While some people might see ice cream as a summer treat, a woman from Kleefeld is finding that people enjoy this delicious dish throughout the year.
For April Forgo, making ice cream has become a joyful and creative pastime. She started this delicious hobby nearly a year ago when she discovered an ice cream maker as part of a kitchen appliance set. It didn’t take long for her to dive into a world of flavours and share her unique creations with family and friends.
The Beginning of a Delicious Journey
It all started when Forgo found a mixer that came with an ice cream bucket. Her curiosity piqued, she began to explore the possibilities by researching recipes and techniques.
“Sometimes I follow a recipe, but often I just pull ideas out of a hat,” she shares, emphasizing her love for creativity in the kitchen. Forgo has some special tricks she keeps secret, but she encourages people to try their hand at homemade ice cream.
Flavourful Adventures
Forgo’s ice cream repertoire is anything but ordinary. While she appreciates classic flavours like vanilla—"the right kind of vanilla with a good balance of cream and milk can be delicious"—she enjoys pushing the boundaries of flavour. Some of her standout creations include:
- Lemon Cream Ice Cream: A refreshing twist that she describes as one of her favourites.
- Mint Chocolate Chip and Rocky Road: Classics that never go out of style.
- Fresh Strawberry Ice Cream: Made with strawberries picked straight from the farm.
- Pumpkin Chai Spice Ice Cream: A seasonal treat she’s currently experimenting with.
- Mango with Indian Spices: A unique flavour inspired by online recipes that she adapted to her taste.
As part of a church fundraising auction, Forgo offered a unique ice cream experience for people to bid on. Those who placed winning bids were invited to her home to enjoy a selection of her homemade flavours. She says this event allowed her to connect with new people and share her passion.
Tips for Aspiring Ice Cream Makers
If making your own ice cream sounds intriguing, Forgo offers some helpful advice. She suggests starting with basic recipes that only require a few ingredients.
“Some ice creams are very easy to make; you just stir a couple of ingredients together and freeze them,” she explains.
More complex flavours may require cooking and chilling different components, which Forgo says will take more time.
She notes that it is important to have the right balance between cream and milk so your ice cream will have a smooth texture.
“Using the wrong mix can lead to a cloying, icy texture,” she warns. She prefers using whipping cream combined with 3% cow's milk for the best results. Forgo also recommends adding a small amount of alcohol, like real vanilla extract, to help prevent iciness and enhance flavour.
Family Feedback and Future Flavours
Forgo’s family has been her biggest supporters. Her daughter loves vanilla ice cream, while she has made green tea ice cream to cater to her daughter’s taste. Last Christmas, she gifted her kids homemade ice cream based on their favourite flavours, a thoughtful touch that was well received.
Looking ahead, Forgo is excited to try new flavours, including butterscotch ripple, and is considering experimenting with different fruits besides strawberries and raspberries. She even has plans to try making ice cream with goat milk for those who might have dairy intolerances.
A Sweet Invitation
As we enter a cooler season, Forgo hopes to inspire others to embark on their ice cream-making journey.
“It’s a fun and creative way to spend time in the kitchen,” she says, encouraging everyone to take the plunge and create their own unique flavours. Whether you prefer classic vanilla or adventurous combinations, making ice cream at home can be a delightful hobby that brings friends and family together for sweet, shared experiences.
@steinbach_online April Forgo creates mouthwatering ice cream right at home, experimenting with lots of different #flavours. Here she made #Pumpkin #Chai #Spice #icecream for the first time. #delicious #autumn #kitchen @Cuisinart #SteinbachOnline #Manitoba #dessert #homemade ♬ original sound - SteinbachOnline