Cool Treats for Hot Days: 3 Easy Options You can Make at Home
The dog days of summer are upon us, and this year, scorching temperatures seem to have engulfed the entire country. But even with the cool comfort of modern air conditioning, there’s something truly delightful about indulging in a cool, sweet treat on a hot summer day.
I think back to childhood summers in South Carolina and the homemade ice cream that we churned out on the back porch. That old hand-crank machine seemed to take forever, but the ice cream was worth the wait. The flavor of choice? Always peach.
Over the last few weeks, my social media feed has been filled with many different frozen desserts. I saw a few options that did not require an ice cream maker, which is an item that I do not have. To my husband’s delight, I decided I would give them a try.
This experiment led me to create three distinct frozen desserts: Strawberry Sorbet, Lemon Sherbet, and Vanilla Ice Cream. Allow me to share my experiences with each delightful creation.
Cool Treat Number 1: Strawberry Sorbet
Sorbet, a concoction of frozen fruit blended with a sweetening agent, was my first endeavor.
Opting for simplicity, I chose the 3-Ingredient Easy Strawberry Sorbet from A Sweet Pea Chef. With just 3 ingredients- strawberries, honey, and water- it was a breeze to put together. And, I already had all of the ingredients on hand.
The frozen strawberries took less than a minute to puree, and the addition of honey and water was equally quick.
We could have enjoyed the sorbet immediately, but I chose to put it into the freezer to enjoy later. Once dessert time arrived, I took the sorbet container from the freezer and let it rest on the counter for about 30 minutes. ( It took a little longer than I thought it would to achieve the perfect texture.)
Taste testing revealed a 10/10 sorbet. So sweet and frosty cool. And so healthy! Just strawberries with a touch of honey… This recipe will end up on my regular rotation.
Cool Treat Number 2: Lemon Sherbet
Sherbet has always been a favorite of mine- that bridge between a sorbet and an ice cream. Although my favorite is lime sherbet, an abundance of lemons in my fridge led me to choose the Lemon Sherbet recipe from Wheel of Baking.
I meticulously followed the recipe in metric measurements, as precision was key for my first attempt. The recipe offered various techniques to achieve the desired sherbet texture, and I chose the method of periodic stirring during freezing. Every 30 minutes, I stirred the mixture, resulting in a wonderfully tart frozen treat.
While I personally enjoyed the tangy profile, my husband and daughter leaned towards a sweeter preference. A future iteration of this recipe will likely incorporate a touch more sugar to cater to their taste.
Cool Treat Number 3: Vanilla Ice Cream
Finally, I turned my attention to the classic favorite – vanilla ice cream. The “3 ingredients” and “No Churn” promise of the 3 Ingredient No Churn Ice Cream recipe from Spend With Pennies drew me in.
The recipe was straightforward, though a bit of planning was needed to chill the necessary containers beforehand. The process of folding whipped cream into condensed milk was oddly satisfying, resulting in an unbelievably smooth, rich ice cream.
Next time I make this, I think I may mix in some cherries and dark chocolate, or maybe strawberries and mint, or Heath Bar crumbles. The options are endless!
In conclusion, these homemade frozen treats have brought a delicious respite from the summer heat. Whether it’s the sweetness of Strawberry Sorbet, the tartness of Lemon Sherbet, or the classic comfort of Vanilla Ice Cream, each creation has its own charm.
As we navigate these final dog days, I encourage you to try a cool treat of your own. Drop me a line to let me know what you make!
