Updated: Jun. 13, 2024
No need to wait in line—this ice cream maker whips up frozen treats in just 20 minutes.
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Beat the summer heat with revenge best served soft—we’re talking ice cream. Nothing cools us down quicker (or tastes more delicious) than a bowl of soft serve, especially one made from scratch. But making ice cream isn’t always an easy job. There are tons of methods to consider: hand-churned, enlisting a blender and using rock salt, just to name a few.
With ice cream machines taking over TikTok, it’s easy to be charmed by luxury appliances that do the hard work for you. Devices like the perpetually out-of-stock Ninja Creami make it easier than ever to whip up parlor-quality sundaes in under an hour—no churning or ice required.
However, ice cream machines typically ring up at over $100. The solution? Those looking for a budget buy should pick up the Cuisinart ice cream maker while it’s nearly 50% off.
What is the Cuisinart ice cream maker?
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The Cuisinart ice cream maker is a countertop appliance that’s capable of creating sorbet, frozen yogurt or soft serve in a few simple steps. Just pick out a recipe in your favorite ice cream cookbook (or use the included recipe guide), load up your mix-ins and add the ingredients. In just 20 minutes it’s time to pull the lever for a generous serving of chilly, sweet soft serve.
There are no complicated bells or whistles here. Instead, the machine is easy enough that kids can even make ice cream on their own. It fits perfectly on a countertop and the inoffensive white and stainless steel design matches well with other appliances. Thanks to the simple look and streamlined operation, this might be our new favorite summer kitchen essential!
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How To Use It
Using the Cuisinart ice cream machine is incredibly simple. Remove the freezer bowl and pop it into the freezer. The bowl is double-insulated and needs to be frozen prior to use, typically for a few hours or overnight.
Once chilled, it’s time to return the bowl to the machine and add the ice cream base. Chill the base ahead of time to speed up the process and ensure perfect consistency. Press the start button to prompt the machine to start spinning. A fully automatic mixer pushes the base against the frozen bowl, chilling the ice cream as it churns, creating a light and soft texture.
Once ready, either enjoy it as-is or add some mix-ins like M&M’s, sprinkles or Oreo pieces. Three lever-operated dispensers on the side of the machine hold a few different options. A mix-in gauge helps check the size of mix-ins so the machine doesn’t clog. While the machine itself doesn’t automatically add the mix-ins, there are more sophisticated models like the Cool Creations machine that does.
Below the mix-ins is a handy cone holder for easy access. Once finished, the ice cream is ready to dispense into a bowl or cone using the built-in lever system. It works a lot like traditional soft-serve machines. Those looking to save some ice cream for later or who prefer a harder, scoop-able texture can pick up a few ice cream accessories like tubs to store leftovers in the freezer. The machine produces 1.5 quarts of ice cream—no chemicals, salt, or ice required.
Ice Cream Accessories
What Reviewers Are Saying
Reviewers comment on how easy it is to make soft serve-style ice cream in under 20 minutes. Some shoppers report that when churned for longer than the recommended 20 minutes, the ice cream turned out pretty close to the stuff you buy at the store.
“I bought this because it looked fun,” writes verified purchaser VKD. “My thought was that it would work ok but would be a pain to set up, use and clean as with most things that look like they are going to be fun. I was so wrong! It was incredibly easy to set up, making the ice cream was incredibly easy to do, the dispensing and mix-in feature worked flawlessly and it took me less than two minutes to take apart and clean. So tasty!”
Where to Purchase the Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker
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The Cuisinart ice cream machine is available on Amazon for $185. Currently, the machine is on massive markdown, bringing the price to under $100. You can also find it on Walmart’s website. Don’t pay for ice cream at the store or parlor—better cones are possible right from the counter!
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FAQs
You can take it out any time for immediate use. In general, freezing time is between 6 hours and 22 hours. To determine whether the bowl is completely frozen, shake it. If you do not hear liquid moving, the cooling liquid is frozen.
