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The Perfect Scoop: Ice Creams, Sorbets, Granitas, and Sweet Accompaniments Paperback – May 4, 2010

by David Lebovitz (Author)

4.7 2,731 ratings

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Ripe seasonal fruits. Fragrant vanilla, toasted nuts, and spices. Heavy cream and bright liqueurs. Chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate. Every luscious flavor imaginable is grist for the chill in The Perfect Scoop, pastry chef David Lebovitz’s gorgeous guide to the pleasures of homemade ice creams, sorbets, granitas, and more.

With an emphasis on intense and sophisticated flavors and a bountiful helping of the author’s expert techniques, this collection of frozen treats ranges from classic (Chocolate Sorbet) to comforting (Tin Roof Ice Cream), contemporary (Mojito Granita) to cutting edge (Pear-Pecorino Ice Cream), and features an arsenal of sauces, toppings, mix-ins, and accompaniments (such as Lemon Caramel Sauce, Peanut Brittle, and Profiteroles) capable of turning simple ice cream into perfect scoops of pure delight.

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Print length

256 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Ten Speed Press
Publication date

May 4, 2010
Dimensions

7.35 x 0.72 x 10.5 inches
ISBN-10

158008219X
ISBN-13

978-1580082198
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The Perfect Scoop: Ice Creams, Sorbets, Granitas, and Sweet Accompaniments

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"The original ice cream tour de force."
—Cookbooker.com, paperback edition review, 6/2/10

"Here is the rare book in which the recipes live up to the delicious promise of their names . . . The collection of ice creams ranges from the sophisticated to the delightfully childish."
—New York Daily News

Amazon 2007 Top 10 Editor's Picks in Cooking, Food & Wine
"The Perfect Scoop digs right into what you need to know for successful ice creams, sherbets, gelatos, sorbets, frozen yogurts, and granitas."
—New York Times

"Having churned out ice cream at home and in professional kitchens for a quarter century, Lebovitz can guide even a beginner to a great frozen experience. . . . Truly the Good Humor man of home ice cream."
—San Francisco Chronicle

One of the best gift books of the year: "The scoop in the title is perfect, and so is everything else about this cookbook on homemade ice cream. It's informative, full of charm, and loaded with irresistible and impeccably tested recipes."
—Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"Everything you need to know about making anything remotely connected with ice cream . . . Lebovitz is an entertaining read . . . the recipe headnotes alone are worth the price of the book."
—Oregonian

"Packed with beautiful photos and great-sounding recipes."
—Omaha World-Herald

"If you are one of those people who‚ 'scream for ice cream,' then you will whoop for The Perfect Scoop. . . Ice cream aficionados should be delighted with The Perfect Scoop. It is delicious."
—Peter Franklin's Cookbook Nook, United Press Syndicate

"The author's 25 years of experience as a frozen-dessert maker are put to excellent use in this wittily written, detailed volume. . . . Great photos and plenty of practical advice combine to make this an appealing and useful resource for the dessert aficionado."
—Publishers Weekly

"If you love cold sweets but never dared own an ice-cream machine for fear you'd soon weigh 300 pounds, then consider this book; you may just find some happy compromises."
—Epicurious.com

"This is the only book you'll ever need to make stellar ice cream."
—Gale Gand, host of Food Network's Sweet Dreams

"Finally, someone has done real justice to my favorite food, ice cream. David's book is full of new ideas for cold delights and great takes on my favorite chocolate treats."
—John Scharffenberger, cofounder of Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker and author of Essence of Chocolate

"I screamed, you'll scream—we all scream for David's wonderful ice cream! I highly recommend this book for all ice cream junkies."
—Sherry Yard, pastry chef at Spago and author of The Secrets of Baking

"The Perfect Scoop is luscious and perfectly luxurious—even David's accompaniments and accessories ('mix-ins' and 'vessels' as he calls them) sparkle sweetly."
—Lisa Yockelson, author of Baking by Flavor and ChocolateChocolate

