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Summer is finally here! With all the rain and cold that we had in June, it felt as if it would never arrive. It is here in its full glory- scorching hot days and warm humid nights. When I was young, those were the type of days that would send us racing through the streets when we heard the distant music of the ice cream trucks. The entire neighborhood would go running into the house to beg their parents for money so that we could buy the frozen treats that would cool us off and make us so happy. It was so hard to choose: a drumstick, ice cream sandwich or Dreamsicle?? It was hard to imagine that anything could ever taste so delicious!
As an adult, there is still nothing better than ice cream on a hot summer day or on the patio at night, although my tastes have evolved a bit from the ice cream truck days. I now know that ice cream can be made from fresh ingredients and with flavors that are only limited by your imagination – cookie dough, chocolate marshmallow, coffee, mint chocolate chip, etc. And homemade ice cream- whether it be from a favorite little shop, a restaurant, or made at home-is the ultimate treat. The flavors are fresh and make you think of berry fields, campfires with s’mores and chocolate shops. I have also discovered that ice cream, with an adult beverage, can be a fun dessert. A Berry Prosecco ice cream float is as simple as adding fresh berries and a scoop of vanilla ice cream to a glass and topping it off with Prosecco. How fun is that?
Making ice cream at home has definitely become much easier than the days churning for hours. There are a variety of new ice cream makers on the market that allow you to eat a fresh, frozen treat within an hour of thinking of your favorite flavor, which is even quicker than hearing that first sound from the ice cream truck! Marcel’s carries many of the items that you need to help you make these treats at home. On Saturday, July 27, Marcel’s will have Guest Chef, Alissa Wallers of the French Pastry School, churning ice cream and making all handmade toppings in the hands-on cooking class, The Ice Cream Bar. Think Bourbon Vanilla and Coffee ice cream with salted caramel sauce or blueberry compote. How about a chocolate wafer ice cream sandwich cookie? What a fabulous way to beat the summer heat and experiment with recipes and flavors. Kids 12 and older are welcome to join this class so you can start some new family traditions – much better than chasing the ice cream truck!
Marcel’s will also be having a Neighborhood Happy Hour and Grown Up Ice Cream Social on Sunday, July 28 from 2-4 pm. Come join us for some fun, adult ice cream drinks and a snack to beat the heat. There is no cost for this event, but please pre-register. Happy summer and here’s to a big scream for ice cream!