There’s nothing like a scoop of ice cream to sweeten up summer! Whether you’re team chocolate or team vanilla, this nostalgic treat never gets old. From a refreshing, dairy-free sorbet to creamy custard, ice cream takes many different forms. Thankfully, we’ve got you covered on all you need to know about soft-serve, sherbet, and every ice cream in between!
Ready to beat the heat with something sweet?
Frozen Custard
Frozen custard is creamy, dreamy, and silky smooth. The biggest difference between frozen custard and traditional ice cream is the use of egg yolks. In addition to providing extra protein, the egg yolks make frozen custard extra soft, velvety, and thick. Enjoy this rich dessert on its own or top it with light whipped cream and fresh berries.
Frozen Yogurt
Frozen yogurt is seen as a healthier alternative to ice cream, but it’s equally as delicious. Though traditional frozen yogurt is made from milk, there are dairy-free options that use soy or coconut-based yogurts. This treat is the perfect blend of tart and sweet, and pairs perfectly with fresh fruit, granola, or candy.
Gelato
Gelato is the Italian dessert of amore. Though gelato is technically the Italian word for ice cream, there are some subtle differences between the two. First off, gelato has more milk and less cream than standard ice cream. Second, it is churned much slower, resulting in a more dense and thick texture. From espresso to pistachio, the flavor possibilities are endless, and you’ll definitely want to enjoy a scoop (or two) in a classic waffle cone. BF Fave - Uli’s Speculoos Cookie Gelato
Sorbet
Sorbet is refreshing, fruity, and generally, dairy-free. In addition to having no cream, sorbet tends to be more tart as it is made from a variety of fruit juices and purées. Most sorbets use sweeteners like honey or simple syrup to balance out the natural acidity, but the fresh, real-fruit flavors are exactly what you’ll need to cool off on a warm summer day. It’s best to skip the waffle cone when enjoying sorbet, but you can always add sweet berries or fresh mint for an herbal touch.
Sherbet
Sherbet falls somewhere between sorbet and standard ice cream. Though sherbet is made with fruit juices and purée just like sorbet, it is also made with dairy, resulting in a creamy and fruity treat that offers the best of both worlds. Just a small dollop of cream, milk, or buttermilk makes sherbet all the more irresistible and rich. Similarly to sorbet, you’ll notice that sherbet is colder on the tongue when compared to ice cream, which is a result of there being less fat in the recipe.
Kulfi
Kulfi is a beloved Indian treat that has been around since the 16th century. This frozen dairy dessert is made by slowly simmering whole milk before freezing. Everything from vanilla extract to cardamom is added to the creamy concoction, resulting in a vibrant and nutty flavor. Since the milk is simmered for so long before freezing, kulfi is denser and thicker than traditional ice cream. Due to its dense nature, kulfi also tends to melt more slowly, making it the ideal outdoor dessert on a warm and sunny day.
Soft Serve
As the name suggests, soft serve is one of the softest and airiest forms of ice cream. It’s been an American classic since it first debuted in the 1930s, and the most common flavors are chocolate, vanilla, or a combo swirl. The light and delicate texture is attributed to the freezing process, which is usually done in a soft serve machine that adds air to the milky mixture as it freezes. The machine also keeps the soft serve consistently cool and can easily be dispensed via the simple pull of a lever. BF Fave - CVT Vanilla Soft Serve
Philadelphia-Style
Need a quick fix for your ice cream craving? Philadelphia-style ice cream is a simple mixture of milk, cream, sugar, and your desired flavoring. One of the best things about Philly-style ice cream is that it can be whipped up in as little as 30 minutes. This classic ice cream pairs perfectly with a crisp waffle cone, but don’t forget to top it off with some rainbow sprinkles for good measure!