Pear Crisp with Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream
Courtesy Gale Gand; Show: Sweet Dreams; Episode: Heirloom Recipes. When I was a brownie in summer camp at Camp Sacajewea we would make hand cranked vanilla or peanut butter ice cream on those hot August days, taking turns turning the crank. I can still remember the slightly icy quality of it. Maureen Shays mother was my Troop Leader so I suspect she was the instigator of this long love affair Ive been having with homemade ice cream. No fancy vanilla bean used here like in my normal ice creams. Vanilla extract is what the Brownies pantry stocked. My Aunt Jimmy (her real name was Sylvia) brought apple crisp into the familys repertoire. In the recipe file her name adorns the top of the card. I, of course, needed to make it my own by using pears and making it a bit lighter and more flavorful with the apple juice concentrate.
Courtesy Gale Gand; Show: Sweet Dreams; Episode: Heirloom Recipes. When I was a brownie in summer camp at Camp Sacajewea we would make hand cranked vanilla or peanut butter ice cream on those hot August days, taking turns turning the crank. I can still remember the slightly icy quality of it. Maureen Shays mother was my Troop Leader so I suspect she was the instigator of this long love affair Ive been having with homemade ice cream. No fancy vanilla bean used here like in my normal ice creams. Vanilla extract is what the Brownies pantry stocked. My Aunt Jimmy (her real name was Sylvia) brought apple crisp into the familys repertoire. In the recipe file her name adorns the top of the card. I, of course, needed to make it my own by using pears and making it a bit lighter and more flavorful with the apple juice concentrate.
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 6 egg yolks
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
- ice cream:
- crisp:
- 1 pinch ground nutmeg
- 4 tablespoons butter cut up
- 6 ripe pears peeled cored and sliced
- 2 tablespoons apple juice concentrate
- equipment: 2-quart baking dish
- old-fashioned hand-crank ice cream machine
- Carbohydrate 284.20705756732 g
- Cholesterol 1718.45875046305 mg
- Fat 167.297263255919 g
- Fiber 35.2277240018572 g
- Protein 34.1178768891111 g
- Saturated Fat 96.3272635189215 g
- Serving Size 1 1 Recipe (1796g)
- Sodium 43180.4443715693 mg
- Sugar 248.979333565462 g
- Trans Fat 10.1794021947118 g
- Calories 2685 calories
Step-by-step
- Ice Cream: Heat the milk and cream until scalded then turn off the heat.
- In a bowl whisk together the yolks and sugar; then temper the yolks with the hot cream mixture.
- Return to the heat and cook carefully stirring constantly until thickened and is 180 degrees F.
- Immediately pour the custard through a fine strainer into a bowl in an ice bath. Chill.
- Whisk in the vanilla extract.
- Turn in a hand-crank ice cream machine with ice and rock or kosher salt and keep frozen.
- Make the Crisp: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- In a bowl, stir together the flour, sugars, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Using a pastry blender or the paddle attachment of an electric mixer, mix in the butter to make a crumbly, sandy mixture.
- Peel, core, and thickly slice the pears and put them in a deep, buttered 2-quart baking dish. (The pears should be at least 2 1/2 inches deep in the pan; add more if necessary.)
- Drizzle the apple juice concentrate over the fruit and sprinkle the topping over the pears.
- Bake for 30 minutes, until pears are tender and topping is lightly browned.
A Taste of Nostalgia: Pear Crisp and Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream
The aroma of warm pear crisp, its sweet and cinnamon-spiced scent mingling with the creamy coolness of homemade vanilla ice cream – it's a sensory journey back to simpler times. This isn't just a dessert; it's a story, a nostalgic trip down memory lane, a reminder of the simple joys found in homemade goodness and cherished family recipes. For me, it’s a taste of summer camp, of hand-cranked ice cream on scorching August days, and of a family tradition passed down through generations.
My earliest memories of this treat are tied to Camp Sacajewea. Imagine: a group of sun-kissed Brownies, faces flushed with the heat, taking turns diligently cranking the old-fashioned ice cream maker. The rhythmic churn, the anticipation of the cool, creamy reward – it was a shared experience, a bonding ritual that cemented friendships and left an indelible mark on my palate. The ice cream we made back then was nothing fancy; just good, wholesome cream, sugar, vanilla extract, and a lot of elbow grease. No exotic vanilla beans, no gourmet ingredients – just simple perfection. It's that pure, unadulterated flavor, that slightly icy texture, that I strive for when I make my own ice cream today.
The pear crisp component of this delightful dessert brings in another layer of cherished memories, a link to my Aunt Jimmy (Sylvia, as she was known to those closest to her). Her apple crisp recipe was a staple in our family gatherings. It was a comforting classic that somehow always felt just right, whether served warm on a chilly evening or as a refreshing end to a summer picnic. For my version, I opted for pears, their soft sweetness and subtle tartness offering a delightful twist on the traditional apple crisp. The addition of apple juice concentrate adds another layer of flavor depth, amplifying the natural sweetness of the pears without resorting to excessive amounts of sugar.
Making this dessert is more than just following a recipe; it's about recreating cherished moments, about reconnecting with the people and experiences that shaped my life. The act of hand-cranking the ice cream, the rhythmic motion, brings me back to those hot summer days at camp. And the simple act of baking the crisp, the smell of cinnamon and warm pears filling the kitchen, evokes a feeling of warmth, comfort, and connection to my family's history.
This is not just a dessert; it's a story told through taste and texture. It's a journey back in time, a celebration of simpler times and the legacy of loved ones. It’s a tradition that I’m happy to pass on, sharing the simple pleasures of homemade goodness with those I love. Every bite is a memory, a story waiting to be shared, and a reminder of the enduring power of food to connect us across time and generations. The combination of the warm, comforting pear crisp and the cool, creamy homemade vanilla ice cream is a symphony of flavors and textures, a testament to the beauty of simplicity and the enduring appeal of homemade treats. So gather your ingredients, put on some nostalgic music, and let the happy memories begin!
Whether you're a seasoned baker or a kitchen novice, this recipe is a testament to the fact that sometimes, the simplest things are the most satisfying. It's a recipe that invites you to slow down, to savor the process, and to create your own beautiful memories in the kitchen. So why not give it a try? I promise, you won't be disappointed.
The next time you're looking for a dessert that is both delicious and deeply personal, look no further than this pear crisp with homemade vanilla ice cream. It's a recipe that speaks to the heart, a tribute to the past, and a delightful treat for the present. It’s more than just a dessert; it’s an experience. And what could be better than that?
