Last week, the book that I had been waiting to read for years – Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams at Home by Jeni Britton Bauer – finally arrived on my door step. Yes, years.
When I first encountered Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams in Columbus, OH several years ago, I knew it was something special. The care and detail that was put into every scoop and every flavor was beyond comparison. I probably ate a scoop of Jeni’s almost every week, maybe more. Before I moved away from Ohio, I had the opportunity to attend an ice cream seminar with Jeni Britton Bauer. During the seminar, Jeni enthusiastically discussed her love for ice cream, the importance of fresh, flavorful ingredients, and the excitement of experimenting with ice cream flavors. Jeni demonstrated how to make a homemade ice cream base she had developed for an article in Food and Wine magazine. A departure from other homemade ice cream recipes, this version excluded eggs and included other ingredients, such as cream cheese and cornstarch, to ensure a soft and scoopable texture. I walked away from the seminar inspired to create my own flavors.
As soon as I returned home from the seminar I made a batch of homemade vanilla ice cream using Jeni’s ice cream base recipe. I tasted it and I was in heaven – I had found my muse. I already preferred the non-custard version of ice cream, and I was now armed with a fool proof ice cream base recipe with which I could easily experiment with different flavor profiles. It was then that I began my journey toward finding the perfect scoop.
I knew after the first time I made Jeni’s ice cream base that a book was in her future. And thus, in a way, I waited years for the book to arrive on my doorstep. When the book finally arrived in the mail last week, I hastily tore open the package and began flipping through the glossy pages. The book is organized by seasons, which speaks to Jeni’s passion about using fresh, in-season ingredients. I found recipes for many of my favorite Jeni’s flavors such as Gravel Road and Wildberry Lavender. The photography in the book is spot on, highlighting the enticing simplicity of a scoop ice cream. In addition to discussing tips about making ice cream, Jeni shares stories about the farmers and artisans who supply the ingredients for her ice cream, giving a personal touch to this already inviting book.
Which recipe did I decide to make first? I flipped through the summer section and landed on a recipe for Watermelon Lemonade Sorbet. I decided to make the recipe partly out of necessity (I had a large container of watermelon in my fridge) and because the scoop sounded perfect for the summer and upcoming 4th of July weekend. I tried a scoop of this sorbet at a Jeni’s store just before moving to New Orleans and I remember that it was sweet and refreshing.
As the sorbet churned in the machine, I continued to flip through the pages of Jeni’s book. So many favorites, so many recipes, and so much information. How could an ice cream lover like me live without this book? You can’t! So I’m giving it away!
Want to know how you can WIN?! See below. (If you can’t wait, click here to order your own copy).
Want to know more about the book? Check out the video below.
Giveaway Details
I will provide one ice cream lover with a copy of their very own Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams at Home book. This giveaway is open to USA residents and will be open until Tuesday July 5th at 12 midnight CST.
All entries will be numbered and the winner will be chosen on July 6th at Random.org. The winner will be announced on the blog and will be notified via email, so please make sure your email address is correct. You will have 48 hours to respond to me or a new winner will be chosen.
Main Entry:
Leave a comment below and tell me about your favorite Jeni’s ice cream flavor and/or why you want this book. If you have never tried Jeni’s ice cream before, then just tell me about your favorite ice cream flavor or experience. Or you can just say Hi!
Extra Entries:
To earn additional entries, complete one or more of the following steps listed below.
- Tweet about this giveaway, for example, “I just entered to win Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams at Home from @scoopmuse. Stop by to enter the giveaway http://bit.ly/lzPVOB Pls RT”
- Follow @scoopmuse on Twitter and send me a tweet to let me know you are a new follower
- Like Scoop Adventures on Facebook and leave a comment on the wall
- Subscribe to Scoop Adventures via RSS or email (leave a comment here to tell me you subscribed)
- Stumble this post
- Blog about a recipe you found on this site (and direct me to the post via twitter or comment).
That’s a total of SEVEN chances to win! Good luck and enjoy the recipe below!
Watermelon Lemonade Sorbet
Slightly adapted from recipe in Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream at Home
Makes 1 quart
4 cups cubed watermelon (about one small watermelon)
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon lemon zest
Place watermelon in a blender and puree until smooth. Measure 2 1/2 cups of puree and pour into a medium bowl. Save remaining puree for another use.
Combine sugar, corn syrup, lemon juice and lemon zest is a small saucepan and place over medium heat. Bring mixture to a boil and cook until the sugar dissolves (about 2 minutes). Remove from heat. Pour sugar syrup into bowl with watermelon puree and stir to combine.
Pour sorbet base into a gallon ziploc bag and seal tightly. Place the bag in an ice water bath and let stand until base is chilled, approximately 30 minutes. Once chilled, pour into an ice cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Place parchment over sorbet (to prevent ice crystals) and freeze until firm, at least 4 hours.
Jackie from La Casa de Sweets says
Love making homemade ice cream! Favorite flavor is cookies and cream!!
Liz Mansfield says
I grew up in Columbus, Ohio and miss Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams more than anything else in that city. Now living in Chicago, I still haven't found anything quite like her Queen City Cayenne or goat cheese base. Being able to create my own Jeni's-inspired ice cream would be a dream come true! I want want WANT to win this book!
urban explorer says
My favorite Jeni's flavor is Roasted Red Cherry & Goat Cheese. I love the delightful indulgence of the creamy goat cheese that's so well balanced with the luciously tart cherry. I am able to find a limited supply of Jeni's in Chicago, at $13 a pint! I visited Columbus last weekend and made Jeni's my first stop of course! Reminded of what I am missing, I need to learn how to make Jeni's quality ice creams of my own at home!
Liz H says
I just started making ice cream at home, so I would LOVE to win this book! Favorite flavor (that I've made) is caramel.
Julia E says
Great post! Jeni's ice cream is delicious. I spent two years in Cincinnati where I could get it easily, but since I live in Massachusetts now, I should probably learn to try to make some of her flavors on my own! Everyone loves Gravel Road, but I think the Riesling Poached Pear and the Cherry Lambic are my favorites!
Janean says
I live right down the street from Jeni's Short North location. I love all the flavors, but my all time favorites are Brambleberry Crisp and Cognac Fig!
Rachel says
Oh how timely! I just saw Jeni's ice cream at a local market and was marveling at the flavors (and also at the price tag–yikes). I would love to try the pistachio honey flavor.
Jen K says
My favorite Jeni's flavor by far is Backyard Mint, I look forward to it every year 😀 I'd really love to have this book because I just moved to Philadelphia, and while there are a few places that carry some pints in the city, the more adventurous flavors are hard to come by, so I'd LOVE to start experimenting with ice cream at home. I'm really eager to poke around the book too, I've heard wonderful things about it but missed the launch party in Columbus. Yay Jeni's!
meg jones wall says
this looks gorgeous! i don't have much of a sweet tooth, so my favorite flavors tend to be lighter – lemon or blueberry sorbets, or coffee ice cream – YUM.
Grace C says
I am very lucky to live in Columbus and just a short walk away from Jeni's. Oh my goodness, her entire business is amazing and making GREAT ice cream? What else could you ask for?!
(Subscribed to your RSS feeds too!) 🙂
Lisa@Sweet as Sugar Cookies says
I've never tried Jeni's ice cream before, but my favorite flavor is cookies and cream.
Lisa@Sweet as Sugar Cookies says
I just tweeted – https://twitter.com/ps152/status/86098922598170624
Jessica haynes says
I've been obsessed with Jeni's for years now. Living in Cincinnati, I've made trips to Columbus just to get a "study" of her seasonal flavors. My all time favorite is Cherry Lambic. I've been making my own ice cream using David Lebovitz's book The Perfect Scoop and I've been anticipating Jeni's release!
Lisa@Sweet as Sugar Cookies says
I'm following you on Twitter.
Kelsey says
I've never been to Columbus Ohio but I have been to pastry school in Chicago. There I heard many people mention the Jeni's and how it was unique but no one was quite sure how/why. Everyone has loved it and I've been curious for ages about it! I just read Urban Explorer's post saying it was sold in Chicago, I wish I had known before I moved to NYC! During the ice cream portion of school I didn't do too well. If you gave me a recipe, sure! But if you gave me the traditional ice cream formula I just didn't know what to do. "Wait, you mean I need x amount of fat to x amount of sugar to x amount of fruit = great ice cream/tremendous mouthfeel/perfect overrun?!" It made me cry. Twice. I just couldn't find a way to wrap my head around the math and its been haunting me for a while. I currently work as a pastry sous chef trying to create vegan recipes of ice creams for people with dairy allergies (like my lil' brother) and I think Jeni's methods would give me an alternate route to make this dream happen! If I wasn't so broke from the high cost of living in NYC I'd buy the book myself, but its too new to find used yet. I'd love to win this book!
Lisa@Sweet as Sugar Cookies says
I'm following you on Facebook.
Briana R says
i looove jeni's ice cream and my favorite item is a sundae with the chocolate ice cream, carmel sauce, and freshly made whipped cream. Yum!!
Theresa says
I live in CA so I haven't tried Jeni's ice cream yet. All the flavors people are talking about sound so yummy! My current craving (I'm pregnant) is cherry chocolate chip ice cream.
Meridith says
I love making ice cream in my Kitchen Aid attachment. My favorite flavor so far has been creamy french vanilla. YUM!
Rachel Wojnarowski says
I discovered Jeni's in our city about six years ago. And now? I can't eat any ice cream but Jeni's. About two months ago, my husband and I were on vacation and I wanted ice cream. Only to be disappointed and want to head back home for our beloved Jeni's. 🙂 Love the lime cardimon sherbet. love the salty caramel and gravel road. In fact, I love it all. 🙂 And I really want this book!
Maria says
I just started making ice cream, and I need all the help I can get! Thanks for the great giveaway!
Casey says
I've never had Jeni's but have always wanted to go ever since a friend from Ohio told me about it! This book sounds awesome!
Kristen | Pixelated Crumb says
You have no idea how excited I was to see your post! I had Jeni's ice cream for the first time when I went to OH to visit my sister a couple of weeks ago (I'll write about it in my blog once I'm caught up). She lives 2 hours from Columbus but we went the day I flew in and I insisted that we go back again when they drove me back to the airport a few days later. The staff was extremely generous and I think between the two visits I tried at least two thirds of the flavors. I was completely smitten. But favorite flavor? Just one? I loved the Rhubarb & Lime Cardamom, the Bourbon Butter Pecan, and the Buckeye State. I'm so excited to learn that she has a cookbook!
Jess says
I am actually the sister the previous poster mentioned! I live in Athens, OH and whenever I go to Columbus, Jeni's is top of my list of places to go, whatever else I may be in Columbus to do. My sister's visit was the perfect excuse to indulge in more Jeni's ice cream and introduce my favorite foodie to the best ice cream I've ever had. Thanks for your great post! If I win the giveaway, I will drool over the photographs and then send the book on to my sister! (My favorite Jeni's flavor? the Salted Caramel – and all the seasonal options!)
Beth says
I grew up in Ohio and went to college in Columbus, which is where I learned to love Jeni's. There is honestly no flavor I've tried that I haven't liked, but I think my favorite is the Apricot Yogurt or Sweet Corn. Both flavors are bright and summery and make me feel like I'm in Ohio. I would love this book because I live in Brooklyn, so it's harder to snag all the seasonal flavors without them being shipped. Also, I've gone through all her recipes from when she was featured in Gourmet Magazine a few years back and would love to fill my freezer with Ohio (and the best damn ice cream in the land!).
Maria says
I've never heard of Jen's before since I'm a California gal, but hubby is from Columbus, OH and we visit occassionally. I'll have to hunt down this ice cream shop. As for favorite flavor: probably the lemon sorbet I tried in Italy eons ago when I was a teenager. It was pure white and full of light, refreshing citrus taste. And thanks for the enthusiasm about this book. I'll definitely be checking it out.
Laura says
My favorite Jeni's flavor is brambleberry crisp! Just had it for the first time this past weekend. And I would love to win this cookbook because I want to try making ice cream.
Leah says
I just got an ice cream maker and love to try new things. I would love a copy of her book! Fingers crossed 🙂
Rhyann says
I really want to start making homemade ice cream. It has always seemed so fun, but a little intimidating, so I would love to have a book that could really show me how to do it! And as far as favorite flavors, ANYTHING with chocolate 🙂
TC says
I've never tried Jeni's ice cream. The book sounds like it's filled with delicious recipes. Although my favorite is probably good ol' vanilla with some chocolate sauce, I've decided to try making a patch of chocolate mint later this summer (when my chocolate mint plant is bigger).
carina says
I love ice cream, and I just recently got my very own ice cream maker so I am always looking for new recipes to make with it!
NMPatti says
My husband is an ice cream nut, so I bought him a Cuisinart ice cream maker for his birthday. I routinely make a fresh strawberry sorbet that he loves, but I want to expand my repertoire to make him happy.
Carmen says
I've never tried Jeni's ice cream, but it sounds like a great book. My favorite ice cream is mint chocolate chip. Actually, chocolate CHUNK (the bigger the chips, the better).
Megan Harris says
I volunteer at the Pearl River Blues Berry farm in Mississippi and found your website on our facebook page. I absolutely love your website! I have spent many hours browsing through it. I too am an ice cream fanatic as it is my favorite food and has been since birth! Thanks so much for your great recipies : )
Valerie says
I've never tired Jen's ice cream but it sounds wonderful! My favorite ice cream flavor is chocolate, of course! 🙂
Meghan says
I have never tried Jen's recipe but I made your strawberry sorbet and it was incredible!
JiMele says
Vanilla has always been my favorite flavor! I blame it on my dad for feeding me Bryer's vanilla bean before I even had teeth 🙂 I have made a small variety of ice cream but I have yet to make vanilla. I think I have just been intimidated to mess up my favorite flavor, but I think it is time to get brave! Thank you for the wonderful recipes!