About the Author

DAVID LEBOVITZ has been a professional cook and baker for most of his life; he spent nearly thirteen years at Chez Panisse until he left the restaurant business in 1999 to write books. He moved to Paris in 2004 and turned davidlebovitz.com into a phenomenally popular blog. He is the author of six books, including The Perfect Scoop, Ready for Dessert, The Great Book of Chocolate, and a memoir called The Sweet Life in Paris, and he was named one of the Top Five Pastry Chefs in the Bay Area by the San Francisco Chronicle. David has also been featured inBon Appétit, Food & Wine, Cook’s Illustrated, the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times, Saveur, Travel + Leisure, and more.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

BASICS

Whether you’re a novice or a highly experienced cook, you will find it’s easy to make the freshest, most unbelievably tasty ice creams, sorbets, sherbets, and granitas in your own kitchen. If you’ve never done it before, prepare to be wowed. Nothing beats the taste of freshly made ice cream spooned directly from the machine.

In this chapter you’ll find all the information you’ll need to do it. Starting with step-by-step instructions for making the perfect ice cream custard, I’ll take you through the process--including some pitfalls to avoid and steps to take in case you manage to fall into one of them. The best ingredients and the right equipment are crucial to making really perfect ice creams and sorbets. I’ll give you advice to help you make your choices, including information about the differences among various models of ice cream makers, if you don’t have one yet.

Making the Perfect Ice Cream Custard

Many of the ice cream recipes in this book are custard-based, or French-style ice creams. Others are Philadelphia-style, which refers to ice cream made simply by mixing milk or cream with sugar and other ingredients. French-style ice creams tend to be richer and smoother, due to the emulsifying properties of egg yolks. My fruit-based ice creams tend to be Philadelphia-style, since I prefer to let the flavor of the fruits come forward without all the richness. But in some cases I offer a flavor in both styles, so you can decide which you prefer.

If you’ve never made a French-style stovetop ice cream custard before, follow these step-by-step instructions to ensure success (in some recipes, the procedure may vary slightly). Although I make my custards in a saucepan over moderate heat, you may wish to cook your custard in a double boiler the first few times or use a flame tamer to diffuse the heat, until you get the hang of it. It will take longer to cook, but you’ll appreciate the extra time to watch and make sure it cooks to just the right consistency.

Before getting started, prepare an ice bath to expedite the chilling of the custard. Make one by putting some ice in a large bowl and then adding a cup or two of cold water so the ice cubes are barely floating. You can also partially fill an empty sink with ice and some water. Most custard-based ice cream recipes call for pouring the warm, just-cooked custard right into the cream, which helps stop the cooking and expedites cooling. Set the bowl of cream in the ice bath, put a strainer over the top and make sure to keep it nearby; after you’ve cooked the custard, you’ll need to pour it into the bowl right away.

Heat the milk or the liquid called for in the recipe with the sugar in a medium-sized saucepan on the stove. Always use nonreactive cookware, such as stainless steel or anodized aluminum.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks.

The next step is to temper the yolks. Here’s where you need to be careful. Once the milk is hot and steamy, slowly and gradually pour the milk into the egg yolks (1), whisking constantly, which keeps the yolks moving and avoids the risk of cooking them into little eggy bits. I find it best to remove the saucepan from the heat and use a ladle to add the hot liquid while whisking. If you add the hot liquid too fast or don’t whisk the egg yolks briskly, they’ll cook and you’ll end up with bits of scrambled eggs.

Scrape the warmed egg yolks back into the saucepan. Then stir the custard over moderate heat, using a heatproof utensil with a flat edge. I like to use a silicone rubber spatula, although a straight-edged wooden spatula works well too. Cook, stirring nonstop, until the mixture thickens and coats the spatula. While cooking the custard, be sure to scrape the bottom of the saucepan while stirring. Don’t be timid; keep the custard mixture moving constantly while it’s cooking, and do not let the custard boil!

Custard Rescue

If your custard does boil or curdle, you can rescue it by blending it while it’s warm with an immersion or standing blender. Don’t fill a blender container more than half full with hot liquid since the steam will expand inside and can force off the lid. Ouch.

