No Bake Caramel Apple Ice Cream Bars, an easy fall recipe with only 8 simple ingredients! These dessert bars are a great make-ahead family-friendly treat for parties!
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Breyers. The opinions and text are all mine.
If you know me, you know I LOVE ice cream! I was thrilled to come up with these delicious Caramel Apple Ice Cream Bars with Breyers! This recipe is an easy no-bake treat for fall that is perfect for the whole family! A great addition to any fall party or family dinner that both kids and adults will love. These Caramel Apple Ice Cream Bars only have 8 ingredients including America’s #1 Vanilla, Breyers Natural Vanilla Ice Cream. Delicious!
For me, ice cream is a year-round treat, and not just a summer dessert. What I love about this recipe is that it’s perfect for those late summer and early fall days when you crave fall flavors but it’s still so hot outside.
What I love about Breyers… Their products are made with 100% Grade A Milk and Cream, all SKUs are kosher, naturally sourced colors and flavors, Non-GMO, no hormones, rBST free, and of course their wide range of natural ice cream flavors and delicious taste. Their wide range of products and flavors make their products great any time of the year.
This easy Caramel Apple Ice Cream Bars recipe doesn’t really require any special equipment, but here are a few things that are nice to have around to help…
Equipment You May Need
- 13×9-inch Baking Dish – You’ll need a freezer-friendly 13×9-baking dish for this recipe. One with a top would be great!
- Food Processor – Although you can crush the cookies by hand or with a rolling pin, a food processor makes the process so much easier and faster.
- Parchment Paper Sheets – I like to line the bottom and sides of the pan with parchment paper so I can lift the whole dish of bars out and cut them on a cutting board. Totally optional though.
- Grater – I chopped my apples which worked just fine, but grating them with a box grater is also a good option.
(Full printable recipe card is at bottom of post.)
Caramel Apple Ice Cream Bars Ingredients
- Breyers Natural Vanilla Ice Cream – One 1.5 quart container is all you need but you can use more for a thicker ice cream layer.
- Vanilla Sandwich Cookies – You could also use graham crackers, but you may need extra butter to help keep the cracker crumbs together. Other flavors of sandwich cookies would also work well.
- Cinnamon – This is optional but gives the bars a nice fall flavor!
- Butter – I used unsalted because that’s what I generally have around, but either salted or unsalted would work.
- Apples – A nice firm tart apple, such as Granny Smith, works best since the caramel is sweet.
- Caramel – Try to use a thicker caramel sauce so that the layer isn’t too runny. You can also use homemade caramel sauce. Butterscotch is also a great option.
- Apple Cider – Just a little cider gives a stronger apple flavor to the whole layer in the bars.
- Whipped Topping – Be sure to defrost the whipped topping before using. You could also use homemade sweetened whipped cream if you’d prefer.
How to Make Caramel Apple Ice Cream Bars
Here is a brief summary of the directions. The full printable recipe card with full details is at the bottom of the post.
Step One: Process cookies and cinnamon in a food processor. Add melted butter. Reserve some of the crumbs for dessert topping.
Step Two: Press the cookie crumbs into the bottom of the pan. Freeze until firm.
Step Three: Microwave apple, caramel, cider, and cinnamon until apples are soft. Set aside to cool completely.
Step Four: Soften ice cream then spread over cookie crust. Freeze until firm.
Step Five: Pour caramel apple sauce over ice cream layer and spread evenly. Freeze until firm.
Step Six: Spread whipped topping on top. Drizzle remaining caramel on top and sprinkle reserved cookie crumbs over caramel.
Step Seven: Freeze at least 4 hours or overnight until firm through all layers. Cut into desired shape. Let thaw a few minutes before serving.
Serving Suggestions
- I would suggest letting the bars thaw a little before serving so that the layers are soft but still frozen.
- You can drizzle more caramel on top before serving and sprinkle with additional cookie crumbs if desired.
- Some chopped nuts or toffee bits on top would also be delicious!
- Be sure to keep the bars covered in the freezer to store any leftovers.
Quick Tips for Best Results
- Be sure to freeze each layer until firm before adding the next layer. The layers don’t need to be solid, but they need to be firm enough to add the next layer so that the layers don’t mix together.
- When you are done with all the layers it’s best to freeze the the whole thing overnight or until each layer is hard and firm throughout.
- Once completely frozen, I like to go around the edge of the pan with a spatula or dull knife to loosen from the pan then transfer the whole pan of bars to a cutting board to cut the bars. You can cut the bars into any size or shape you’d like.
Caramel Apple Ice Cream Bars FAQ
How should I store the ice cream bars?
The ice cream bars should be stored covered in the freezer.
How long will the ice cream bars last?
If well covered in the freezer, the bars should last a few weeks if not longer.
Substitutions?
Instead of cookies, you can use graham crackers (but may need additional butter). Instead of caramel, you could use butterscotch. Instead of Granny Smith apples you can use your favorite tart apple variety. Instead of whipped topping, you could use homemade sweetened whipped cream.
What else can I add to this recipe?
You could also add chopped nuts or toffee bits for a little more crunch!
Can I make this vegan/vegetarian/low carb/gluten-free?
Here are some suggestions, but I can’t guarantee results. Be sure as always to check particular brands and ingredients if you’re following a specific diet or have diet restrictions or allergies.
Vegan – This recipe is not vegan. You could use a Breyers Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert instead of the ice cream and substitute your favorite vegan products for some of the other ingredients.
Vegetarian – It’s vegetarian.
Low-Carb – You can use a low-sugar or lower-carb cookie or cracker for the base and use a sugar-free whipped topping for a lower-carb dessert option.
Gluten-Free – Use your favorite gluten-free cookie or cracker for the base and check brands for other ingredients.
Other Ice Cream Recipes From Breyers You May Enjoy
Hope you enjoy this Caramel Ice Cream Bars recipe! Tell me in the comments what you would add to the recipe!
Be sure to check out Breyers for other delicious recipes and product information!
Caramel Apple Ice Cream Bars
Ingredients
- 18 ounces vanilla sandwich cookies (about 45 cookies)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon divided
- 1/2 cup butter melted
- 4 cups finely chopped (or grated) apples peeled (about 3 Granny Smith apples)
- 1 1/2 cups thick caramel sauce divided
- 1/2 cup apple cider
- 1 1/2 quarts Breyers Natural Vanilla Ice Cream
- 12 ounces frozen whipped topping defrosted (about 4 1/2 cups)
Instructions
- Add cookies and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon to the bowl of a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Add melted butter and pulse a few times until combined. Remove about 1/3 cup of cookie crumbs in a small bowl and set aside for topping.
- Press the cookie crumbs into the bottom of a 13×9-inch baking dish (line with parchment paper first if desired). Using the back of a fork or spatula press firmly down on the cookie crumbs to form a thin even layer. Place in freezer for about 30 minutes or longer until firm.
- Meanwhile, place chopped apple, 1 cup of caramel, cider, and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon in microwave-safe bowl. Cover. Microwave on high for about 5-10 minutes (larger chunks of apple will take longer), stirring after every 1-2 minutes until apples are cooked through and soft. Remove from microwave and set aside to cool completely.
- Remove ice cream from freezer and allow to soften about 5-10 minutes. Spread evenly over cookie crust. Place bars back in freezer for about 1 hour or until ice cream layer is firm.
- Once ice cream is firm and caramel apple sauce has cooled, pour sauce over ice cream and spread apples evenly around baking dish. Place back in freezer and freeze for about 2 hours or longer until caramel apple sauce is firm.
- When the caramel apple sauce is firm, spread the defrosted whipped topping into an even layer on top. Drizzle remaining 1/2 cup of caramel on top and sprinkle reserved 1/3 cup of cookie crumbs on top.
- Place bars back in freezer for at least 4 hours or overnight, until all layers are frozen and firm. Cut in half lengthwise then in 1-inch bars across to form 26 bars or cut into desired size and shape. Let thaw a few minutes before serving. Drizzle additional caramel sauce on top if desired. Store any leftover bars in the freezer.
Notes
- You can cut the bars into any size or shape you’d like.
- Be sure to freeze the bars until hard through all the layers. After the bars have been sliced, let the bars thaw a little before serving.
- I like to line the pan with parchment paper then lift the bars completely out of the pan, remove the paper, and cut into slices.
- Instead of whipped topping, you could use homemade sweetened whipped cream.
- Instead of store-bought caramel sauce, you can use homemade caramel. Butterscoths is also a good option.
- I used Granny Smith apples but you can use your favorite tart apple.
- Instead of cookies, you could also use graham cracker crumbs but may need extra melted butter to help keep the crumbs together.
Nutrition:
(Nutrition data is provided when available for informational purposes only and calculated using an online nutritional calculator. For the most accurate information please calculate based on specific ingredients and brands you use as well as any changes you made to the recipe. I am not a certified nutritionist or registered dietician and any nutritional information provided should only be used as a general guideline and estimate.)
Mary Ann Naylor says
It would be very helpful if I could save recipes through email.
Thank you.
Lisa Huff says
Thanks for the feedback. Unfortunately my site doesn’t have that capability at the moment. You can however copy and paste into an email and send to yourself. Thanks again!
Natalia Ramirez says
As always, delicious! Your instructions are so thorough and easy to follow! Thank you!
Lisa Huff says
Thank you Natalia! :)