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Sweets are my vice of choice. On most weekends you’ll find me dusted in flour, hunched over the counter trying a new recipe—cookies, cakes, you name it. But when it comes to cold desserts, I tend to freeze up (no pun intended). This was especially true for ice cream. While I—and pretty much everyone I know—love the treat, it always felt like too much of a hassle to get a whole machine and try it at home.
However, after testing the Beautiful by Drew Barrymore ice cream maker, available at Walmart, my homemade ice cream dreams are now a reality; it churns out silky-smooth sweetness every time. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m no expert. My first batch of cookies-and-cream, though, had my guests tricked into thinking otherwise. Set up with a touch-screen interface and three modes for ice cream, gelato, or sorbet, making frozen dessert is as easy as clicking a button. The machine automatically adjusts the churning time based on the setting for optimal texture and taste. There’s a handy trivet to pop in mix-ins without any splatter, which might be the most fun part—we’ve tried candy bars, nuts, fudge, and of course Oreos. The cherry on top? It only takes about 20 minutes to whip up a pint.
One of my primary concerns was that an ice cream maker would be too bulky for a notoriously tiny NYC kitchen. But this one, at 9 inches wide, is surprisingly compact. Available in five hues—I opted for lavender—it’s not one of those gadgets that takes up valuable real estate on your countertop, becoming an eyesore. The pastel colorway, paired with the machine’s softly curved edges, pared-back silhouette, and gold-embossed accents, actually enhances the look of my kitchen.
Now for the not-so-fun aspect—the cleanup. I’ll be honest, I might have been a little reluctant, assuming the process would be a chore. Luckily, though, the electrical parts detach seamlessly from the washable bits, so tidying up is a breeze. The touch screen and exterior just need a quick swipe if any drips occur. I tackled the rest with my standard dish soap and a sponge; it took me all of five minutes.
I thought I’d still stick to the comfort of baking after trying out the ice cream maker for this story, but I find myself reaching for it when the occasion calls for a more fun, interactive treat. There’s no better party trick than a fully personalized dessert served as nonchalantly as a store-bought box of cookies. Psst: If you’re looking for more countertop cuties like this, be sure to check out the full Beautiful by Drew Barrymore line here.