You’ll know your custard’s done when it begins to steam and you feel it just beginning to cook as you scrape the spatula across the bottom of the pan. You can test it by running your finger across the spatula coated with custard: It’s done when your finger leaves a definite trail that doesn’t flow back together (2). You can check for doneness with an instant-read thermometer too; it should read between 170°F (77°C) and 175°F (79°C) when the custard is done. Egg safety experts recommend cooking eggs to a minimum temperature of 160°F (71°C), but don’t let them get above 185°F (85°C) or you’ll have scrambled eggs.

It’s ready! Without delay, take the custard off the heat and immediately pour the hot mixture through the strainer into the chilled bowl of cream in its ice bath, and stir (3). This will lower the temperature of the custard right away to stop the cooking (4). Stir frequently to help the custard cool down. Once it’s cool, refrigerate the custard with the lid slightly ajar. It should be very cold before churning it. I recommend chilling most mixtures for at least 8 hours or overnight.

Chill the machine in advance. If you’re using an ice cream maker that requires prefreezing, make sure the canister spends the required amount of time in the freezer--whatever’s recommended by the manufacturer. Although it may feel frozen to the touch before the recommended time, take it from me: If you use the machine prematurely you’ll end up watching the mixture go round and round without freezing--a big disappointment. Don’t cheat! Most machines require 24 hours of prefreezing.

Some machines work best if you switch them on and get the dasher (the turning blade) moving before pouring in your mixture, since on some models the custard will begin freezing to the sides immediately when you pour it in, which can prevent the dasher from turning.

Although some experts say that most ice cream benefits from being allowed to “ripen” in the freezer for a few hours before serving, they can wait patiently for their rock-hard ice cream to ripen; I’m happy to enjoy the soft, freshly frozen stuff right from the machine as well. If your ice cream has been in the freezer for a long time, it will most likely benefit from being taken out 5 to 10 minutes prior to serving to allow it to soften to the best texture.

Keep It Clean and Play It Safe

Ice cream is a dairy product, so it’s important to keep things as clean and hygienic as possible. Make sure all equipment is sparkling clean. Wash your hands after handling raw eggs, and clean the washable parts of your ice cream maker in very hot water (or as indicated by the manufacturer) after each use. Chill custards with eggs and dairy products promptly, and store them in the refrigerator.

All of the ice cream recipes in this book that require egg yolks are cooked as custards on the stovetop. If you have concerns about egg safety, use an instant-read thermometer to check the temperature. Most harmful bacteria don’t survive at temperatures higher than 160°F (71°C). Pasteurized eggs in their shells are available in some areas and can be used if you wish.

INGREDIENTS

Alcohol

Alcohol does two things in ice cream: it prevents ice creams and sorbets from freezing too hard (alcohol doesn’t freeze), and it provides flavor. In some recipes you can omit it if you’ll be serving kids or anyone who is avoiding alcohol. In other cases it’s a vital flavor component, as in the Prune-Armagnac Ice Cream (page 78).

I frequently use kirsch, a distillation of cherries, to heighten the flavors of many fruit- or berry-based frozen desserts without interfering with the fresh fruit flavors. A few drops can transform a ho-hum fruit purée into something vibrant.

When buying liquor for cooking, my rule is to get a brand that you wouldn’t mind drinking on its own, but you don’t need to buy the most expensive bottle.

How Can I Make Softer Ice Cream and Sorbets?

Adding a bit of alcohol will give your ice creams and sorbets a better texture, since alcohol doesn’t freeze. For fruit-based recipes, spirits like kirsch, vodka, gin, and eau-de-vie will enhance the flavor and produce a softer texture by preventing ice crystals from forming. Use caution, though: If you add too much, the mixture might not freeze at all, and you’ll be left with a runny mess. In general, you can add up to 3 tablespoons (45 ml) of 40 percent (80 proof) liquor, such as rum or whiskey, to 1 quart (1 liter) of custard or sorbet mixture without any problems. I do push the limits with my boozy Eggnog Ice Cream (page 58).

Berries

Fresh berries are seasonal and should be used only when they’re at their peak. I’ve never tasted a “fresh” berry that had been flown around the world that wasn’t flavorless or bitter, so I never use them. I do use frozen berries, which can be quite tasty if you find a good brand, and they’re generally less expensive than fresh berries. If buying frozen, choose berries that are unsweetened and individually quick frozen (IQF), rather than the sweetened ones packed like blocks of ice. When measuring frozen berries for recipes, be sure to measure them while they’re frozen, since as they defrost they decrease substantially in volume.

Fresh berries should be plump and juicy when you buy them. Strawberries should be very fragrant and uniformly red, with no green “shoulders” or dark bruises. Peek under berry baskets before buying to see if there’s dampness, which often indicates unseen spoilage.

I don’t wash blackberries and raspberries, since they’re fragile and will lose their delicacy, but fresh strawberries should always be rinsed and drained well before they’re hulled and sliced to remove any grit. Fresh blueberries and cherries should be rinsed and drained as well.

Butter

For the recipes in this book that call for butter, use either unsalted or salted butter as noted.

Chocolate

Bittersweet and Semisweet Chocolate: Unlike the old days, new brands of chocolate are being introduced all the time, and deciding which one is best to use can be a bit confusing.

Bittersweet and semisweet are interchangeable terms, and chocolates labeled as such must contain a minimum of 35 percent cocoa solids. But many premium brands nowadays have a much higher percentage so I advise you to taste as many chocolates as you can (a delicious task) to find brands you like in your price range. In a couple of recipes, I advise using chocolate with a certain percentage of cocoa solids, which you’ll find listed on the packaging.

Unsweetened chocolate, often called bitter chocolate (not bittersweet) contains no sugar.

Buying chocolate in bulk is more economical than purchasing little bars, and dark chocolate will keep perfectly well in a cool, dark place (not the refrigerator) for several years. See Resources (page 237) for some recommended brands.

Chocolate Chips: Most chocolate chips are formulated with less cocoa butter so they’ll retain their shape when heated. I use them in baked goods like meringues and cookies (and for snacking), but not for melting. Most supermarket chocolate chips are fine to use, although I usually treat myself to premium brands.

Cocoa Nibs: These crunchy bits of roasted cocoa beans are the essence of pure chocolate without any added sugar. They remain delightfully crisp even when folded into ice cream. Cocoa nibs are available at specialty shops and well-stocked supermarkets. See Resources (page 237) for online purchasing.

Cocoa Powder: All recipes that call for cocoa powder use unsweetened cocoa powder. Do not use cocoa drink mixes or products labeled “powdered chocolate,” which contain sugar and other ingredients.

In most cases I specify Dutch-process cocoa powder, which has been acid-neutralized and is darker in color than natural cocoa powder. I find it more flavorful and prefer it for my ice creams and sorbets. If your cocoa powder has been “Dutched,” it should say so somewhere on the packaging, or it will list an alkalizing agent in the ingredient list. All European brands of cocoa powder are likely to be Dutch-processed.

Milk Chocolate: Milk chocolate is chocolate that’s been mellowed by the addition of milk. Although ordinary brands must contain a minimum of 10 percent cocoa solids (in the U.S.), you should search out a premium brand with at least 30 percent cocoa solids and avoid using mass-marketed candy bars. They’re not intended for cooking, as they contain the minimum amount of cocoa solids and are often quite sweet. Milk chocolate will keep for about one year if stored in a cool, dark place.

White Chocolate: Real white chocolate is made with pure cocoa butter, and that should be the only fat listed on the label. Cocoa butter is ivory colored, not truly white, so anything that is pure white is not likely to be real white chocolate. Quality is very important when selecting white chocolate, and buying a premium brand is always worth it. White chocolate will keep for about one year if stored in a cool, dark place.

Chopping Chocolate

The most effective tool for chopping chocolate is a long, serrated bread knife. You’ll find a big, thick block easier to tackle if you start to chop at one corner. As you cut a wider swath, turn the block and start chopping at another corner. If a recipe calls for finely chopped chocolate, the pieces should be no larger than 1/4 inch (1 cm). Coarsely chopped chocolate means pieces that are about 3/4 inch (2 cm).

Coconut and Coconut Milk

I prefer to use unsweetened dried coconut, rather than the sweetened flakes from the supermarket, so I can control the sweetness in the final product. Dried unsweetened coconut is available in natural and specialty food stores.

If you can’t find unsweetened coconut, soak sweetened coconut in hot water. Rinse it afterward, then wring it firmly with your hands and let it dry before using.

Coconut milk is the extracted liquid from coconut meat. Very good canned brands are available in Asian and ethnic markets, as well as in well-stocked supermarkets. The best brand is from Thailand, labeled Chaokoh. (Beware of similar-sounding brand names.) Do not substitute heavily sweetened Coco López or products labeled “cream of coconut.”

Coffee

Much of the success of any coffee-based ice cream or granita depends upon the quality and strength of the coffee or espresso you use. The recipes in this book call for strong, freshly brewed coffee or espresso. If you must use instant coffee or espresso powder, be sure to use a very good brand. The substitution ratio for these recipes is 1 rounded teaspoon of top-quality instant coffee or espresso powder to 1/4 cup (60 ml) of hot water.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ten Speed Press (May 4, 2010)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 158008219X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1580082198
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.9 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.35 x 0.72 x 10.5 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #190,598 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #73 in Cheese & Dairy Cooking
- #78 in Confectionary Desserts
- #90 in Frozen Dessert Recipes

Customer Reviews:
4.7 2,731 ratings

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David Lebovitz

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Author of The Perfect Scoop, the complete guide to making the best ice cream and frozen desserts at home, Ready for Dessert, a compilation of baking favorites, from an extra-moist Fresh Ginger Cake, to crunchy Double-Chocolate Biscotti, My Paris Kitchen, stories and recipes from the glorious foods markets and shops in Paris, and Drinking French, recipes and stories inspired by the iconic café drinks, apéritifs, and cocktails of France.

Customer reviews

2,731 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the recipes in the book nice, adaptable, and well-written. They also say the instructions are clear, simple, and approachable. Readers describe the information as very informative, interesting, and helpful. They mention the ice cream comes out perfect every time. They appreciate the beautiful pictures and variety of recipes.

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Recipes quality Ease of follow Information quality Ice cream quality Photography Variety Fun to read Value for money

358 customers mention "Recipes quality"358 positive0 negative

Customers find the recipes in the book nice, with good flavor profiles. They say the adaptability to variations allows them to feel creative. Readers also appreciate the well-written and personal introductions to each recipe. In addition, they say the Vietnamese coffee is perfect for breakfast.

"...It tasted good but the texture was so weird and unfortunately I just couldn't get past the weird texture to truly enjoy the flavor...." Read more

"...This book is wonderfully instructive. Besides providing an amazing array of recipes, David explains all the basics of ice cream making -..." Read more

"...Had I started with this one I would not have needed the other 3. Recipes a plenty. We LOVE Sorbets! Peace out." Read more

"...The Vietnamese coffee is perfect for breakfast (notice I didn't say with breakfast), the panaforte, though very sweet, is utterly, absolutely divine..." Read more

200 customers mention "Ease of follow"177 positive23 negative

Customers find the book easy to follow. They mention it has beautiful pictures and clear instructions. Readers also say the author is approachable, down-to-earth, and well organized. They appreciate the writing style as laid-back and engaging.

"...gives step-by-steps to making caramel (which is in the book) and it's so darn easy and I nearly wanted to faint after eating the ice cream...." Read more

"Easy to understand and easy on the eyes with so many beautiful photos of ice cream...." Read more

"...OMG!And on a whim I made the sugared almonds--surprisingly easy, fast and terrific and unfortunately, gobble-worthy...." Read more

"I made the chocolate peanut butter ice cream. Was so easy to follow the instructions. Tasted great. Lots of things to try" Read more

101 customers mention "Information quality"97 positive4 negative

Customers find the book very informative, packed with information, and stories. They say it's a good reference point, with helpful suggestions for pairings, blends, and ideas. Readers mention the book covers all the information for making ice cream.

"...a quippy writer and I didn't find any fluff, just straight forward, interesting and educational content...." Read more

"...So it made sense for me to go to the source. This book is wonderfully instructive...." Read more

"...The recipes I would say are traditional flavors and some have a modern twist. Nothing really weird.Love it!..." Read more

"...Vanilla yogurt is surprisingly fast and easy, and all too refreshing as is the lemon. The Lemon! OMG!..." Read more

48 customers mention "Ice cream quality"39 positive9 negative

Customers say the recipes are simple and the ice cream comes out perfect every time. They also mention that the book is the definitive book on ice cream making, and their abilities have skyrocketed. Readers also mention that the vanilla is amazing, the dark chocolate is terrific, and even the simplest vanilla is creamy and delicious.

"...I would guess that this is the definitive book on ice cream making, and David's writing style also makes it enjoyable to read." Read more

"...Whether I follow the recipe exactly or not, the ice cream comes out rich & creamy, with a nice 'mouth feel', not too heavy to be fully enjoyed...." Read more

"...The Green Tea was not bitter and the Chocolate was devine. I am every excited to try the other flavors...." Read more

"...or even if you have as the recipes are simple and the ice cream comes out perfect every single time." Read more

42 customers mention "Photography"42 positive0 negative

Customers find the photography in the book beautiful, large, and colorful. They also say it's nicely bound and a great addition to display on their coffee tables.

"...through the book with my daughter drooling next to me over the beautiful photos. So far, every recipe I've tried has turned out fabulously...." Read more

"Easy to understand and easy on the eyes with so many beautiful photos of ice cream...." Read more

"...From the first moment I was drawn to the crisp, beautiful photos...." Read more

"...I highly recommend this book and all of his books. Beautifully illustrated and very well written. You won't regret it...." Read more

31 customers mention "Variety"31 positive0 negative

Customers find the book has a wonderful variety of recipes. They mention it contains unique combinations and is diversified for a wide range of experience and palates. Readers also mention the book offers tips for different combinations or mix-ins.

"...He offers tips for different combinations or mix ins, and with that, the only real limit is your imagination." Read more

"...All things considered, I really think this is a great book with plenty of variety to keep me happily churning out treats for my family & friends for..." Read more

"...He even includes a section on different vessels in which to present your ice cream...." Read more

"...There are so many recipes, so much variety, it's a bit overwhelming at first! But I've worked my way through several of them...." Read more

23 customers mention "Fun to read"23 positive0 negative

Customers find the book entertaining to read, easy to follow, and addictive. They appreciate the few-sentence stories that Mr. Lebovitz includes with each recipe. Readers also say it gives a nice feeling of reading a literature book instead of a recipe book. In addition, they mention the look and feel of the book are perfect.

"...on ice cream making, and David's writing style also makes it enjoyable to read." Read more

"...making your own ice cream from the recipes in this book is downright addictive, and your friends & family will be lining up to be your taste-..." Read more

"...get past the novelty of the creativity, you're still left with a mouth-watering, delicious batch of ice cream...." Read more

"Such a fun cookbook and so many great recipes!!..." Read more

30 customers mention "Value for money"19 positive11 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the value for money of the book. Some mention it's worth the price, while others say it's not worth buying.

"...The recipes are solid and worth it." Read more

"I felt the price was high for this book" Read more

"...It is well worth the effort to use the best indredients you can find/afford (chocolate, vanilla beans...)...." Read more

"...maker, there are many varieties that work well, are easy to use, and affordable...." Read more

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The Perfect Scoop is the perfect book

Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2013

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This past spring/summer I got on a crazy canning kick--jams, peaches, sauces, etc. We live near one of the best ice cream shops in Los Angeles (don't worry, I'm getting to the point) where they serve "homemade" ice cream like "Guinness" ice cream, salted caramel, Rose Petal, lavender honey--ice creams made with real mint, rose petals, etc. So, back to being on a homemade everything kick, I decided it would be fun to get an ice cream maker for our anniversary so we could make homemade ice cream like our favorite local shop (and seriously, save $$ considering how much we spent there this summer). My first attempt was Lavender Honey Vanilla Bean ice cream (yes, I dove right in). Unfortunately, while the recipe had great ingredients, it didn't give me proper directions on making a custard, so, you guessed it, my custard curdled (which i didn't realize) and my ice cream turned out lumpy. It tasted good but the texture was so weird and unfortunately I just couldn't get past the weird texture to truly enjoy the flavor.

Then I came across David's blog and his Chocolate Mint Ice Cream recipe which then led me to his book, The Perfect Scoop, and I felt like I hit gold. I was in heaven leafing through the book with my daughter drooling next to me over the beautiful photos. So far, every recipe I've tried has turned out fabulously. He goes into detail about the proper tools, equipment and step-by-step methods (including how to prevent curdled custard!!). I've made Chocolate Mint (his book only has Mint, but all you need to do is add the chocolate during the churning process) and Holy Cow!!! the best mint ice cream I've ever tasted and I'm a true mint chip connoisseur! Next came Lavender Honey (and I added Vanilla Bean just because) and oh my yumm-o! Pure decadence. Following was salted caramel. OK, this recipe isn't in his book, it's on his blog, but again, he gives step-by-steps to making caramel (which is in the book) and it's so darn easy and I nearly wanted to faint after eating the ice cream. He even has a Guinness recipe (you know what's next for me!).

The book covers various inspirations surrounding the colder desserts: ice creams, sorbets and granitas. From the simplest chocolate or vanilla ice cream (with and without custard base) to complex, more labor-intensive combinations. He covers a variety of homemade topping/sauces/accompaniments, mix-ins, and methods of presentations (ex: ice cream cookies, truffles, sugar cups, etc.)--assuming you can keep yourself from eating them before you add the ice cream. I really enjoyed his little anecdotes before each recipe, usually detailing where the recipe came from or how it was inspired. He's a quippy writer and I didn't find any fluff, just straight forward, interesting and educational content.

I can't wait to try every single one of the ice creams and although I'm not a huge sorbet or granites lover, the flavors he puts together will tempt me for something a bit healthier. This is a great book and you will definitely not be disappointed with the results. Seriously, you will impress your guests with these homemade ice desserts. While making ice cream isn't as easy as dumping ingredients into a machine (unless you have $1000) David's directions are so clear and concise that it feels almost effortless. Oh, and check out his blog for even more inspiration. And I promise, he's not paying me to write this, he doesn't need to.

31 people found this helpful

Comprehensive and illuminating

Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2024

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When searching online for ice cream recipes, I saw several references to David Lebovitz and his book, The Perfect Scoop. So it made sense for me to go to the source. This book is wonderfully instructive. Besides providing an amazing array of recipes, David explains all the basics of ice cream making - ingredients, their properties, and preparation techniques. He has chapters on sauces, toppings, mix-ins, and a variety of baked goods for creating outstanding ice cream desserts. I would guess that this is the definitive book on ice cream making, and David's writing style also makes it enjoyable to read.

5 people found this helpful

Packed with recipes for Lello 4080, baby!

Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2024

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This is my 4th ice cream cookbook. Had I started with this one I would not have needed the other 3. Recipes a plenty. We LOVE Sorbets! Peace out.

Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2024

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Easy to understand and easy on the eyes with so many beautiful photos of ice cream.

The main things I learned: sorbet is just fruit + sugar; ice cream is sugar plus dairy (milk, heavy cream or sour cream) and frozen custard is ice cream ingredients plus 4-6 egg yolks. Sharing my creations, I also learned that everyone has VERY different tastes. I love me some custard but others prefer the sweet fruitiness of sorbet.

I’ve been experimenting and have made 5 recipes. My two favorite I totally improvised as they were not in the book: orange creamsicle frozen custard and cherry vanilla frozen custard with a slice of Whole Foods cherry pie blended in. So I guess the book is great because it also gave me enough insight on how to do the basics so that I can experiment and do my own thing. The recipes I would say are traditional flavors and some have a modern twist. Nothing really weird.

Love it! BTW, I use a modern ice cream maker with built in compressor.

One person found this helpful

Reviewed in the United States on December 25, 2015

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I've been making ice cream at home for years with my go-to book being Lenotre on Ice Cream. Lenotre is fabulous on the basics but I wanted something more versatile without being gimmicky. After reading reviews for what seemed like every ice cream cookbook out there, I finally selected on this one for several reasons. First, it seemed to have the European sensibility and sophisticated flavors I was looking for. By that I mean, it doesn't have the bizarre medley of 31-flavors that seem to characterize most ice cream books (ooey, gooey chocolate????, maple & bacon !!! . . .), but instead had twists on mainstays along with recipes for those unique and hard-to-find flavors that only seem available in a gelateria down some alley off a back-street in Florence (you know the one) . . .

