissful scoop!
Crumble Peach Pie Ice Cream
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Ingredients
Custard
- 3 cups half and half
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 large egg yolks
- 1 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 3 cups fresh peeled peach slices, smashed with a potato masher (small chunks are good)
Crumble
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
- 2 Tbsp. granulated sugar
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- pinch of salt
- 8 Tbsp. butter, melted and cooled
Instructions
Custard
- Combine the half and half and heavy cream in medium saucepan. Heat over medium heat stirring occasionally. Bring the mixture to a simmer then remove from heat and set aside.
- Whisk the egg yolks in a medium bowl until light in color and smooth. Add the sugar slowly and whisk to combine. Add the cream mixture to the egg mixture in small amounts until you have included about half the mixture. Whisk in the remainder of the cream mixture and return to the saucepan over low heat. Cook, stirring often until mixture reaches 175 degrees. At this stage the mixture will be slightly thickened and will coat the back of a spoon. Remove from heat and divide evenly into two separate containers. Let cool on counter for 30 minutes. Stir one teaspoon vanilla into each container along with smashed peaches that have been divided evenly. Cover and place in refrigerator overnight.
- Pour into an ice cream maker and process according to the manufacturer’s directions. (about 20-30 minutes depending on your machine) Add half of the crumb (or a bit less if you want to save some to sprinkle on top) during the last 5 minutes of mixing. Place mixture in a shallow airtight container and freeze for 3-4 hours for a firmer consistency.
- Wash the ice cream attachment and refreeze. When frozen repeat with remaining custard and crumbs.
Crumbs
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a medium bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon and salt. Stir in the butter with a fork until just crumbly. Spread mixture on a large baking sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes. Remove from oven. Use a spatula to break up the crumbs into medium chunks. Let cool.