Homemade Cinnamon Ice Cream...and Apple Crisp!

There is something magical about homemade ice cream (get an ice cream maker if you don't already have one!!!) and I am in love with this flavor. My friend Rachel would make it for us when she lived near by and serve it with warm berries, perfect in the summertime. But now it is Fall and this ice cream is the perfect pairing to a warm apple crisp. The apple crisp recipe is another favorite that my friend Danielle shared with me years ago. I printed out the email she sent and stuck it in a sheet protector in my recipe binder and I use it every Fall. I love making recipes that come with memories, and I think of my friends and the memories of good times together when I make either of these desserts. Just remember that your ice cream maker bowl needs to be frozen before you can start. Mine lives in the freezer so it is always ready when I have a hankerin' for ice cream!

Cinnamon Ice Cream
adapted from Cuisinart

1 cup whole milk, well chilled
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 cups heavy cream, well chilled
1 -2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract, to taste
1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, to taste

In a medium bowl, use a hand mixer or a whisk to combine the milk and sugar until the sugar is dissolved, about 1-2 minutes on low speed. Stir in the heavy cream, then the vanilla and cinnamon to taste. Get your ice cream maker ready (insert bowl from freezer) and turn it on. Pour the mixture into the freezer bowl while it is on and let it run until thickened, about 20-22 minutes. The ice cream will have a soft, cream texture. Go ahead and taste it and see how wonderful it is. Transfer to an airtight container and place in freezer for about four hours. Remove from the freezer about 10 minutes before serving. Delicious. Can you see those specks of cinnamon? GO BUY AN ICE CREAM MAKER! Tell your husband you NEED it so you can make him wonderful flavors to go with his favorite desserts. And if that does work, tell him you NEED it for the kid's sake because it is nutritionally much healthier than store bought ice cream which is full of artificial flavors and preservatives. If that doesn't work, lie, cheat or steal. Just kidding. Put it on your wish list for Christmas and spend every week until Christmas dropping hints. Okay, now on to apple crisp.
Apple Crisp

6 cups of sliced apples (McIntosh, Cortland, Macoun or your favorite variety will work)
1 tsp cinnamon
1 Tbsp water
1 tsp lemon juice
1 cup rolled oats
3/4 cup flour
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) softened butter

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Peel and slice apples and place in an ungreased 8x8 (or 9x9) baking dish. Sprinkle the cinnamon, water and lemon juice over the apples and gently mix. In a separate bowl combine oats, flour and brown sugar. Cut butter into mixture with a fork or pastry blender. Sprinkle the mixture over the apples and bake for 25-30 minutes or until top is browned and bubbling.

This recipe is easily doubled - just bake in a 9 by 13 pan instead.

Serve warm with homemade cinnamon ice cream. Enjoy. I love Fall.