[jenrou]

Since I haven't had freezer space, I haven't explored new types of ice cream freezers. With just the two of us, I never use the old fashioned ice/salt types, although I still have them.

What is the best way to make your own ice cream, especially since I need to do low sugar, etc. types for diabetic use?

[PolkaDot]

I purchased a Cuisinart ICE-30BC Pure Indulgence 2-Quart Automatic Frozen Yogurt, Sorbet, and Ice Cream Maker from Amazon earlier this year when it was on a deal of the day. I love it. I've used it often this summer. Read the reviews at Amazon. A lot of people like the smaller, 1.5 quart Cuisinart, but I am really happy that I went with the larger size which makes the half gallon. The 2 quart size isn't really any bigger as far as counter space. It could not be easier to use this machine; add four ingredients to the frozen bowl, drop in the stirrer, put the lid on and turn on the on/off dial. That's it. Of course, there are more complicated recipes out there, but none look difficult. We have really enjoyed a coffee ice cream, the vanilla recipe which comes with the machine and peach ice cream. I need to find a better chocolate recipe. So far I've only made Philadelphia Style Ice Cream and we've enjoyed those. Later I want to try the custard based ice creams which use eggs and doesn't appeal to me as much (the idea of eggs, but they are cooked to a custard and then chilled before making the ice cream) but apparently the custard based ice creams are "creamier," and often what you would get when you order in a restaurant, etc.

I keep the double walled freezer bowl frozen and ready to go when we want to make a new batch. I had considered getting an extra bowl, but haven't found it necessary, since there are only two of us here and I've found that the bowl stays frozen and could actually be used to make a second batch if you have the ingredients cold and ready to go as soon as you remove the first. It takes 25-30 minutes to churn a batch. The ice cream is a custard consistency when it finishes churning, so I make it the day or evening before we want to enjoy it, since it takes a few hours or more to freeze hard in your freezer.

My sister and family visited and were very impressed with how fresh tasting the vanilla ice cream tasted. I like that it has no fillers and additives. You can throw in "add-ins" during the last five minutes if desired.

One side note........we have noticed that we are very satisfied with just one scoop of this fresh tasting ice cream, so we definitely are not over-indulging.

HTH!

[AnnBK]

Ditto to what Dot said. I have a Cuisinart ice cream maker, not sure of the model number, but it has a bowl that I keep in the freezer so it's always ready to go. My favorite recipe is for strawberry sorbet. But fresh peach is pretty good, too!

[Belle]

I have been wanting an ice cream maker for so long but I'm a lazy cook. If I have to beat this and cook that, then I don't want one. Hearing that you just put 4 things in and churn is perfect for me. Thanks for this thread.

[Sara Arell]

Putting this on my bucket list - if it's easy, then I'm all for it! Oh, as long as I can make chocolate ice cream with it! LOL!

[Art-C]

I have a Cuisinart plus an old fashion one that you pack with ice and salt. That one can run with the motor OR hand crank. My grandchildren like that crank novelty...at least for about 5-10 minutes! I got the old fashion convertible one at Target.