How do I know when my Cuisinart ice cream maker is finished? ›
Turn on the Cuisinart® ice cream maker; pour the mixture into the frozen freezer bowl and let mix until thickened, about 20 minutes. The ice cream will have a soft, creamy texture. If a firmer consistency is desired, transfer the ice cream to an airtight container and place in freezer for about 2 hours.
Does the Cuisinart ice cream maker turn off automatically? ›
Making homemade ice cream, gelato, frozen yogurt, and sorbet of any type in any flavor couldn't be easier with one-button operation for ice cream, gelato, and sorbet, convenient digital LCD time programming, and auto shutoff.
What to do when ice cream maker is not freezing? ›
It's as simple as this: If the freezer bowl that goes with your ice cream maker isn't cold (like, really cold), your ice cream is never going to freeze. → Follow this tip: In order for the machine to freeze the ice cream as it churns, it needs to be cold — like, totally and completely, rock-hard, ice cold.
Why is my no churn ice cream not freezing? ›
The first thing to look at is the recipe. Have you added too much sugar, salt or alcohol? They will lower the freezing point of the mixture. And too much of any of these ingredients could stop the ice cream freezing altogether.
Why is my ice cream maker taking so long? ›
In my ice cream maker, it takes 40-50 minutes for the ice cream to fully churn. Most common mistake: Unplugging the ice cream maker too early. How to avoid it: Watch over your ice cream while it is being churned. Check it every 10 minutes; you will see that the ice cream's texture changes during churning.
How long should a homemade ice cream maker run? ›
Oftentimes 30 minutes are enough, but you can easily check by removing the canister lid and testing the hardness of the ice cream with a spoon.
Do you have to pre freeze ice cream maker? ›
Pre-Freezing Required: The freezer bowl needs to be frozen for at least 24 hours before use. This means you need to plan ahead, which can be a bit inconvenient if you're craving ice cream on a whim. 2. Noise: The machine is a bit noisy while it's churning.
How long do you churn ice cream in a Cuisinart? ›
In our testing, it made creamy, well-aerated ice cream—and fast, in a mere 20 minutes. For comparison, most ice cream makers with built-in cooling systems take around 40 minutes, minimum.
What temperature is Cuisinart ice cream? ›
Upon exiting the SSF, the ice cream, at about -5°C to -6°C (23°F to 21.2°F) and with a consistency similar to soft-serve ice cream, undergoes static freezing where it is hardened in a freezer without agitation until the core reaches a specified temperature, usually -18°C (-0.4°F).
Turn on the Cuisinart® ice cream maker; pour the mixture into the frozen freezer bowl and let mix until thickened, about 15 to 20 minutes. The ice cream will have a soft, creamy texture. If a firmer consistency is desired, transfer the ice cream to an airtight container and place in freezer for about 2 hours.
Why does my ice maker turn off by itself? ›
The fact that the ice machine just shuts down means that the ice machine thinks you're pushing the on/off button. That can only be caused by a faulty touch control pad or a bad main control board.
How to know when Cuisinart ice cream is done? ›
The ice cream is done when it forms into a solid mass and is no longer mixed by the turning paddle. This recipe took 25 minutes to freeze in my Cuisinart ice cream machine.
Does CREAMi really need 24 hours to freeze? ›
Freezing is crucial: It's paramount that the base is completely frozen into a solid block for the Ninja Creami to work effectively. Texture is key: The 24-hour freeze time results in smaller ice crystals and enhances the dessert's creaminess. For the most creamy ice cream and smoothest sorbet, this matters!
Can ice cream freeze in 30 minutes? ›
If the ice cream isn't freezing, it is possible that there is too much melted ice and the rock salt isn't working propely. Or there is too much frozen ice and not enough rock salt. Once you get the right combination, it will freeze properly, in about 30-45 minutes.
How long does ice cream take to freeze in the freezer? ›
After about 4-6 hours in the freezer, your ice cream should generally be ready (if used in the ice cream, alcohol will delay – even prevent – the freezing, so do take this into account when planning ahead).
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