Ice cream makers streamline the process of making homemade sweets and treats in your kitchen. Whether you choose a manual model that requires some elbow grease or an electric appliance that automates the mixing and freezing process, ice cream makers turn any liquid into a scoopable frozen treat. Beyond just ice cream, you can make sorbets and frozen yogurt whenever you’re craving it.
Ice cream makers also give home cooks a creative outlet, says Anthony Sobotik, co-founder of Lick Honest Ice Creams, an ice cream shop in Austin, Texas, where he helps develop flavors. Once you master a few basic recipes and feel comfortable using the appliance, you can think beyond conventional flavors you’d find at a grocery store or your local soft serve parlor. While using an ice cream maker, you’re in control of every ingredient that goes into your dessert, giving you the freedom to experiment with taste profiles and customize frozen treats to your liking.
SKIP AHEAD The best ice cream makers to shop | The best ice cream accessories | Benefits of at-home ice cream makers | How to make ice cream at home | What you’ll need to make ice cream | Mistakes to avoid | Homemade versus store-bought ice cream
Ice cream makers come in many sizes and with a handful of different presets — they also range in price point from less than $50 to more than $500. We spoke with experts about how to choose the best ice cream maker for your needs and rounded up a handful of models based on their guidance.
Our top picks
How we picked top-rated ice cream makers
When shopping for ice cream makers, experts recommend considering the following factors:
- Type: Electric ice creammakers are fully automatic after you add ingredients and press a few buttons. Manual ice cream makers, on the other hand, involve you in the freezing and stirring processes. For example, you may have to move the machine’s paddle or hand crank when mixing ingredients.
- Compressor versus freeze-bowl: Electric ice cream makers fall…
Read the full article here
