Bittersweet and creamy gluten free Aperol Creamsicles are a refreshing treat that will be appreciated on a hot day. If you have never had the alcohol called Aperol, it has a bittersweet, citrus flavor with a syrup-like consistency. It is most widely known as an adult beverage called an Aperol Spritz that is enjoyed along the Italian coast in the summer. The drink is quite simple. A glass of Prosecco (Italian sparkling wine) mixed with Aperol and a splash of club soda and a thick slice of fresh orange floats in the glass. My friends and I have never understood the need for the club soda, so we never add it.
The idea for turning the cocktail into a frozen dessert came from my friend Lilly, who shared a very tempting video making something similar with me. She often sends these amazing videos of beautiful cocktails being made just in time for the weekend. Always making me thirsty and usually requiring ingredients I don’t have on hand. This time it struck a chord and I had the ingredients to make some magic.
Start with the Oranges
If you can get your hands on blood oranges that are in season, they are a great option. Otherwise, navel oranges are also excellent due to their thick skin and easy pulp removal. Choose the largest oranges available to provide a nice serving size for each person. Cut the oranges in half and carefully remove the pulp using a spoon. The remaining orange peels become the bowls for the dessert.
Squeeze as much of the pulp as necessary to make ½ cup of juice. Discard the juiced pulp and reserve the remaining pulp for garnish.
Make the Mixture for the Aperol Creamsicles
Use a large bowl and a hand mixer or a blender to combine the orange juice, mascarpone cheese, Aperol and about ⅔ of the can of sweetened condensed milk. Blend it until the lumps are worked out, it lightens in color and becomes a bit airy. Taste and adjust with more of the ingredients to fit your taste.
The Orange Bowls
Assemble the empty halves of the oranges on a tray or in a container that is freezer-safe. Support the oranges in an upright position. I used paper towels which also help to catch spills. Pour the mixture for the Aperol Creamsicles into the orange “bowls.” Treat leftovers just like ice cream by pouring the creamsicle mixture into a freezer-safe container and pop it in the freezer overnight Freeze the Aperol Creamsicles overnight.
The Next Day
The Aperol Creamsicles can be enjoyed as soon as they are frozen through. Serve them with fresh berries, bits of reserved orange, and mint for a bit of color.
More Gluten Free Frozen Treats
- Limoncello Frozen Custard
- No Churn 3 Ingredient Ice Cream
- Mocha Caramel Chip Ice Cream
- Dairy Free Chocolate Covered Banana Ice Cream
- Dairy Free Tropical Rum Ice Cream
Aperol Creamsicle
Ingredients
- 4 large oranges - blood or navel are great
- 14 ounce sweetened condensed milk - you may not use all of it
- 8 ounce mascarpone cheese
- ½ cup Aperol, an Italian Apertif Liquor - similar to Campari
- 1 pint raspberries, blueberries, black berries - any variety for serving
Instructions
- Cut the oranges in half. Carefully scoop the pulp out of the oranges leaving the skin intact in the shape of a bowl. Place the skins in a freezer-ready container and the pulp in a small bowl.
- In a medium mixing bowl, squeeze the juice from the pulp of 2-3 of the oranges (½ cup of juice). Discard the juiced pulp and reserve the remainder for garnish.
- Add the mascarpone cheese, Aperol, and about half to ⅔ of the sweetened condensed milk into the bowl with the orange juice.
- Using a hand mixer, beat until the mixture becomes smooth and lightens up some. Taste and adjust with more orange juice, Aperol, or sweetened condensed milk if desired. Save any leftover sweetened condensed milk to flavor your morning coffee for an extra special treat!
- Support the orange bowls in a container or on a tray so that they sit in an upright position. Scrunched paper towels work well for this. Then transfer the Aperol mixture into the orange bowls, filling to the top. Pour the remaining mixture into a freezer-safe container.
- Freeze for several hours or overnight, until it has frozen through. Serve with fresh berries, whipped cream, and/or an Aperol Spritz (Aperol with Prosecco & a slice of orange)!
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