Apple and Ice Cream Pie

In many parts of the world September brings show tail signs that fall is close at hand. Here in the valley we will not feel the effects for another couple of months. I should have been born or at least moved to the northern east coast. I love the fall colors, the nippy air, basements and apple farms.

This recipe has been on my “to try” list for years. Sad really that I never got around to making it. There is a lot of time consuming prep work involved (4 1/2 hours worth) that maybe psychologically added to the delay. When we heard the nieces were coming to visit I pulled out the recipe and dove right in. The pie was a hit. The yogurt melted fairly quickly but if it does not sit in the refrigerator long enough the apples remain frozen and personally I am not a fan of frozen apple. My conclusion it this. Apple and Ice Cream Pie is meant to resemble a bowl of warm apple pie in a pool of semi melted ice cream. Not a perfectly cut slice.

Crust:
10 reduced-fat graham cracker sheets
2 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp butter, melted
1 large egg white
Cooking spray

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. To prepare the crust, place crackers in a food processor; process until fine crumbs form. Add 2 tablespoons sugar, 2 tablespoons melted butter, and egg white; pulse 8 times or until moist.

Press crumb mixture into a 9-inch pie plate coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes; cool on a wire rack. Freeze 30 minutes to overnight.

Filling:
1 tbsp butter
5 cups (2 lbs) thinly sliced peeled Granny Smith apple
3/4 cup water
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tbsp brown sugar
4 cups reduced-fat vanilla frozen yogurt, softened
1 ground cinnamon, divided
6 tbsp caramel topping, divided
1 tablespoon chopped pecans, toasted
1 reduced-fat graham cracker sheet, coarsely crumbled

To prepare filling, melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add apple; cook 10 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring frequently. Add water; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes. Stir in 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, and nutmeg; cook, uncovered, 3 minutes or until liquid evaporates. Remove from pan. Cover and chill 2 hours.

Place frozen yogurt in a chilled bowl. Stir in 1teaspoon cinnamon and 3/4 cup apple mixture. Cover and chill 30 minutes. Spread half of yogurt mixture into frozen crust (keep remaining yogurt mixture in freezer). Top the yogurt mixture with the remaining apple mixture. Drizzle with 1/4 cup caramel topping. Cover and freeze 1 hour. Carefully spread reserved yogurt mixture over caramel. Top with graham cracker crumbs and pecans. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons caramel topping. Freeze overnight or until solid. Place pie in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving.