Scoop of Perfection: Mastering the Art of Vanilla Ice Cream
Meet Suzanne Woods Fisher
This bestselling author wrote her first novel in sixth grade and, from that point on, she was hooked on the writing life. Thirty-some books later (in a variety of genres—historical fiction, contemporary women’s, and Amish fiction), Suzanne is still writing for Revell Books. And she still loves to write.
My husband, Steve, isn’t just serious about making ice cream; he’s practically a scientist about it, especially when it comes to vanilla. He'll pore over textbooks, drive hours to source the perfect vanilla beans, and doesn’t hesitate to spend a bit more on top-notch organic dairy from small farms. Whenever friends come over for dinner, they unknowingly sign up to be part of his latest experiment, complete with blind taste tests and feedback sheets, all under Steve's watchful eye.
Steve’s zeal even took him to Penn State’s Ice Cream School—yep, that’s a real thing, and it’s been churning out ice cream experts since 1892. When he came back, his ice cream skills were noticeably sharper.
He’s dabbled in a bunch of flavors like salted caramel, peanut butter chocolate, and strawberry, and he’s been pretty happy with them. But vanilla? That’s been his white whale. It took him 59 tries to nail the recipe. You might think vanilla is kind of plain, but a truly great vanilla ice cream is anything but—it’s complex, deep, and rich.
Here’s the scoop: mastering vanilla is key because it’s the foundation for almost every other flavor. But getting it just right is tough. Vanilla is so straightforward that there’s nothing to hide behind; any little mistake is obvious. Other flavors might let you slide on a minor goof, but vanilla is all about the details.
Sometimes, I think we could all learn a thing or two from vanilla ice cream. In life, just like in ice cream making, it’s those little decisions that shape our integrity. Just like vanilla demands perfection, we should aim to keep our actions honest and straightforward.
Perfecting vanilla ice cream was no small feat—it took Steve 59 tries, but wow, was it worth it. When you taste that kind of quality, it speaks for itself.
And hey, if you’re into heartwarming stories sprinkled with a bit of this ice cream crafting magic, check out my newest book, Love on a Whim, the final story in the bestselling Cape Cod Creamery series. It’s packed with real-life moments from our kitchen and plenty of behind-the-scenes ice cream research. Did I mention romance? Love on a Whim is full of twists and turns and laughs and love.
By the end, I bet you’ll be hankering for a scoop of that painstakingly perfect vanilla ice cream.
Brynn Haywood's impulsive marriage to a man she'd known less than 24 hours leaves her with deep regret. She flees to Cape Cod, finding refuge with her loyal friend, Dawn Dixon. As Brynn grapples with her emotions, Dawn acts swiftly, eager to help secure a lawyer for her through her mother Marnie's good friend, Lincoln Hayes. However, Lincoln's preoccupation with his daughter's lavish wedding brings unexpected challenges.
The arrival of Lincoln's estranged son, Bear Hayes, stirs the waters further. Alarmed by his father's extravagant generosity toward the Dixon family, Bear ignites friction between Marnie and Lincoln. As the wedding day arrives, Lincoln vanishes--and an unwelcome guest makes a surprise appearance.
Bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher delights with this sweet story of love, family, and the unpredictability of life.