Ingredients
• 1 tablespoon of cream cheese
• ⅓ cup of granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• ¾ cup of heavy cream
• 1 cup of whole milk
• 3 Maltese sausages
• Brown sugar (to taste)
• 250 grams of butter
• 250 grams of icing sugar
• 360 grams of flour
Method
To start, whisk together the cream cheese and granulated sugar in a medium bowl until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy. Add the vanilla extract and mix well, ensuring it is fully incorporated. Gradually pour in the heavy cream (or half and half) and whole milk, stirring continuously to ensure all ingredients are well combined and the sugar is fully dissolved.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and place it in the refrigerator for at least one hour, or until the mixture is thoroughly chilled. This chilling process helps improve the texture of the ice cream. Once chilled, pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions, which typically takes about 20-25 minutes. If you do not have an ice cream maker, pour the mixture into a shallow container and place it in the freezer. Every 30 minutes, stir the mixture vigorously with a fork or whisk to break up any ice crystals, repeating this process until the mixture reaches the desired consistency, which may take 3-4 hours.
When the ice cream has reached a soft-serve consistency, transfer it to an airtight container and place it in the freezer for at least two hours to allow it to firm up.
For the sausage, start by heating a pan over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, add the Maltese sausage. Cook the sausage, turning occasionally, until it is browned on all sides and cooked through. This usually takes about 10-12 minutes, depending on the thickness of the sausage.
Once the sausage is nearly cooked, sprinkle the desired amount of brown sugar evenly over the sausage in the pan. The heat will cause the brown sugar to melt and caramelize, creating a sweet glaze. Continue to cook the sausage for another 2-3 minutes, turning it to coat all sides with the caramelized brown sugar. When the sausage is fully cooked and nicely glazed with the brown sugar, remove it from the pan.
For the crumble, start by preheating your oven to 180°C (350°F). In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and icing sugar. Cut the butter into small cubes and add them to the bowl. Using your fingers or a pastry cutter, rub the butter into the flour and sugar mixture until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs. This process should take a few minutes as the butter needs to be evenly distributed throughout the dry ingredients.
Next, take the cooked Maltese sausage and crumble it into small pieces. You can use your hands or a knife to break the sausage into bits. Add the crumbled sausage to the flour, sugar, and butter mixture. Stir well to ensure the sausage pieces are evenly distributed throughout the crumble mixture.
Prepare a baking dish by lightly greasing it with butter or non-stick spray. Evenly spread the crumble mixture into the prepared baking dish, pressing it down slightly with the back of a spoon to create an even layer. This will help the crumble cook evenly and form a nice crust. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the crumble is golden brown and crisp on top. The sausage pieces should be well-incorporated into the crumble, adding a savory element to the sweet and buttery base.
Once baked, remove the crumble from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.
