Episode 80: An (Ice Cream) Dream Come True

Welcome to a very cool, very special 80th episode! Starting things off, the hosts review Cuisinart’s creamy, dreamy Simple Chocolate Ice Cream with Rocky Road mix-ins. Stefin used the original recipe and toasted almonds; Andrea went dairy free with coconut cream and pistachios, and treated herself to a bag of fresh marshmallows (after a much-needed cupboard clean out). Both hosts loved this easy, delicious and versatile ice cream, and so did their families. Quick tip: Since homemade ice cream tends to set up harder than commercial, be sure to take it out of the freezer 10-15 minutes before you serve. This is one to experiment with all summer long.

This week’s “freeze along” is a dairy free, gluten-free, and (could be) sugar-free treat inspired by Preheated listeners: Tahini Chocolate Banana Soft Serve from the Minimalist Baker. Will the combination of frozen bananas and tahini result in a creamy treat, or just a fun experiment? There’s lots to play around with here, including variations on sweetener (maple syrup, dates or Stevia?) nut or seed butters (classic sesame seed tahini, almond or peanut butter?), and (PixiFood-lovers, take note), an optional Magic Shell topping! Have fun, and post your pictures to our Facebook community!

Speaking of dreams coming true, Stefin recently sat down with Helen Goh, Ottolenghi pastry chef and recipe developer, and coauthor of Preheater favorite cookbook, Sweet, to discuss her path to baking fame, her favorite frozen treats, and … popcorn balls! What a fun and gracious guest! Check out Helen’s favorite cookbooks on our Pinterest page, and try her favorite Lemon Poppy Seed Cake. And, of course, next time you’re in London, be sure to stop by one of the Ottolenghi bakeries or restaurants to try her creations first hand!

Finally, the hosts discuss their favorite single-serving desserts when you need to show yourself some love, have a craving for something only you enjoy, or simply don’t want to share! Stefin really, really, really wants to find a Mug Cake that doesn’t taste like hot, raw cookie dough. Listeners, can you help a girl out? She also wants to try Nigella Lawson’s Emergency Brownie recipe from her At My Table book, if only to support what’s perhaps the best recipe title of all time.

Andrea has lots of great ideas for single-serve desserts, including creme brulee made in her Instant Pot (listen back to Episode 73 for more info), single fruit crisps that are perfect for overripe summer fruit, and dessert hummus, which uses one of the hosts’ favorite savory ingredients: chickpeas! (Want another fun dessert featuring chickpeas? Try aquafaba from Episode 20!)

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