Anyone who writes an ice cream blog is going to insist you always need more ice cream in your life. 😉 So I have to be honest, this review is slightly biased already!
The question that frequently comes up when contemplating buying an ice cream maker is why make it at home when there are so many fabulous ice cream parlours to choose from in almost any city around the world? You can also pop down to your local corner store or supermarkets and find dozens of ice cream brands.
When I started making ice cream with the Cuisinart Ice Cream and Gelato Professional (instead of just eating it), I was interested to see how it compares. And because of the price tag, it’s something you know know you want it to be the worth it.
There are too many answers to why I think you need an ice cream maker in your life, so I’ll keep it to my top 5.
Check it out!
You have to have an ice cream maker if you want to make ice cream! I started making it using the Cuisinart ICE-100 Compressor Ice Cream and Gelato.
There is no faffing around with bowls in the freezer. When you are ready for ice cream, it’s ready. Just turn it on and go. In about 40 minutes, you have ice cream that you can eat right then, or you can put it in the freezer to harden up a bit more. Once done in, you’ll have about 1 litre of ice cream ready to devour!
5 reasons you should you buy an ice cream maker
1. It is really fun…and easy!
Just like making anything with your own hands is an achievement, so is making ice cream. All you need are four or five easily available ingredients and you are set! No ovens, no sifting, no soggy bottoms – just pure joy!
2. It’s something everyone can do!
Truly the whole family can get stuck in! Every age from growing to grown up can participate and after it’s done you can all sit down and enjoy it together. When doesn’t ice cream bring a smile to everyone’s face?
3. It’s quick!
Mix your creamy base, throw it in the fridge for a few hours and then in 40 minutes, you can be eating ice cream. How cool is that!
4. It’s creative!
I know I love some pretty unusual flavors, so I am sure you do too. Do you want to combine watermelon and chocolate, pear and vanilla, all the summer berries in one? You finally can make the flavours you’ve always wanted to try!
5. It’s healthier!
Unlike supermarket brands, you have control of what you are putting in it. You can adjust the amount of sugar you add in and for those who are lactose intolerant or vegan, you have the option of making delicious sorbets or granitas. You have the control!
My review of the Cuisinart Ice Cream and Gelato Maker Professional
Now, here’s what I like about this ice cream maker in particular.
It’s from a trusted brand
As it’s from the well-respected Cuisinart brand, I was expecting the highest quality and it did not disappoint. Although this ice cream maker is on the pricier side, in my opinion, the time it saves in making ice cream is well worth it.
It’s quick!
There is no faffing around with bowls in the freezer. When you are ready for ice cream, it’s ready. Just turn it on and go. In about 40 minutes, you have ice cream that you can eat right then, or you can put it in the freezer to harden up a bit more. Once done in, you’ll have about 1 litre of ice cream ready to devour!
In my family, many a time, the ice cream maker finished doing its job and the ice cream was gone in minutes. Then you can clean the bowl and start again, right away, no waiting!
It’s easy to operate
There are only 3 buttons: power, stop/start and timer. No fiddling around endlessly with a manual to figure out exactly how to use it or wondering if you’ve got the right setting. How much easier could it get?
There’s a stop/start function
This might sound like a strange function to enjoy. But the stop/start is great because it means you can taste as you go along or add in bigger bits like cookies, fruit or peppermint sticks a bit later in the process so you have nice chunks.
Cuisinart also has included 15 fantastic recipes from Vanilla and Chocolate Ice Cream to Orange, Mango and Passion Fruit Sorbet to Icy Homemade Lemonade in its manual. Their vanilla is now my go-to and is a perfect base for so many other flavours.
There aren’t a lot of parts to wash
There are only has 4 parts to the whole machine – the bowl, the lid and two well-labeled paddles – one for ice cream and one for gelato. Making delicious homemade ice cream that doesn’t end with a huge pile of dishes in the sink? Sign me up!
What I didn’t like about the Cuisinart Ice Cream and Gelato Maker Professional
There was only one thing that I didn’t like about this ice maker: It does make a noticeable whirring noise when doing its thing. For many people that won’t be a problem at all but if you have an open kitchen or want to use it during a dinner party it might bother you.
If you are as passionate as I am about frozen desserts, then this is the ice cream maker for you!
