Apple ice cream for the holidays

Another ice cream recipe, but this time it's apple. The recipe is an adaptation from the Ben & Jerry's dessert book of B&J's peach (p. 38) and apple-strawberry (p.51) recipes. A perfect Autumnal treat. The trick here is to remember that apples are relatively high in sugars, so restrain yourself from adding much more sweetness to the ice cream. If you like, you can omit the cinnamon. And, remember, it's apple cider jelly, not apple jelly.

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups peeled apples (Macintosh or Jona Gold are good).
• 0.50 cup apple cider jelly.
• 1 cup sugar (2 0.50 cup portions).
• 2 large eggs, or 0.50 cup egg substitute.
• 2 cups heavy cream.
• 1 cup whole milk.
• 0.50 lemon, juice of.
• 0.50 Tablespoon cinnamon, or as much as 1 Tablespoon.

Recipe
Break down the apples

1. Chop the peeled apples on the larger side of fine (I don't favor pureeing). I like chunks of apple in mine, so I put some bigger pieces (0.25-inch) aside then add them back once the rest of the apples are chopped.
   
2. Combine and toss the chopped apples, 0.50 cup sugar, and lemon juice. Then cover and refrigerate for 2 hours, tossing every 30 minutes.
3. Remove apple mixture from refrigerator, then pour off and reserve the juice.
4. Return apple mixture to the refrigerator.
   

Make the sweet cream base

1. Whisk eggs in mixing bowl until light & fluffy (1 - 2 minutes).
2. Whisk in remaining 0.50 cup sugar a little at a time, then whisk until completely blended (1 minute).
3. Pour in heavy cream and whole milk, then whisk to blend.
4. Add apple cider jelly, then whisk to blend.
5. Add 0.25 cup of reserved apple juice. The recipe can probably tolerate up to 0.50 cup, but because the juice is so watery, be careful not to add too much or your ice cream will have ice crystals. Or you can play it totally safe and just omit the juice; the apple ice cream already tastes pretty sweet and apple-ly.
   
6. Add 0.50 Tablespoon cinnamon. I've also tried 1 Tablespoon cinnamon, but it was just a little too much. Start with 0.50 Tablespoon and work your way up.

Make the ice cream

1. Prepare your ice cream maker as directed by the manufacturer.
2. Add sweet cream base to your ice cream maker and freeze as directed by the manufacturer.
3. When the ice cream seems to be near stiffening, add the apple mixture.
4. Continue freezing until the ice cream is ready. Makes a very generous quart.