This cookbook had all that but . . .

There have been hits and misses. First, the misses. The white chocolate was dense and rich with enough butterfat to stick to the roof of my mouth (which is what I wanted), but after a spoonful or so, it was so sweet I could not bear to eat the rest-- and not merely the single scoop in the bowl (and that's saying a lot). To the milk chocolate recipe I impulsively added about half-a-teaspoon of ground espresso beans and can honestly say that the first tasting struck me as a little bit of heaven but after a few spoonfuls it too turned nauseatingly sweet. I made a second batch, this time adding cocoa nibs which hand a nice crunch but added a bitter aftertaste and grittiness, and did nothing to temper the sugary sweetness. The dried apricot w pistachio seemed bland and the pistachios distracting, while a second batch made without the nuts was overwhelmingly yucky, baby-food-like apricot .

So let's talk about what worked. The vanilla was and is fabulous and the stracciatella (essentially italian chocolate chip) is even more fabulous. The Vietnamese coffee is perfect for breakfast (notice I didn't say with breakfast), the panaforte, though very sweet, is utterly, absolutely divine. The almond with cherries is pretty marvelous, the oatmeal cookie is to die for (though diabetic-coma inducing), the rice gelato (rechristened orange risotto) is amazing, but the creme fraiche (oh my, let me count the ways) is incredible. Surely, if heaven had a taste, this would be it (who would have thought)?

Vanilla yogurt is surprisingly fast and easy, and all too refreshing as is the lemon. The Lemon! OMG!

And on a whim I made the sugared almonds--surprisingly easy, fast and terrific and unfortunately, gobble-worthy.

The bottom line, at least some of the recipes seem oriented towards an American palate meaning they're altogether too sugary, but there's enough drool-worthy recipes (and I'm still working my way through the book) that it's a definite keeper.

Now, off to the treadmill!

15 people found this helpful

Top reviews from other countries

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carolina

Melhor livro de receitas de sorvete

Reviewed in Brazil on January 8, 2022

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O autor se preocupa tem explicar fundamentos básicos pra quem está iniciando na fabricacao de sorvetes caseiros . Me aventurei em experimentar grande parte das receitas e todas que fiz ficaram incríveis. Cada receita além de ser bem explicada na introdução o autor conta um pequeno conto sobre o sorvete e sua experiência de vida!

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Amazon Kunde

Great

Reviewed in Germany on December 28, 2023

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Lovely ice cream recipes!

simona b

La bibbia del gelato

Reviewed in Italy on July 30, 2022

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Possiedo tre diversi libri sui gelati, ne ho guardati altri in libreria: questo è definitivamente il più esauriente, completo e dettagliatamente spiegato ogni in commercio.
Ricette a prova di inesperto (io) con abbinamenti e complementi perfetti. Imperdibile.

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Iñaki Ramirez

El libro de helados definitivo.

Reviewed in Spain on March 20, 2021

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De momento, he probado tres recetas y han quedado muy, muy bien. Estoy seguro de que las demás serán igual de buenas. Tiene un montón de recetas para helados, granizados, “granitas” y acompañamientos para los helados. Es super completo. Hay para todos los gustos, incluyendo bastantes con un toque de alcohol. Los comentarios y anécdotas que acompañan a la receta, están escritos con gran sentido del humor. Las fotografías son preciosas. Muy contento con el libro, que es de gran calidad. Está en inglés, pero a mi me vale (si hay alguna duda, google translator hace maravillas). Las cantidades vienen también en gramos y mililitros, así que eso no es problema.

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smi84

Easy to follow and detailed!

Reviewed in India on October 30, 2019

Verified Purchase

Loved it. Been using it with my KitchenAid Ice Cream Churner and there's tonnes of good recipes, pretty simple to follow and really pretty pictures!

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