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This homemade cinnamon ice cream is a cozy, healthy dessert recipe that’s full of comforting spices (it’s also dairy free and vegan).
This dessert recipe was one of those where I exclaimed “THIS IS SO GOOD” immediately after the first bite! Of course Alex, a bit less emotive than I am, simply nodded approval and kept eating: which was just as impressive. This homemade cinnamon ice cream with apple cider reduction blew us away as a cozy, simple dessert recipe that’s also naturally vegan. Keep reading for the cinnamon ice cream recipe and a bit more about apple cider reduction!
How to make apple cider reduction
Apple cider reduction is a tremendous and original way to use apple cider. Alex originally devised this idea as a fall take on our Peppermint Ice Cream and Hot Cocoa Affogato, where hot cocoa is poured over peppermint ice cream similar to a root beer float. We tried a hot cider float, which as you could guess ended up being a white, watery mess (and yes, we served to guests…thankfully the taste made up for it!). With the remaining cider, we decided to reduce it down just a bit, and ended up with a caramely, sticky sauce that could only be described as “apple cider essence”. This is some good stuff.
To make apple cider reduction, all you do is simply simmer apple cider for about 30 to 35 minutes until it reduces down into a thick and sticky sauce. Watch carefully in the last 10 minutes to make sure that it does not scorch or burn. Remove it to a separate container and allow it too cool, which should thicken it up considerably. Then use it for drizzling your ice cream!
How to make homemade cinnamon ice cream
Alex and my method for ice cream is a bit unconventional: it’s actually vegan ice cream! While we don’t eat 100% vegan ourselves, we like making vegan ice cream because it’s a little quicker than conventional ice cream to make and it can be served to people of all diets. Also, sometimes standard ice cream can be hard on my stomach, whereas vegan ice cream goes down easier! Either way, making cinnamon ice cream the vegan way is very simple: just mix refrigerated coconut milk with maple syrup, a vanilla bean and cinnamon, and place it into an ice cream maker. The resulting ice cream comes out creamy and spiced, perfect for drizzling with apple cider reduction!
Looking for vegan dessert recipes?
Outside of this cinnamon ice cream with apple cider reduction, here are a few of our favorite vegan dessert recipes on A Couple Cooks:
- Pecan Butter Millionaire Bars
- Chewy Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies
- Granola Instant Pot Apple Crisp
- Chocolate Tahini Vegan No Bake Cookies
- Chocolate Sweet Cherry Vegan Tarts
- Balsamic Blackberry Vegan Cheesecakes
- Fudgy Vegan Brownie Recipe
- Bliss Bites
- Easy Bananas Foster (vegan version)
This recipe is…
This homemade cinnamon ice cream with apple cider reduction recipe is vegetarian, gluten free, vegan, plant based, dairy free and naturally sweet.
Homemade Cinnamon Ice Cream
This homemade cinnamon ice cream with apple cider reduction is a cozy, healthy dessert recipe that’s full of comforting spices. It’s also naturally vegan!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Frozen
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For the homemade cinnamon ice cream
- 14-ounce can full-fat coconut milk, refrigerated
- 14-ounce can light coconut milk, refrigerated
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 1 vanilla bean
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- Pinch kosher salt
For the apple cider reduction & to serve
- 3 cups apple cider
- Pecan pieces, if desired
Instructions
- Make the homemade cinnamon ice cream: In a medium bowl, whisk together coconut milk and maple syrup.
- With a sharp knife, cut the vanilla bean in half lengthwise. Scrape out the seeds with a knife, then add them to the bowl with the coconut milk and maple. Add the cinnamon and kosher salt and whisk vigorously to combine.
- Freeze the mixture in an ice cream maker (make sure the mixture is cold before freezing). Eat the ice cream right away for a soft serve texture, or freeze it for about 2 hours for a harder texture.
- Meanwhile, make the apple cider reduction: In a saucepan, heat the apple cider over medium-high heat. Bring to a low boil and boil for 30 to 35 minutes until starts to thickens and becomes caramel in color, but before burning or solidifying. Watch carefully in the last 10 minutes to ensure the proper timing. Pour into a separate container and allow to cool (it will thicken as it cools). Re-heat prior to serving if necessary.
- To serve, top the cinnamon ice cream with apple cider reduction and if desired, top with pecan pieces.
This recipe sounds so good. However, I had a hard time with my coconut milk separating when it was cold. I had chunks of coconut cream floating in watery coconut milk, and the cinnamon didn’t want to incorporate. I finally put the whole cold chunky mixture in the blender before churning it. It’s tasty but very thin/icy for an ice cream. Are you supposed to use coconut cream instead of coconut milk?
Hi! It should be coconut milk but you need to make sure it’s whisked to fully incorporated. You can also blend it prior to using if it’s having a hard time.
I followed the instructions and low boiled for 35 minutes
Hi, started with the reduction first. The cider definitely reduced, but it never thickened. Was a thickening agent meant to be used? Thank you.
I’m so sorry it didn’t thicken! No extra ingredients are required. How long did you cook it?
Oh. My. God. That sounds like a dessert stolen from the dessert cart of the gods. I have heard of cinnamon ice cream on another site too (theirs was not home made), and I must try this no matter what else I do this winter! I am so happy to find whole food recipes as I have a gene mutation that has made my body hold onto everything I ever ingested in my life. I look forward to more posts! New follower! Possible stalker!
Everything about this combination is amazing! I really wish I had this in front of me right now.
Looks amazing, guys! YUM!
Delicious! I made a cheat’s cinnamon ice cream just stirring cinnamon into store-bought vanilla ice cream but this is so much better.
That cider reduction sounds wonderful especially in combination with the cinnamon ice cream. A total treat.
I love cinnamon ice cream and this cider sauce looks divine. That photo does not need anexplaination to tell us how good it is~
I’m imagining apple cinnamon ice cream in this combo, and I can’t wait to try. Your sundae looks fantastic.
This is a true fall treat!! I would love it, especially the cider reduction!! YUM! Oh and I love the coconut milk ice cream! I have yet to try ice cream with coconut milk, but it is on my list!