Creating rich, creamy ice cream at home is easier than you might think, thanks to a lineup of specialized machines. Cuisinart offers a range of ice cream makers designed to turn simple ingredients into your favorite frozen desserts, from classic vanilla to sophisticated gelato. Whether you’re a frequent entertainer or a family looking for a fun weekend project, there is a model built to suit your needs.
The key to perfect homemade ice cream lies in the machine’s freezing technology and user-friendly features. You can choose from convenient freezer-bowl models or powerful compressor-based units that require no pre-freezing. This guide will help you navigate the options to find the ideal machine for making ice cream, frozen yogurt, sorbet, and more in the comfort of your own kitchen.
Our Top Picks for Cuisinart Ice Cream Makers
- Cuisinart ICE-100 1.5-Quart Ice Cream and Gelato Maker
- Cuisinart Automatic Frozen Yogurt-Ice Cream & Sorbet Maker (Pink)
- Cuisinart ICE-70CRM 2-Quart Cool Creations Ice Cream Maker
- Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker Machine, 1.5 Quart Mix It In Soft Serve
- Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker for Frozen Yogurt, Sorbet, Gelato
- Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker Machine, 1.5 Quart Double Insulated
- Cuisinart ICE-70 Electronic Ice Cream Maker
- Cuisinart ICE-100 Compressor Ice Cream and Gelato Maker
Cuisinart ICE-100 1.5-Quart Ice Cream and Gelato Maker
For the serious ice cream enthusiast, the ICE-100 stands out with its built-in commercial quality compressor. This feature means the unit is always ready to use, requiring no pre-freezing of a bowl. You can make multiple batches in a single session, which is perfect for parties or testing different recipes. It includes two paddles, one specifically for gelato, allowing you to achieve the perfect consistency for a variety of frozen desserts.
The machine offers precise control with its 60-minute countdown timer, touchpad controls, and a clear blue LCD readout. A particularly useful function is the 10-minute “Keep Cool” feature, which maintains the ideal serving temperature after the cycle is complete. With a 1.5-quart capacity, it produces a generous amount of lusciously rich ice cream, gelato, frozen yogurt, or sorbet with professional results.
Cuisinart Automatic Frozen Yogurt-Ice Cream & Sorbet Maker (Pink)
This special edition pink ice cream maker not only helps you create fantastic frozen treats but also supports a good cause, as Cuisinart donates to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. It features a patent-pending mixing paddle designed to freeze your ingredients quickly, producing homemade ice cream, yogurt, or sorbet in about 20 minutes. Its cheerful color and efficient operation make it a great addition to any kitchen.
The large 1.5-quart capacity is ideal for families, providing enough dessert for several servings. As a freezer-bowl model, it is a simple and affordable way to get started with homemade frozen desserts. Just freeze the bowl beforehand, add your ingredients, and let the machine do the work.
Cuisinart ICE-70CRM 2-Quart Cool Creations Ice Cream Maker
The ICE-70CRM model is built for speed and volume, creating two full quarts of frozen treats in 20 minutes or less. An improved paddle and faster processing time ensure you get your dessert ready quickly. This larger capacity is excellent for bigger families or for those who love to have extra on hand for later.
User-friendly features include a clear LCD screen and a countdown timer with auto shutoff, so you know exactly when your dessert is ready. With three settings and multiple speeds, you have greater control over the texture of your ice cream, gelato, or sorbet, allowing for a more customized result.
Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker Machine, 1.5 Quart Mix It In Soft Serve
Bring the soft-serve parlor experience home with this unique model. It is fully automatic and uses a double-insulated freezer bowl to produce 1.5 quarts of soft-serve ice cream, yogurt, or sorbet in about 20 minutes, with no ice or rock salt required. The real highlight is its integrated mix-in system.
The machine includes three condiment containers that let you add your favorite ingredients directly into the soft serve as it dispenses. One container is designed for small items like sprinkles, while the other two handle larger mix-ins such as mini chocolate chips. Simply pull the levers to add your choices and then pull the handle to dispense the creation directly into bowls or cones.
Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker for Frozen Yogurt, Sorbet, Gelato
This 2-quart capacity maker in a stylish stainless steel and red design is both functional and a striking countertop appliance. It utilizes a patent-pending mixing paddle that works efficiently to make frozen treats in 20 minutes or less. The generous capacity is perfect for making dessert for a gathering.
Like other freezer-bowl models, it features a double-insulated bowl that eliminates the need for ice or rock salt. A large ingredient spout is also included, making it easy to add nuts, chocolate pieces, or fruit during the final stages of mixing for perfectly distributed flavor in every bite.
Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker Machine, 1.5 Quart Double Insulated
A classic and highly popular model, the ICE-21P1 is known for its reliability and simplicity. Its mixing paddle effectively creates frozen treats in about 20 minutes, offering a quick path from ingredients to dessert. This model is an excellent entry point for anyone new to making ice cream at home.
The double-insulated freezer bowl is the core of its operation, freezing the mixture without the need for ice or salt. With a 1.5-quart capacity, it produces a sufficient amount of ice cream or frozen yogurt for a small family. Its straightforward design and proven performance have made it a bestseller for years.
Cuisinart ICE-70 Electronic Ice Cream Maker
The Cuisinart ICE-70 is an electronic model that offers a more hands-off approach to making frozen desserts. It typically includes digital controls for precise operation and often features a see-through lid so you can monitor the freezing process. This type of model is designed for users who appreciate modern digital interfaces.
It generally operates with a pre-frozen bowl system and is built to handle a variety of desserts, from dense ice cream to light sorbet. For specific details on capacity and unique functions, it is best to consult the current product listing, as features can be updated.
