This Manual Ice Cream Maker Is the Easiest Way to Satisfy Frozen Cravings in the Summer
Amazon
Every time I have a scoop of mouthwatering, light-as-air gelato in the summer, I immediately want to rush back home and whip up a batch of my own. The sweet tooth in me always wants to experiment and create my own frozen dessert recipes (my latest obsession is watermelon sorbet), but I'm always foiled by one tiny inconvenience: I don't own an ice cream maker. As someone living in a New York City apartment with little to nonexistent cabinet space, I try to avoid bulky appliances as much as possible, especially when it's something that's mainly used only three months of the year.
Even though the blend, freeze, then blitz-every-few-hours (to avoid ice crystals) method of making frozen desserts without an ice cream maker works just fine most of the time, I'd much prefer something less of a hassle to satisfy my cravings. And thanks to thousands of Amazon reviewers, I might've found the answer: The Sweet Spot Ice Cream Maker by Chef'n. Shoppers on Amazon call this nonelectric, manual ice cream maker "a fun way to make a small batch" that provides "instant gratification," and it's currently on sale for just $45.
Courtesy of Chef
To buy: Chef'n Sweet Spot Ice Cream Maker, $45 (originally $60) at amazon.com
It's not magic that powers the Sweet Spot Ice Cream Maker. Rather, all you have to do is keep the bowl in your freezer 24 hours ahead of time, and when you're craving your next frozen treat, you'll pour your ice cream mix on the maker's frozen surface and start scraping and scooping with its spoons to create a smooth consistency (like how your favorite childhood mall hang, Cold Stone Creamery, famously makes its ice creams by scooping and chopping on a frozen marble slab). Of course, you can add toppings like chocolate chips, fresh fruit, and chopped nuts to your creation, but the Sweet Spot ice cream maker also comes with a recipe book if you're stumped for inspiration.
The skeptic in me wondered if Chef'n's ice cream maker was a fad at first, but hundreds of reviews point to it being a tool that actually works and something that's great for those who can't enjoy store-bought pints due to dietary restrictions. "This has been a game changer for us," said a shopper. "My husband has diabetes and I've been able to make ice cream with low glycemic sweetener so he can have his favorite treat." According to its instructions, the Sweet Spot Ice Cream Maker can make about six individual half-cup servings in half an hour before needing to be frozen again, and shoppers note that you can toss your creations back in the freezer if you'd like them to be less like soft serve.
Related: The Best Ice Cream in Every State
If you're still on the fence about investing in an ice cream machine, or just want a quick homemade fix the next time a heatwave rolls around, try the Chef'n Sweet Spot Ice Cream Maker instead. Shop it at Amazon now while it's on sale.
Courtesy of Chef
To buy: Chef'n Sweet Spot Ice Cream Maker, $45 (originally $60) at amazon.com
