Years ago, one of my best friends gave it to me Scoop Perfect by David Lebovitz for my birthday (with the strict stipulation that I make her an ice cream cake every year for ITS birthday). It was the best gift, with the sweetest writing, and I've made many recipes from those milk-stained pages. That precious book is currently on the shelf above my desk, just outside the Test Kitchen here at King Arthur, and on days when I feel particularly stuck on a development project, I find inspiration in the inscription of my best: her belief that I can do anything and that Friday Night Lights reference that always makes me smile.
I couldn't wait to make my first ice cream recipe from that book … but there was just one problem. After eagerly whipping up my custard base and patiently chilling it, I realized I had forgotten to freeze the insert for my ice cream maker. My ice cream dreams were put on hold while I waited – a full 24 hours! – for it to freeze solid.
I've always felt that the biggest hurdle to making your own ice cream is the need to plan ahead and pre-freeze the bowl. What if you have an instant ice cream craving or a sudden stroke of inspiration?
Well, it turns out I don't have to wait any longer. of Cuisinart ice cream and gelato maker it's a complete game changer when it comes to homemade ice cream because no pre-freezing is required. I repeat, no prior freezing is required.
Food photography and styling by Liz Neily
With a simplified process and high quality results, this machine takes your ice cream dreams to the next level. Because you don't need to freeze the bowl before churning, you can decide to make your own ice cream, whip up your base, and start churning once the base is properly chilled in the fridge, usually no more than an hour or two. Another delicious benefit of not having to pre-freeze a bowl is that there is even more room in your freezer for shaved ice cream. And while having to freeze your ice cream bowl in advance means you usually have to wait 24 hours between batches, with this device, you can make batch after batch of different flavors of ice cream in no time.
The machine is also easy to use. It has exactly three buttons: power, timer and start/stop. Pour your ice cream base into the aluminum mixing bowl, screw the lid into place, set the timer and press start. This is. Two scoops are included: one for ice cream and one for ice cream. The gelato scoop is slightly smaller, designed to provide a slower churning process that incorporates less air into the mix and creates a richly textured ice cream.
One of my favorite features is an opening in the lid so you can add your favorite mix-ins without interrupting the freeze cycle — perfect for adding cookies to your Cookies and cream ice creamor a ribbon of marshmallow swirl in your vanilla ice cream. There's also a “Keep Cool” feature that will keep your ice cream (you guessed it) cool for 10 minutes after it's done brewing. Freshly mixed soft serve, anyone?
Food photography and styling by Liz Neily
Whether you're looking to make sorbet, frozen yogurt, or a traditional cream-based ice cream, this machine handles it all and consistently delivers the creamiest ice cream I've ever been able to make at home. Because you don't have to worry about the frozen bowl melting before the ice cream is completely melted, there is less melting and re-freezing of ice crystals – meaning your ice cream will have a more stable ice cream, even frozen, with a silky color. smooth texture. Dark chocolate sorbet with a tart spoon cherry pie filling it's a decadent, dairy-free treat. Frozen yogurt with berries and raspberries above with splash it's great for a sunny day. Vanilla bean ice cream with Hot Fudge Sauce or a little olive oil is the impressive homemade dessert you need for your next dinner party.
The machine features a commercial-grade compressor freezer, which is just a fancy way of saying it's always ready to make ice cream. Despite being a compression model machine, this ice cream maker is not noisy. I would describe it more as a consistent buzz, and cleaning is a breeze. The mixing paddles and lid are dishwasher safe on the top rack and the mixing bowl can be washed in warm, soapy water. Taking up the same amount of desk space as a stand mixer and weighing in at just under 30 pounds, I'll admit this is a solid countertop device. But when fresh ice cream is the reward, this machine earns its place on my counter, not just in the summer months, but year-round.
Gone are the days of making room in the fridge for the bowl of the ice cream maker, days before it explodes. Now, the only space you'll need to create is for your many containers of delicious, lovingly made ice cream.
Ready to start your summer ice cream journey? of Cuisinart ice cream and gelato maker currently has free shipping!
Cover photo and food styling by Liz Neily.
