I know, we live in New England and it’s very, very, very…very cold out now, but that doesn’t mean that everyone enjoys roasting marshmallows, sipping hot chocolate, and huddling over glasses of hot buttered rum.  Die hard ice cream lovers enjoy frozen treats all year round. Not to mention, if you run out of time to bake, or order that Yule log for Christmas this year, pull out some tubs of ice cream, add a few bowls of toppings and everyone will think you planned it that way.

We all have different favourites in our family.  I love mint-chocolate chip (I got that from my dad who is probably the greatest ice cream lover in our family).  My husband enjoys a nice classic vanilla, and now that he’s gone off his rocker  dairy-free I’ve found the perfect locally made dairy free ice cream for him.  My son is a fan of two Ben & Jerry’s cookie-themed ice creams.  My daughter likes to sample new and interesting flavours but if there is caramel or mint that’s always a bonus.

Over the last year or so we have two new favorite ice cream companies to enjoy at home.  Jeni’s and Batch.

Jeni’s is from Columbus, Ohio but you can find them at Formaggio Kitchen, South End Buttery and I think at Whole Foods sometimes too.  They have really interesting flavours and really smooth creamy ice cream.  They also make awesome ice cream “accessories” like a dark chocolate crunchy cookie crumble that you can sprinkle on your sundae.  Their Goat Cheese with Red Cherries is one of my favourites.

Batch is from Boston, Massachusetts and my daughter is obsessed with their salted caramel.  Batch is not quite as rich and creamy as Jeni’s but it is packed with flavour.  Some of their other varieties include:  cinnamon and chocolate bits, ginger, and mocha chip.

Henry’s Ben & Jerry’s flavors of choice are:   chocolate chip cookie dough and milk and cookies.  The great thing about Ben & Jerry’s flavours is that you can go with old classics like the cookie dough and Cherry Garcia or get fancy with some of the new flavours with a core or without.
 

I recently had some samples of a new kind of grown up ice cream delivered from BuzzBar.  BuzzBar samples were provided by the company, but as always all opinions are my own.  These are a real grown up treat (as in 21+ photo id required).  I’ve tried to add alcohol to popsicles before at home and it hasn’t worked out so well because getting the mixture to freeze properly is difficult once you add a little bourbon or rum or vodka.  BuzzBar has found a way to make the boozy ice cream novelty bar work!  The chocolate shell is a bit thicker than I usually like (but I tend to be in the minority when it comes to chocolate) and it is slightly waxy, but the ice cream part is perfect!  BuzzBar comes in several flavours, but I especially liked the Drunken Cookie which is a cookies ‘n cream ice cream with Bourbon.

For the non-dairy guests or resident ice cream eaters, there really is nothing better than FoMu.  FoMu is also based in the area, they have amazing, creative flavours as well.  I am not a fan of most “faux dairy” foods, but I’m just as happy with a scoop of FoMu as any other high quality, small batch, plain old delectable cow’s milk ice cream.

Now you just have to think about toppings.  I’m a bit of a purist.  I like my ice cream plain in a cup.  If I want to be really fancy I’ll add a little delicate crepe cookie( Gavottes Crepe Dentelle Cookies – 200 gr decorative tin)or pizzelle.  The kids love to top their ice cream with whipped cream and Dan is a hot fudge and vanilla FoMu kind of guy.

What is your favourite ice cream and topping?