Certainly the most popular and widely recognised frozen dessert of them all! The much loved creamy and smooth texture is achieved by adding dairy into the mix of its more ancient counterparts. It’s these fats and proteins that give ice cream its unique qualities. Because of the dairy, homemade ice cream melts slower than most frozen desserts. It’s those fats that create the velvety mouthfeel, spreading smoothly across the tongue and coating your mouth with that rich, luxurious aftertaste.
The 17th and 18th centuries marked significant movement towards what we would consider to be ice cream with this addition of dairy. This coincided with the invention of hand-cranked ice cream makers, wooden barrels into which the ice cream mixture was placed, then surrounded by a mixture of ice and salt, and rotated manually until frozen.
In the late 18th century, with the huge influx of European immigrants, ice cream first gained mass popularity in America. The first recorded advertisement for ice cream in the United States appeared in the New York Gazette as long ago as 1777. Soon ice cream shops and parlours quickly started appearing, catering to the ever growing demand.
During the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century, ice cream production further advanced with the invention of mechanical ice cream makers. These machines reduced the effort required to churn ice cream, allowing for mass production and making it commercially viable. Ice cream’s popularity soared as it became both more affordable and more readily available to the general public. With the mass availability of home freezing, it soon spread to become a common treat enjoyed by people of various social classes.
In essence, ice cream is made by churning a mixture of cream, milk, sugar and flavourings such as vanilla, chocolate, or fruit. The fat content from the dairy helps create a stable emulsion, which then ensures its smooth and creamy texture. Emulsifiers like egg yolks or stabilisers are added to enhance texture. Subsequently, the churning process both incorporates air into the mixture and prevents ice crystals from forming.
Savour the exquisite allure of vanilla ice cream infused with aromatic vanilla seeds. Rich, creamy, and speckled with tiny black treasures, it’s a divine treat that delights the senses in every luscious bite. Click here for recipe
Homemade Double Chocolate Ice Cream
Dive into the indulgent world of chocolate ice cream. Velvety smooth, richly decadent, and utterly irresistible. A divine treat that satisfies your deepest cocoa cravings with each spoonful of pure bliss. Click here for recipe
Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream
Delight in the vibrant sweetness of strawberry ice cream. Bursting with juicy, ripe strawberries, this creamy indulgence captures the essence of summer. Every lick or spoonful offers a simultaneously refreshing and irresistible treat. Click here for recipe
Homemade Mint Choc Chip Ice Cream
Experience the cool minty bliss of mint chocolate chip ice cream. Refreshing mint flavour intertwines with rich chocolate chips. Creating this harmonious combination that will tantalise your taste buds with every creamy scoop. Click here for recipe
Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream
Satisfy your sweet tooth with the irresistible delight of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream. Creamy vanilla base swirled with chunks of cookie dough and then studded with rich chocolate chips, it’s pure bliss in every spoonful. Click here for recipe
Homemade White Chocolate Ice Cream
A silky smooth custard combined with luxurious white chocolate to make a stunning white chocolate ice cream. Simple to make, delicious to savour. A beautiful taste combined with the perfect texture makes this an ice cream lovers treat. Click here for recipe