There are a few things I miss about Ohio. Friends top the list, but Jeni’s ice cream is in the Top 10.
If you’ve never been to Columbus, Ohio, you may never have experienced Jeni’s. Let me break it down for you; it’s the best ice cream you will ever eat. I know, I know, you think your local ice cream joint is the best, but you’re wrong. Jeni’s transcends ice cream and becomes something altogether different, wonderful and heavenly.
So when Jeni Britton Bauer announced that she was releasing a cookbook revealing all her ice cream secrets, a cheer went up in Columbus and around the country. Finally a chance to do it ourselves! And for those of us who have moved away, a chance to experience that taste fresh and not packed in pints and shipped to us in dry ice.
I ordered my cookbook and the day it came, I spent an obscene amount of time lusting over the pictures and the recipes. And I was thrilled to discover so many recipes for flavors that don’t have chunks or bits, which is one of my pet peeves. I can handle flecks of chocolate, but I absolutely hate chunks of fruit or seeds or nuts or anything that requires chewing. Here was Dark Chocolate and Backyard Mint and Apple Cider Sorbet and so many other smooth, creamy homogenous flavors.
I got my cookbook the week before we were leaving for a week-long vacation, so I decided to wait to make something. Yesterday, I settled on The Buckeye State; peanut butter ice cream with a touch of honey and dark chocolate freckles. I never liked peanut butter ice cream as a kid, but the first time I tasted The Buckeye State, I fell in love.
The recipe was very easy to follow, although it did require quite a few bowls. But doing dishes was worth it. It turned out perfect.
Luckily, we left the house for quite a few hours right after I put the ice cream in the freezer. I don’t know how I would have contained myself if I’d been home with that not-quite-solidified ice cream in the freezer. As soon as we got home last night, we dug into it.
Rob took one bite, looked at me and said, “You can’t tell the difference.”
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams at home, indeed.
How wonderful to have all your favorite flavors made accessible? Your ice cream looks so creamy! Thanks for letting me know about a new cookbook!
Love love love this book. I’ve got so much ice cream in my freezer right now, it’s kind of ridiculous. And to know that every single one of my favorite flavors are in that book for me to make on my own–love.
Katie – It’s a great cookbook and Amazon has it for a really good price right now. Under $20 for a hardcover with lovely pictures!
Danae – I’m really glad I bought this cookbook. I was scared it was going to be lots of crazy flavors, but one batch of The Buckeye State later and it’s paid for itself.
Jeni’s is the best! it’s hard to resist going every day when you live in columbus! i love the almond brittle flavor! i’m definitely going to check out the cookbook now!
Lindsay – Living in New York, it’s hard to resist stopping off and buying a $10 pint of Jeni’s at the handful of stores that sell them! I’m so glad I have the opportunity to just make them at home – and a whole quart at a time, too!
I am so in love with this book! I made 5 different flavors for my company from Atlanta to try. Big big hit! And you are so right about the variety of flavors offered in the book. It’s nice to know when some of my favorite seasonal flavors are no longer in the shop, I can whip them up myself!
Kiesha, the ice cream looks and sounds delicious. I don’t have the book yet, but it’s on the top of my list. I made her pistachio ice cream from a recipe I found online and it was amazing!!
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Timmura, I’m grateful that the apple cider sorbet recipe made the cut. I haven’t made it yet, but it’s just because I’m waiting for September. It doesn’t feel right to make it before then!
Yael, I can’t recommend the book enough. Almost everything I’ve made so far has worked out really perfectly.