Ultimate No-Churn Pumpkin Spice Latte Ice Cream with Crispy Gingersnap Crumble
Gone are the days when ‘basic’ was an insult; today, it’s a badge of honor for anyone who wholeheartedly embraces the joy of fall. And what better way to celebrate the season than with a delightful twist on a classic? Introducing our **Pumpkin Spice Latte Ice Cream with Gingersnap Crumble** – a creamy, dreamy, no-churn sensation that captures the essence of your favorite fall beverage in a refreshingly frozen form. Forget the warm mug for a moment; this melt-in-your-mouth treat infused with rich pumpkin spice and a hint of robust espresso is here to redefine your autumn dessert experience. Topped with a perfectly crunchy, subtly spicy gingersnap crumble, it’s the ultimate indulgence that’s both familiar and exciting. Get ready to scoop into the coziest, coolest dessert of the season – because being ‘basic’ has never tasted so good.
Embracing Your Inner “Basic”: Fall Fun Without Judgment
Alright, my fellow fall fanatics, where are all my ‘basic gals’ at? And by ‘basic,’ I mean those of us who unapologetically revel in the simple, comforting pleasures of autumn. I’m right there with you! There’s absolutely no shame in wanting to don your coziest flannel shirt, pair it with those perfectly broken-in leather boots and comfy leggings, and wrap yourself in an oversized scarf. And yes, sometimes, that ensemble is accompanied by a leisurely latte sip, perhaps even while planning a bottomless mimosa brunch with your dearest gal pals. If that sounds like your ideal fall afternoon, then you know exactly the vibe we’re channeling here.
This isn’t just about a drink or a dessert; it’s about embracing the season with open arms, enjoying the comforting traditions, and finding joy in the simple things that make autumn so special. So, if you, like me, occasionally find yourself leaning into these delightful ‘basic’ tendencies, then prepare for a dessert that truly understands and celebrates you. No judgments here, just pure, unadulterated fall bliss!
Why a Frozen PSL is Your New Fall Obsession
It’s precisely this delightful ‘basic’ inclination that truly sparked the inspiration for this incredible ice cream recipe. While I adore the idea of a warm, spiced latte, I confess, I’m not always a traditional PSL drinker myself. My palate often craves that quintessential pumpkin spice flavor in other forms, and sometimes, a warm beverage just isn’t what the weather calls for, especially when autumn still brings those unexpectedly warm days. But my love for espresso? That’s unwavering. And as soon as fall hints at its arrival, I yearn to combine that rich coffee note with the warming embrace of pumpkin spice. So, the question became: how can I get my pumpkin spice and espresso fix when the temperatures are still soaring, but my heart yearns for fall?
And so, voilà! The Pumpkin Spice Latte Ice Cream emerged as the perfect culinary hero! Here in Denver, the early fall often teases us with glorious sunshine and temperatures that can easily climb into the 80s or even 90s, even in September or October. A warm, steaming latte might sound appealing in theory, but in practice, it’s often the last thing you want on a hot afternoon. This disparity between the calendar and the thermometer led to a delicious revelation: why not take the beloved PSL concept and elevate it to frozen heights of pure deliciousness? Instead of a steaming cup, imagine a perfectly chilled, scoopable treat that delivers all the iconic flavors of autumn without making you break a sweat. This no-churn ice cream is exactly that – a refreshing, innovative way to enjoy fall’s signature flavors, regardless of the temperature outside. It’s a game-changer for anyone who loves fall but lives somewhere where summer lingers just a little too long.
The Magic of No-Churn: Creamy, Dreamy, and Oh-So-Easy
The beauty of this recipe lies not only in its sensational flavor but also in its sheer simplicity: it’s a **no-churn ice cream**, meaning you don’t even need a fancy ice cream maker to create this luxurious dessert! This makes it incredibly accessible for any home cook, regardless of their kitchen gadget collection. The ice cream base is generously infused with a potent blend of **pumpkin pie spice**, giving it that unmistakable aroma and taste of fall, reminiscent of cozy evenings and spiced treats. Alongside this, a measured amount of **instant espresso** is folded in, providing that authentic coffee house depth and complexity, truly making it taste like a frozen latte. It’s a cool, sweet, and wonderfully spiced experience that captures the essence of a warm drink in an entirely new, delightful format.
But the indulgence doesn’t stop there. To elevate this frozen delight, we add a generous topping of **crunchy gingersnap crumble**. This isn’t just any crumble; it’s a vibrant textural party in your mouth! The gingersnap cookies, combined with a touch of brown sugar and melted butter, transform into a sweet and spicy topping that perfectly complements the creamy ice cream. The crisp snap of the ginger cookies provides a fantastic contrast to the smooth, rich ice cream, creating a harmonious balance of flavors and textures with every spoonful. It’s the perfect blend of warmth and coolness, sweetness and spice, all in one irresistible bowl. So, don’t hesitate – gather your ingredients and prepare to fall in love with your new favorite autumn dessert!
So, what are you waiting for? Head to the store, grab these simple ingredients, and prepare to embark on a culinary journey that will have you living off this incredible ice cream throughout the entire fall season. It’s truly that good, and that easy to make!
