These easy homemade caramel apple sundaes are the best Fall treat. Warm caramel apple sauce is served over cool vanilla ice cream for a rich and decadent dessert that everyone will love!
This post was originally published in October 2017 and has been updated for content.
If you love ice cream all year round, these sundaes are for you. Use fresh apples from the orchard or your local store to make a rich caramel apple sauce. Served warm over vanilla ice cream, this delicious Fall dessert is great for the weekend or even Thanksgiving!
Jump to:
🍎 Ingredient notes
- Apples - There are over 2,500 known varieties of apples to choose from in the US. For desserts, I typically use gala, fuji or pink lady apples. They all have a fairly sweet flavor that is great for both cooking and baking.
📋 Substitutions and variations
- Nuts - Add chopped pecans, sliced almonds or chopped walnuts.
- Salted - Increase the salt to ½ teaspoon for a salted caramel apple sauce.
- Topping - This caramel apple sauce is not only good on ice cream, but can be cooled and served over cheesecake or greek yogurt.
🔪 Step by step instructions
First, melt the butter in a pot on the stove top and then stir in the apples and the brown sugar. Allow the mixture to cook until the apples are softened.
Remove the sauce off of the heat and stir in the cinnamon, salt and heavy cream. Return the mixture to the stovetop and cook a couple more minutes until it's slightly thickened.
Scoop the ice cream into bowls and pour the warm sauce over the ice cream.
If you ever don't recognize a tool or skill that I mention, be sure to look it up in the Glossary of Cooking Terms and Definitions for more information.
⭐ Expert tips
- Dice the apples into small similar sized pieces so they cook down quickly and evenly.
- Make sure to stir the apples and the sauce as the mixture is cooking so it does not burn.
⏲️ Make ahead and storage instructions
The sauce can be ahead of time if needed. Cool the sauce completely and store in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Reheat the sauce in the pot over low heat on the stovetop.
For a quick overview of this recipe, check out my web story for these caramel apple ice cream sundaes!
🍎 More apple recipes
If you loved this recipe for caramel apple ice cream sundaes, try these other apple recipes that I know you will love too!
📖 Recipe
Homemade Caramel Apple Sundaes
Ingredients
- ½ stick unsalted butter
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 2 medium gala apples peeled, cored and diced
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 pinch kosher salt
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 2 cups vanilla ice cream
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a medium pot over medium heat on the stove top.
- Stir in the brown sugar and apples allow the mixture to cook, stirring frequently, for 6-8 minutes, until the apples are softened.
- Remove the pot off of the heat and mix in the cinnamon, salt and heavy cream. Put the mixture back on the heat and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, until sauce has slightly thickened.
- Spoon ice cream in individual cups or bowls. Top with warm caramel apple sauce.
Notes
- Dice the apples into small similar sized pieces so they cook down quickly and evenly.
- Make sure to stir the apples and the sauce as the mixture is cooking so it does not burn.
Substitutions and Variations
- Apples - There are over 2,500 known varieties of apples to choose from in the US. For desserts, I typically use gala, fuji or pink lady apples. They all have a fairly sweet flavor that is great for both cooking and baking.
- Nuts - Add chopped pecans, sliced almonds or chopped walnuts.
- Salted - Increase the salt to ½ teaspoon for a salted caramel apple sauce.
- Topping - This caramel apple sauce is not only good on ice cream, but can be cooled and served over cheesecake or greek yogurt.
Toni
My kids loved it! Such a delicious treat!
Amanda
Thanks Toni!
Jeri
Oh my gosh! This caramel apple ice cream was so good! It's our new favorite! Thanks!
Amanda
Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed it:)
Lindsay Howerton-Hastings
These were such a hit with my kids!
Amanda
I'm so happy to hear that!
Kristina
My kids love it as an after school treat.
Amanda
What a great idea!
Lara
Mmmmm so good! Apple pie sundae…. So so good and waaay easier than making a pie!
Amanda
Yes!!! 🙂
Elizabeth
So delicious! We’ll definitely be making again!
Amanda
Thanks, so happy to hear!
Tatiana
warm apples and cold ice cream is unbeatable combination
Amanda
Soooo good!
Angela
Caramel and apple is one of my very favorite combinations. Thanks for the recipe!
Amanda
Absolutely, enjoy!