Homemade Ice Cream

Ice cream is one of those family tradition desserts that anyone can enjoy. Ice cream has developed so many flavors and styles (hard or soft) that it's become a global treat. No longer tied to simple vanilla and chocolate, ice cream lovers now have their choices of wildly mixed flavors. New age ice cream even has bits of candy bar, jelly beans, or strawberries embedded into the creamy dessert.

Before the advent of modern refrigeration, the ice cream dessert was available to only the wealthiest class of society. The ice was actually removed from frozen lakes and rivers and stored in large cutout holes called ice houses. The ice was brought to a large tub that contained salt that was used to partially melt the ice giving it that smooth, slushy texture.

After properly mixing enough ice and salt, hand held churning mechanisms were used to whip the dessert into a more fluffy, creamy blend. This was a laborious task that had to be done continuously until the right texture was created. After perfecting the mixture, flavors could be added to the ice cream dessert and served to patrons. The ice cream didn't last for long, but attempts to preserve the dessert were made by storing it in an ice house.

Presently, certain companies sell ice cream dessert machines for home use. The use of an ice cream dessert maker allows the user to quickly create the treat by simply freezing the machine, dropping in the necessary ingredients, and allowing it to mix until texture is complete. These machines are made to a larger scale where it creates the dessert at higher quantities and sold at popular ice cream shops.

Making homemade ice cream desserts is not difficult. Most people enjoy their hand made creation and even say that the mixture is superior to popular brands. The advantage of making your own ice cream is that there are no artificial flavors or preservatives added, so it makes for a healthier choice in a dessert.