Cuisinart ICE-100 Compressor Ice Cream and Gelato Maker
This compressor-based model shares the core advantage of the ICE-100 series: a built-in compressor that requires no pre-freezing. This allows for back-to-back batches of ice cream or gelato without any delay. It is a robust machine intended for those who make frozen desserts regularly and value convenience.
Equipped with professional-grade components, it is engineered to produce consistently smooth and creamy results. The unit is designed for making authentic gelato and rich ice cream. For the most accurate and up-to-date specifications and features, please refer to the official product page.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker
When I started looking for my own ice cream maker, I quickly realized that Cuisinart dominates the conversation for a good reason. Their machines are reliable and produce excellent results. But with several models available, choosing the right one can be tricky. Based on my experience, here’s what you should consider before picking one of the 8 best Cuisinart ice cream makers reviewed.
First, think about capacity. How much ice cream do you plan on making at once? If you are making dessert for a small household or want to experiment with flavors frequently, a 1.5-quart machine is perfect. It is compact and great for trying new recipes without too much commitment. For families or anyone who loves to entertain, a 2-quart model is the standard and most popular choice. It gives you enough to serve a group and have some left over. There are even 1-quart models if counter space is a major concern.
The next big decision is the freezing method. Cuisinart offers two main types: freezer bowl and compressor (self-freezing) models. The freezer bowl style is what most people start with. You have to place the special double-insulated bowl in your freezer for a solid 12-24 hours before you use it. The advantage is that these machines are generally more affordable and simpler to operate. The disadvantage is you need freezer space and have to plan ahead. You cannot make a second batch immediately. A compressor model, on the other hand, has a built-in freezing unit. You just pour in your pre-chilled mixture and turn it on. It freezes the ice cream itself. This is fantastic for spontaneity and making multiple batches in a row, but these units are larger, heavier, and come with a higher price tag.
You should also consider the machine’s construction and features. Look for a sturdy base and a transparent lid so you can watch the magic happen. Some models come with a special opening in the lid for adding mix-ins like chocolate chips or fruit partway through the freezing process, which is a very useful feature. The material of the dasher (the paddle that churns the ice cream) is also important; most are made of durable plastic, but ensure it feels solid.
Finally, think about your lifestyle and patience level. If you are a planner and value a compact, budget-friendly appliance, a freezer bowl model is a brilliant choice. If you prefer instant gratification, have the counter space, and are willing to invest more, a self-freezing compressor model will be worth every penny. By weighing these factors—capacity, freezing method, and key features—you can easily find the Cuisinart ice cream maker that fits your kitchen and your needs perfectly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between a freezer bowl and a compressor ice cream maker?
The core difference is how they freeze the ice cream mixture. A freezer bowl model requires you to pre-freeze a special double-walled bowl for many hours (usually overnight). This bowl acts as the freezing element when you churn your ice cream. It is a passive system. A compressor model has a built-in refrigeration unit, just like a mini-freezer. You plug it in, and it actively cools and freezes the mixture without any pre-freezing. This means you can make ice cream on a whim and multiple batches in one day, but the machine is larger and more expensive.
Do I need to cook a custard base before using my Cuisinart machine?
This depends entirely on the recipe you are following, not the machine itself. Many classic ice cream recipes, like French vanilla, use an egg-based custard that must be gently cooked on the stovetop first and then thoroughly chilled. However, there are countless “Philadelphia-style” recipes that use no eggs at all—just cream, milk, sugar, and flavorings. These do not require any cooking; you just mix the ingredients and chill the mixture before churning. Your machine’s manual will specify that the mixture must be cold before you add it to the unit, regardless of the recipe type.
Why is my homemade ice cream too hard or too soft?
If your ice cream is too hard straight from the machine, it is likely over-churned. Once it reaches a soft-serve consistency, it is done. Continuing to churn will incorporate more ice crystals, making it harder. If it is too soft, the mixture may not have been cold enough to begin with, the freezer bowl may not have been fully frozen, or the ambient room temperature might be too warm. After churning, ice cream needs a “ripening” period in the freezer for at least a few hours to firm up to a scoopable texture.
How long does it take to make ice cream in a Cuisinart?
The churning time itself is usually between 20 and 40 minutes, depending on the recipe and model. The overall process, however, is much longer. For a freezer bowl model, you must account for the 12-24 hour pre-freezing time for the bowl, plus the time to prepare and chill your ice cream base (which can be another 2-4 hours). So, while the machine is only active for less than an hour, the entire process from start to having frozen ice cream is often a day-long affair unless you use a compressor model, which significantly cuts down the prep time.
Can I make sorbet or frozen yogurt in these machines?
Absolutely. All of the 8 best Cuisinart ice cream makers reviewed are designed to handle more than just traditional ice cream. They work perfectly for sorbets (which are typically dairy-free), frozen yogurt, and even gelato. The churning process is the same; it is the recipe for the base that changes. These machines are excellent for creating a wide variety of frozen desserts, making them a very versatile appliance for your kitchen.
How do I clean and store my Cuisinart ice cream maker?
Cleaning is generally straightforward. The mixing bowl, dasher, and lid are almost always dishwasher safe on the top rack, but you should always check your specific model’s manual. Hand washing with warm, soapy water is also perfectly fine. For freezer bowl models, make sure the bowl is completely dry before storing it. Do not store the frozen bowl in the freezer long-term unless you plan to use it frequently, as it takes up significant space. For the main motor unit, simply wipe it down with a damp cloth. Never immerse the motor base in water.