Deni 5000 Scoop Factory Compact Automatic Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert Maker

Whether you crave an indulgence of rich chocolate ice cream, a light and frosty raspberry freeze, or a batch of frozen margaritas, this frozen dessert maker is ready to mix and freeze 1-1/2 quarts of your favorite treat at a moment's notice. The canister requires a minimum of 8 hours to freeze but dessert fans can store it in the freezer at all times for making spur-of-the-moment frozen treats. The patented canister has walls that are liquid-filled for even freezing and double insulated to keep the bowl colder for a longer period of time. When ingredients are ready, the stir paddle goes inside the canister and the plastic lid locks onto the canister. The lid is clear for checking that desserts reach the proper custard-like thickness and has an opening for easily adding chunky ingredients, such as chocolate chips or cookie dough, toward the end of processing. The powerful 38-watt motor fits onto the lid and the power switch starts the action. With the ice cream maker running, cooks pour their mixed recipes through the top of the lid and wait anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes for the ingredients to reach the proper consistency. The compact unit doesn't take up much counter space and, unlike more complicated ice cream makers, doesn't require hand cranking and needs no salt or ice in its recipes. This appliance comes with a book of 40 recipes and is covered by a one-year limited warranty. --Cristina Vaamonde