Kelly says
Too many to choose from. Love chocolate-marshmallow and chocolate-peanut butter combos. Never had Jen's flavors, nor made my own ice cream. I'm awaiting the arrival of my ice cream maker attachment for my Kitchenaid mixer. I can't wait!
MelodyJ says
It's too hard to pick a favorite flavor of ice cream. I found an ice cream maker I want to buy. Now all I need is recipes.
melodyj(at)gmail(dot)com
Shumaila says
These days my favorite is mint choc chip ice cream. I also like strawberry cheesecake flavored icecream. Wait. It's ice cream- I like any or every flavor!
Rose says
Please pick me! I love Jeni's but live so very far away from Columbus! Have already made her pistachio and salty caramel ice creams which are my FAVOURITE ice creams in the world, and I would sooo love to win this book!
Rose says
I follow you on twitter 🙂
Lili says
I don't need to win a copy of this book… I already have it! 🙂
Just want to say that after I first experienced Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams I was determined to find more eggless recipes and YOUR BLOG has also been a huge inspiration to me.
cara says
A friend on Facebook was bragging about the watermelon sorbet he made last week. When I asked for the recipe, it turned out to be this same one from Jeni's book that you shared here. It must be a winning recipe! So I'm getting the ingredients tomorrow to make this for our Fourth of July celebration.
Violetta says
I have tried different flavors of Jeni's ice cream, but my favorite is WILDBERRY LAVENDER!
Tori says
This book looks great! It's always disappointing when I get a new ice cream book and most of them are custard based… I usually don't have that much patience!
Sheila says
Hi! LOVE your blog! I'm a Upicker at PEARL RIVER BLUES and I found your link on Amy's wall last night. I got into it right away!! I made the BLUEBERRY MOJITO SORBET. We love it and I can't wait to make it again. Can't say I've ever sampled any of Jeni's ice cream nor I have I ever heard of her. But after watching her video, I'm very excited about the book. But I love ice cream and any kind frozen concotion I can get my hands on.
Elaine says
I've never had the pleasure of trying Jeni's Ice Cream, but I AM eating the homemade version of her Lemon-Blueberry Frozen Yogurt (recipe from Food & Wine mag) as I write this! No Joke!
I just made this lovely, flavorful frozen concoction today, and am taste-testing it while I peruse you ice cream blog! 🙂
I actually started making homemade ice cream about a year ago, and went to see Jeni give an ice cream demo at a book-signing, but it was postponed!!! So, the grocer gave us a coupon for a FREE pint of Jeni's, for showing up at her event. (It was rescheduled to later this month – can't WAIT!)
It would be AWESOME to win the book, because not only would I have her fabulous story, tips and techniques, but would have it for her upcoming book-signing. OMGOSH! >)
I haven't used my coupon yet, because I want to taste test different flavors before I make the Big Decision! 🙂
Thank you for your generosity!
thisoldbroad says
I've never tried her ice cream, but I am hunting for the perfect Dark Chocolate. With orange flavored cookies – YUM!
Jill B says
I lived in a Columbus for a few years where I discovered Jeni's ice cream. My favorite flavor is lemon yogurt with blueberry. Now living in California, I dream about Jeni's and plan each visit back to Ohio to include as many stops at Jeni's as possible
Sheila says
OMGosh! I GOT THE BOOK! It's really what I would call the ICE CREAM BIBLE! I have not been able to put it down. My neighbor showed up at my doorstep with a bucket of pears. What did I do? Well, I went right to Jeni's book and found the most amazing recipe for Riesling-Poached Pear Sorbet. It was so incredible and I had enough pears and Riesling to make 3 batches.
Julie @BananasforBourbon says
I haven't tried it yet, but I really want to try her pumpkin ice cream recipe, I love all things pumpkin!
Julie @BananasforBourbon says
I tweeted the giveaway
Julie @BananasforBourbon says
I like your page on facebook
Julie @BananasforBourbon says
I've attempted to follow you on twitter, but it says the user doesn't exist. I even tried the other twitter links in your main page. I'll try again later….
Lindsay says
Julie – The contest is over because it was posted last year. Thanks for trying to follow me on twitter. I changed my twitter name a while ago from @ScoopAdventurer to @scoopmuse. Shorter and easier to use.
vivien_noir says
Hey,
do you know if this book has been translated and transcripted to meet european measurements? I’d love, love, love to try these receipes here in Austria too, but with a book in english and english measurements, I’m sure to mess this one up 🙂
Please let me know (preferrably via E-Mail)!
vivien.
Lindsay says
No I am not sure. You may be able to find out on Jeni’s website.
Cheryl Leising says
I’ve never tried Jeni’s but I was Pinteresting Watermelon Lemonade sorbet and can’t wait to try this recipe! It’s just what I’m looking for! I hope to win so I can try every recipe!