Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream

When we first started talking about pumpkin week, we wanted to come up with a bit of a twist. We decided that a little pumpkin pie ice cream … ahem … pumpkin gelato is just what October ordered. In fact we were going to get all fancy and title the recipe Zucca Gelato, but I thought you might prefer a term that would show up if you googled!

This recipe is a little time consuming because it involves making a custard, but it’s definitely worth the effort. A few years ago we received this gelato maker as a gift, and ever since we’ve become a little addicted to making delicious new flavors. My favorite flavor is straciatella and my husband makes mango sorbet whenever he can. Today though, we decided to venture out of our comfort zone. The refrigeration unit on our machine makes it pretty wonderful, but you can definitely make this with whatever ice cream maker you have, it will just take a little freezer time.

 

Pumpkin pie may not seem like your typical ice cream favor, but it really is the perfect thing for this time of year when temperatures can go from sweater appropriate to swimsuit appropriate overnight! If it’s chillier where you are, just add a scoop of the ice cream to some hot chocolate and you’ve got a delicious ice cream float!

As a p.s. One of the reasons I really wanted to do an ice cream was because my cousin, Anne threw down the gauntlet for the ice cream challenge. I know you’re all familiar with the ice bucket challenge (heaven help us all, I did that one), but this challenge is a little more enjoyable, and for a cause that’s just as important. The cause is human trafficking, and the charity is our rescue. Here is a great and heartbreaking article about what Our Rescue does. This challenge involves donating ten dollars to the cause and then holding your loved ones close and sharing some ice cream. Not hard at all. There are obviously hashtags involved, because what’s a social media challenge without a #?! #icecreamchallenge #ourrescue If you do this, let us know!

 

 

The vanilla custard base is from my favorite gelato recipe book, Ciao Bella . The recipe is posted here.

Pumpkin Pie Gelato:

Ingredients:

• 1 recipe vanilla base from Ciao Bella, or 1 quart vanilla ice cream softened
• 1 can pumpkin (15 oz)
• 2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
• 1/3 c. graham cracker crumbs

Instructions:

1. If you’re using an ice cream maker, combine the pumpkin, spice and crumbs with the custard base and chill in the mixer.
2. If you’re using ice cream, use a mixer to combine all the ingredients, and mix until smooth. Chill in the freezer for at least two hours.