ICE CREAM IS as much a part of summer as flip-flops and sunburns — especially in New England, notorious for its love of the neighborhood scoop shop. Such weekly or — let’s be realistic — daily indulgence isn’t easy on the wallet, to say nothing of the waistline. Fortunately, a surprising number of do-it-yourself alternatives, some of them even healthy, can keep you cool this summer. Ice-cream makers have finally escaped their stigma as noisy contraptions requiring ice, rock salt, and patience. These days, the pre-freezing of a small interior bowl, easy-to-find ingredients, and the flip of a switch will do it.
Crate & Barrel, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Williams-Sonoma sell the Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker ($49.95–$59.95), an attractive countertop machine that whips ups one and a half quarts of ice cream, frozen yogurt, or sorbet in about 20 minutes. Or, for twice the output in the same amount of time, go to Williams-Sonoma or BB&B for the Cuisinart Duo ($99.95). Target also carries the more modestly priced Rival Gourmet Creamery ($34.99). Most of these items come with recipe suggestions; for other ideas, consult the host of cookbooks on Amazon.com, such as Bruce Weinstein’s The Ultimate Ice Cream Book ($11.20) and Ben & Jerry’s Homemade Ice Cream & Dessert Book ($9.95).
Snow cones are another old favorite for beating the heat. Target has the Rival Ice Shaving Kit ($19.99), and BB&B has the Snow Shaver Ice Grinder ($12.99). Both stores also offer flavor syrup ($2.99), and BB&B has plastic snow-cone cups ($4.99), with convenient built-in straws. Those who don’t want another appliance can chill with homemade popsicles. Williams-Sonoma has Pop-Up, Space Pop, and Classic Pop Molds ($18) that give shape to frozen juice, ice cream, and frozen yogurt. Also available is a sorbet and ice-pop base ($12) for making popsicles that rival any from Good Humor. Crate & Barrel sells a similar Frozen Pop Mold ($15.95), as well as extra popsicle sticks ($2.50).
Finally, to serve your homemade frozen treats in style, Target offers an impressive collection of retro ice-cream glasses ($2.49), while Williams-Sonoma sells similar Milk Glass Ice Cream ($12) and Sundae Dishes ($14). Crate & Barrel also has classic banana-split dishes ($2.95 each). Get the scoop with a Michael Graves Ice Cream Scoop ($7.99) from Target, or BB&B’s Anti-Freeze Scoop ($3.99); the liquid inside uses the heat of your hand to soften the ice cream as you scoop. Top everything off with Williams-Sonoma’s Dulce de Leche ($8) and Ice Cream Toppings Kit ($16.50) or Trader Joe’s Apricot or Mango Sauce ($2.99). But don’t forget to leave your house once in a while — the ice cream will stick around, but summer won’t.
Where to find it:
• Bed Bath & Beyond, various locations, www.bedbathandbeyond.com.
• Crate & Barrel, various locations, www.crateandbarrel.com.
• Target, various locations, www.target.com.
• Trader Joe’s, various locations, www.traderjoes.com.
• Williams-Sonoma, various locations, www.williams-sonoma.com.
• www.amazon.com
