Ice Cream Cookbook?

November 6, 2006 9:20 AM

I'm looking for some great ice cream cookbooks...

I got an ice cream maker for my birthday last week (the Kitchen Aid attachment). I know I could go with just cream, sugar and vanilla, but I'd like other flavors as well.

The best books would have some information on the science of ice cream, like the Cook's Illustrated and Alton Brown books.

(I did find Cook's Illustrated printed a "How to Make Ice Cream" book, but as it's out of print and copies are going for around $300, I guess I'm passing).

posted by Marky to Food & Drink (6 answers total)

I was recently looking these over in my old Joy of Cooking. They have quite a few recipes, as well as good descriptions of techniques, etc. They say the best ice cream is always stirred by hand.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 9:33 AM on November 6, 2006

A small, but quite excellent book, is "Sorbets and Ice Creams and Other Frozen Confections" by Lou Seibert Pappas. This book contains the world's best peppermint stick ice cream recipe. I was amazed at the results! The texture was beautiful. However, the author seems to assume you already know some basics. Hint: when she says that it's done when the custard coats the back of a spoon, realize that this is about 160 degrees on a candy thermometer. Get yourself a thermometer! And happy ice cream making!
posted by Lockjaw at 9:49 AM on November 6, 2006

If you want to go beyond the basic, I recommend "A Passion for Ice Cream," by Emily Luchetti. One of my freelancers at work reviews it here. It includes other frozen desserts, not just ice creams.

Tip: If you're going to be using a lot of vanilla beans, I bought a TON on eBay from seller ID organic-vanilla. (I am not affiliated with them, just a happy cook.) It's amazing how cheap they are if you're buying a lot.
posted by GaelFC at 9:56 AM on November 6, 2006 [1 favorite]

I received the Ben and Jerry's book as a gift several years ago, and it's given me lots of inspiration. There is a little big about the science of ice cream in there, but it's definitely intended for a general audience.
posted by leesh at 9:58 AM on November 6, 2006

I second the Ben and Jerry's book. I've had lots of luck with it so far, and it's amazing how Cherry Garcia tastes even better homemade!
posted by thejanna at 12:43 PM on November 6, 2006

This is the one we got. It doesn't go into the science much, but the recipes from it that we have tried have been quite good. Note that the overall ratings for the book are pretty good, but the ones featured on the book's main page are negative. I would probably give it 4/5 myself, mostly because of the lack of science and the lack of pics. (I know the pics aren't necessary, but I like cookbooks that look good as well as produce good food.)

An Alton Brown ice cream cookbook would be great. Maybe someday he'll publish one.
posted by litlnemo at 4:08 PM on November 6, 2006