Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker: Product Review

A hot summer day, the whole family has gathered, the one treat that takes them back to easier times is a batch of home made ice cream, right out of the machine. The only problem is those easier times didn't seem to take into consideration is that making ice cream by hand is a whole lot of work.

Don't forget the mess either, rock salt, ice, cranking, and cranking, by the time you get to the finished product, which by the way will be runny and soupy, you will be too exhausted to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Enter the Cuisinart CIM-60 series ice-cream and frozen yogurt maker. Purchased at Sam's club for just a pinch under $50, this stainless steel wonder will take all the work out of your next batch of home made delight.

This is the simplest way to make ice cream there is, first step is take the removable tub and put it in your freezer for 24 hours. This gives you time to head to the grocery store to buy some heavy cream, and maybe some fresh strawberries. Don't forget you need some whole milk as well.

The next day, when the tub is well frozen, get your materials together. This won't take long at all, soon you'll be enjoying the best ice cream you've ever had the pleasure of eating.

The machine comes with a set of recipes, including the one for strawberry ice cream your about to enjoy. The manual also contains recipes for yogurt and fruit sorbet as well.

Your by no means limited to this recipe book for ideas, head for the internet and search on ice cream recipes. There are hundreds out there, and they will all work in your new Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker. One of my favorites is Butter Pecan.

The instructions will have you mixing up the strawberries, sugar and heavy cream with electric beaters, I used a blender which worked just as well. After blending all the ingredients together, transfer the mixture to the frozen tub that you have now placed in the machine. Place the plastic beater assembly in the tub and the plastic retaining cover over the top.

Turn the machine on and let her go. It takes about 20-25 minutes for the ice cream maker to do its magic. The results will be smooth creamy cold ice cream that can be immediately served up and enjoyed. If you prefer a firmer product, transfer the ice cream to an air tight container such as Tupper Ware, and place it in the freezer for a few hours.

This simple process will reward you with the best tasting ice cream known to man. The flavor of the fresh strawberries will stand out and make this an extra special treat.

If your like me, you'll like the taste so much, you'll immediately make a few more batches of different flavors to have a stock of cold delight in the freezer when friends drop in. Of course you'll have to freeze the tub for 24 hours between batches, but in a couple days your freezer will have a nice selection in stock.

When friends and neighbors find out your maintaining a stock of extra special ice cream in your freezer, they'll be looking for excuses to drop in when the temps start to climb this summer. Run right out and get one of these little beauties, you won't be disappointed. I sure know I've been quite satisfied, even though my waistline is a bit larger because of it.