Essential Kitchen Tools for Your No-Churn PSL Ice Cream
Achieving that perfect creamy texture and delightful gingersnap crumble for your Pumpkin Spice Latte Ice Cream is even easier with the right tools. While this is a no-churn recipe, a few kitchen staples can make the process smoother and more enjoyable. Here are my tried-and-true “must-haves” for creating this fall masterpiece:
My Go-To Stand Mixer
My **professional stand mixer** isn’t just a kitchen appliance; it’s a culinary workhorse and arguably the best gift my partner has ever given me. It’s so indispensable that it’s the only appliance I permit to permanently grace my kitchen counter, ready for action at a moment’s notice. For this no-churn ice cream, it makes whipping the heavy cream to stiff peaks an absolute breeze, saving you arm strength and ensuring a perfectly airy base for your frozen treat. Its powerful motor and various attachments make it versatile for countless baking and cooking adventures, but its role in achieving that fluffy, whipped cream texture for our PSL ice cream is paramount. Using a stand mixer ensures consistent results, creating the light, voluminous cream that is critical for a smooth, no-churn ice cream texture.
Reliable Mixing Bowls
A reliable **set of mixing bowls** is the cornerstone of any well-equipped kitchen, and they are absolutely essential for whipping up the base of this creamy ice cream! You’ll need one large bowl for combining the sweetened condensed milk mixture, allowing all the pumpkin spice and espresso flavors to meld beautifully. You’ll also need another, equally spacious bowl for expertly whipping your cold heavy cream to stiff, fluffy peaks. Having different sizes allows for easy preparation and keeps your ingredients separate until it’s time for that magical folding step. Look for durable, non-slip bowls that can withstand vigorous mixing, ensuring a smooth and efficient cooking process without any spills or wobbles.
The Perfect Spatula
I’ve gone through my fair share of flimsy, poorly made spatulas over the years – you know the kind that melt under heat or crack after a few uses? That’s why I swear by **this particular spatula**. It’s incredibly reliable, boasting a well-made, heat-resistant silicone head and a sturdy handle that feels comfortable and secure in your hand. For this recipe, it’s perfect for gently folding the whipped cream into the pumpkin spice mixture, ensuring all ingredients are fully incorporated without deflating the airy texture you worked so hard to achieve. The flexibility of the silicone allows you to scrape down the sides of your bowl completely, minimizing waste and maximizing flavor. A good spatula truly *lasts* and makes all the difference in achieving perfect results in delicate mixing tasks like this.
My Favorite Loaf Pan for Freezing
When it comes to freezing homemade ice cream, presentation and practicality go hand-in-hand. That’s why I always reach for **this loaf pan** to freeze my no-churn creations. Its classic rectangular shape makes for beautiful scoops, and its durable construction means it stands up to repeated freezing and thawing without warping or showing wear and tear, whether you’re baking a quick bread or freezing a gourmet dessert. It’s the ideal vessel for allowing the ice cream to freeze evenly and compact enough to fit nicely in your freezer. The material ensures good insulation, helping your ice cream set properly. Plus, the straight sides make it easy to get clean, beautiful scoops every time, making your homemade PSL ice cream look as professional as it tastes.
A Compact Blender for Crumble Perfection
While not strictly for the ice cream base itself, my **small Vitamix blender** is an absolute game-changer for making the perfect gingersnap crumble. This lightweight yet powerful blender is the perfect size for everyday use and handling smaller quantities, making it ideal for pulsing those crisp gingersnap cookies into a perfectly textured crumble. It’s incredibly efficient, ensuring your cookies are uniformly crushed and ready to become that delightful crunchy topping, without turning them into a fine powder. Its compact footprint also means it doesn’t hog valuable counter space, making it a convenient addition to any kitchen for tasks big and small, especially for achieving that ideal crumble consistency.
The Best Ice Cream Scoop Ever
There are ice cream scoops, and then there’s *this* **ice cream scoop**. I genuinely believe it’s the best one *ever*! Its ergonomic design makes it incredibly easy to glide through even the hardest frozen ice cream, creating perfectly round, elegant scoops with minimal effort. This is particularly useful for homemade ice creams, which can sometimes be denser than store-bought varieties. What sets it apart even further are the small rests built into the handle, which keep the scoop elevated off your counter. This ingenious feature prevents sticky messes, making cleanup a breeze and keeping your kitchen pristine while you serve. It’s the finishing touch that makes serving this delicious PSL ice cream a true pleasure, ensuring every scoop is as perfect as the last.
Pumpkin Spice Latte Ice Cream with Gingersnap Crumble
ingredients
- 14 oz 1 can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 Tbsp instant espresso
- 2 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 2/3 cup pumpkin puree
- 2 cups cold heavy cream
- 13 gingersnap cookies
- 2 tsp brown sugar
- 3 Tbsp butter melted
instructions
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In a large bowl, stir together sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, espresso, pumpkin pie spice, and pumpkin puree.
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In a separate large bowl, beat heavy cream with an electric hand mixer until it reaches stiff peaks.
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Fold whipped cream into the sweetened condensed milk mixture gently until fully incorporated.
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Pour mixture into a standard loaf pan. Freeze for 6 hours.
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When the ice cream is set, pulse gingersnap cookies, sugar, and melted butter until it forms a crumble.
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Add the crumble to the top of the ice cream. Serve immediately.