We've explored how helpful xanthan gum is in gluten-free baking, but another place it often shows up, along with other stabilizers like carob bean and guar gum, is in ice cream. Why is xanthan gum in ice cream? And does it belong there? More

Yes, yes, yes — we know. We've put practically any food that will hold still in a canning jar. But honestly, when it comes to parties, food in jars is just practical! Check out this prepped-ahead-of-time ice cream party buffet that's served up in a bird bath! More

Item: Cuisinart ICE-100 Ice Cream and Gelato Maker
Price: $299
Overall Impression: An easy and reliable way to make consistently good ice cream at home.

I love making ice cream, but after being spoiled by a glorious industrial ice cream maker I got to play with at the Culinary Institute of America and scarred by a series of misadventures with a "rock salt and ice bucket" model, I was skeptical that I'd ever be able to make it to my satisfaction at home. A compressor model sounded like the ideal solution, so I was curious to try the latest one from Cuisinart, the ICE-100. More

What would Ice Cream Week be without a shout-out to its fun-loving cousin? With both healthy (yogurt, fruit) and boozy (Campari, beer) options, the popsicle—that ode to a summer's day—is now as fully grown-up as you are. Here are a few favorite popsicle recipes from our archives: More

Jeni Britton Bauer has a thing or two to tell artisans who want to create and sell good local food. "Be a rock star. You have to go out there and go at it like you're trying to be President of the United States." In other words, you probably need to do what she did: Work 80 hours a week. Don't take a salary for years. Be on your toes every single day. This is part of Jeni's story, which has become a story of truly local food making good on a wildly successful scale.

We visited Jeni a few weeks ago to hear her story in person, and to visit the kitchen where all her delicious ice cream is made. But that's not all: She's working on a book, and we wanted a sneak peek of the goodies that home cooks are going to get when it's released next summer. More

Oh, hello there! Were you just thinking you'd like a bite of cheesecake without the bother of water baths or a hot kitchen? One that would, perhaps, win you friends and earn you accolades at backyard picnics this summer? Why, me too! Great minds really do think alike. More

It's Ice Cream Week at The Kitchn — a week we look forward to all year long, as an excuse to dip into that sweet, cold, and creamy goodness of homemade ice cream — any flavor you like! We also took this as an excuse to look back at 15 of our all-time favorite ice cream recipes from The Kitchn, from the best chocolate ice cream ever, to ice cream with fresh strawberries, to that famous one-ingredient banana treat.

But that isn't all — read on for mint chocolate chip, brown butter, salted almond, and more. And don't let the lack of an ice cream maker stop you — we have some tips for that too. It's ice cream season — and here we go! More

My fiancé may consider himself an ice cream connoisseur, but even he was hesitant when I told him I was going to make "buttery popcorn" flavored ice cream. I can see how it might seem a bit strange, but I had tasted its perfection myself — in sundae form. At a dinner with fellow food writers last fall, a dessert tasting was ordered to be shared by all. I scoffed at the other desserts, heading straight for the chocolate tart. But after one requisite taste of the popcorn ice cream sundae, my opinion indeed changed. I pulled it close and didn't let another bite out of my sight.

Q: I'm getting married this summer, and we're thinking of serving ice cream instead of cake. I've contacted a local restaurant about making a custom ice cream with chocolate, peanut butter, and raspberry. Any ideas for combining those flavors or classing things up a bit?

Sent by Sarah More

Why limit yourself to cherries and chocolate sauce? The world of ice cream toppings is wide open to your imagination and pantry. Here are five somewhat unusual toppings that add fun color, texture, and flavor to a scoop of ice cream. More