I’m an absolute sucker for homemade desserts, especially when they turn out creamy, ice-cold, and somehow even better than expected. Lately, that joy has been courtesy of my Riva Frosty Ice cream and Frozen Treats Maker. It’s not just a kitchen gadget, it’s a one-way ticket to spontaneous desserts and some very real bragging rights, creating conversations that go a little something like this:
“Where did you buy this ice cream from? It’s amazing!”
Oh… I made it 🙂
If you’re looking for gift ideas for dessert lovers (or just want to treat yourself), a frozen treat maker for home is one of those appliances that instantly earns its counter space.
What I love most is how fun it is to use with the kids. We get to choose flavours together, mix in their favourite treats, and turn dessert into a fun, all-in family activity. And as a parent, I really love knowing exactly what’s going into their treats, no hidden preservatives, no unnecessary extras, just sweet and healthy (and sometimes a little indulgent, because life is short) frozen desserts made at home. Store-bought ice cream is nice… but nothing beats homemade.
And if you’re worried about the admin, countless steps, complicated ingredients, or kitchen chaos, you can relax. The Frosty is designed for people who want dessert without the drama. It keeps the whole how to use a frozen treat maker process refreshingly simple, which easily puts it up there as one of the best home ice-cream appliances around.
Now before you think that it’s only an ice-cream maker, let me tell you a bit about the other goodies it can whip up! It may be one machine but it has endless yummy options.
I’m talking, classic ice cream made with all the deliciousness of dairy and the endless combinations of sweet treats/fruit/syrups/fun toppings etc. You can also make light and refreshing sorbets (my hubby’s fav!), which is as easy as adding fruit, sugar, and water. It’s also great for dairy-free and vegan sorbet recipes, as well as high-protein and low-sugar frozen treats, milkshakes, smoothie bowls even coffeeccinos – Serve mine up in a big glass please! 🙂
To help you get started, I’ve shared two of our favourite easy recipes below, one is for a Vanilla Oreo and Chocolate Chip Ice Cream that’s always a hit with the kids, and the other is for a fresh Mango and Lime Sorbet.
Oreo & Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 1 cup (250ml) chilled whipping cream
- ½ cup (125ml) full-cream milk
- 90g white sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla essence
- 6 Oreo cookies, roughly crushed
- ¼ cup chocolate chips
Directions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the cream, milk, sugar, and vanilla until the sugar is fully dissolved.
- Pour into an empty pint cup, pop the storage lid on, and freeze for 24 hours.
- Remove from the freezer, take off the lid, select TOP, FULL, or BOTTOM, then choose ICE CREAM.
- Use a spoon to create a small hole down the centre, add the Oreos and chocolate chips, then reprocess using the same mode and MIX-IN function.
- Serve straight away (with extra Oreos on top, of course).
Mango & Lime Sorbet
Ingredients
- 3–4 ripe mangoes, peeled and cubed
- ½ cup simple syrup (see below)
- 3 tbsp fresh lime juice
Simple Syrup
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup white sugar
Directions
- To make the simple syrup, gently heat the water and sugar in a saucepan until dissolved. Set aside to cool.
- Fill an empty pint cup to the MAX FILL line with mango, simple syrup, and lime juice. Secure the lid and freeze for 24 hours.
- Remove from the freezer, take off the lid, select TOP, FULL, or BOTTOM, then choose SORBET.
- Once done, scoop and serve immediately.
The Riva Frosty Ice Cream and Frozen Treats Maker, really does bring fun, flexibility, and flavour into one compact appliance. Whether you’re trying to make slightly healthier choices for your family, keep the kids entertained, or just want dessert that feels a little special, it’s one of those things you’ll wonder how you lived without 🙂
