Book Review: Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream Desserts

Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream Desserts
By Jeni Britton Bauer

Reviewed by Laura Richardson, Librarian

When it comes to ice cream, Jeni knows her stuff and she’s willing to tell you everything you need to succeed. If you have an ice cream maker languishing in storage, dust it off and check out this book! Don’t be put off by the complicated concoctions on the cover. You can start simple, with no difficult techniques. The “basic” sweet cream is actually my favorite. Of course, I haven’t made the Black Forest flavor yet ...

I have tried LOTS of recipes since receiving an ice cream maker last Christmas, and Jeni’s are reliable, perfectly textured, and incredibly delicious. You have to follow the directions closely, and they require some special equipment and stove time (it can be hard to wait while it cools!). If you're really into ice cream, though, it's totally worth it.

In her first book, Jeni stuck pretty closely to her basic elements for ice cream, yogurt, and sorbet. The new book, in addition to all of the amazing baked goods, sauces, and mix-ins, contains some custard recipes, a soft-serve base, and even dairy-free and vegan "crème sans lait" with coconut oil.

What makes this book a real treasure is how far beyond ingredients it goes. I highly recommend that you read the introductory sections. Yep, I usually skip those, too. In this case, however, they contain valuable information AND convey Jeni's enthusiasm for her subject. Throughout the book are references to the people and places that have inspired different desserts, from a flavor honoring Zelda Fitzgerald to great-grandfather Floyd Britton's "Mush Cake" remembered from days at a lakeside cabin.

Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream Desserts has elevated my ice cream appreciation to a new level. It's an excellent recipe book that's actually a pleasure to read, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Find this book in the library catalog.

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