The Big Pineapple – Brisbane Australia

Built in 1971, the Big Pineapple as been on the top 10 tourist destinations in Queensland Australia for most of its 30 year history.

Operating on a working pineapple and fruit farm consisting of about 250 acres, the Big Pineapple plantation not only sustains its busy marketplace and food court, but also provides produce for local business. 

It also has fun attractions such as the sugar cane train and nut mobile which tour the farm and also makes stops at the animal nursery and wildlife preserve. Visitors have also been coming for the desserts. The Big Pineapple foodcourt has been serving monstrous parfaits, sundaes and desserts for years and is well known for its Big Pineapple Sundae.

For more information about the the Big Pineapple and its history – go to www.bigpineapple.com.au

Run Run as Fast as you Can – To the kitchen for dessert.

This holiday favorite is sure to warm the cockles of your heart and keep the family around the dinner table, begging for dessert. Steve visits the crew from Great Day St Louis and whips up a spicy treat that is sure to delight even the pickiest of  Holiday Dessert eaters.

The full recipe is available of the Recipe’s tab.

From all of us here at the Ice Cream Bloke – we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Safe and Prosperous New Year.

Sydney Australia – Steve returns to his roots in the first of four episodes filmed in and around Australia. From the beach to the barbie, theres a lot of ground here to cover.

Steve’s first visit is to the Foodservice Australia Show at Darling Harbor on the shores the majestic Sydney Harbor.  All that is new and newsworthy in the food industry happens here, and Ice Cream plays strong part in the aussie culture. Steve visits with Sarah from Serendipity Ice Cream and Laura from Alpino Gelato, two of Australia’s ice cream companies that have stood the test of over 50 years of ice cream making.

Both companies showcased their newest and favoritest ice cream for Steve and the adoring public to sample.  Be sure to tune in next week to see the biggest pineapple youve ever laid your eyes on.

Jacksonville Florida – I guess it’s not the playground of the rich and famous, but it definitely is a playground non the less. Jackson sports some of the greatest beaches and family friendly activities around.  And if you need a good dose of the classic south, Savannah Georgia is only a couple of hours away.  We found this little gem in Jacksonville, and although its not the hoity toity ice cream stores we have filmed in the past, The Dreamette certainly holds its place in Ice Cream royalty.  Any store that can survive 50 years of  change in the marketplace is right up there in my books.

The Dreamette serves up good soft serve, has reasonable prices and the staff are as friendly as they come.  What more could you ask for?  An upside down banana split I hear you ask?  Well they even have one of those. 

Located at 3646 Post St, Jacksonville, this little walk up store is in an area that Jacksonville forgot – but you wont, after a trip to The Dreamette.

 
 
St Charles MO – If you live in or around the St Louis area, you may have seen a new face in the Ice Cream Freezer cabinet at your local Grocery store. 

Blue Sky Creamery – located just west of St Louis in St Charles may have a small operation, but the folks there are cranking out over 200 pints of  ice cream an hour.

 The pints of various delicious flavors are sold through the company’s  retail store in St Charles and all around the bi state area through Schnucks and Dierbergs grocery stores.  And its not only the size of their facility that is unique.  Julie and her team have a secret patent on a machine that creates their ice cream through a liquid nitrogen process and can freeze the dairy mix extremely quickly.  This means ice crystal size is low resulting in an end product that is very smooth and creamy.  It also means that the overrun, or air in the ice cream is also a very low percentage.

You can learn more about Blue Sky Creamery by watching the video above, or at www.blueskycreamery.com

Happy Pecan Month

Along with the Georgians celebrating this annual tradition with Pecan Parades and the crowning of the Pecan Queen, you too can celebrate the humble Pecan this month with this very simple Butter Pecan Ice Cream Recipe. 

In 2008 Butter Pecan knocked out Strawberry as the 3rd most consumed ice cream flavor in the country so we know there is a lot of fans out there.

Loaded with Omega 3 oil and zinc – The Pecan is known as the “smart nut” hences its peculiar resemblance to the human brain.  In fact, even if you only made half this recipe and created Roasted Pecans they would still be a hit. 

The recipe for this ice cream is found on the recipe tab.  Have fun with it and Happy Pecan Month

State College PA – Well when it come to College Creameries, you dont get much more famous than the Penn State Creamery. 

Established in 1865 as a couple of old barns, the Food Science section of the college has always had the creamey under their wing for scientific, revenue and enjoyment purposes.   Now under the watchful eye of Dr Bob Roberts (yes that’s Robert Roberts) the food science building and creamery have a near new facility and a great ice cream to boot.

Whether you are a “Nittany Lion” fan or not, the Berkey Creamery is one college creamery not to miss.

Give your Sweetie the Best of Both Worlds - Roses and Sweets: All in One Scoop

We have posted our Rose Petal Ice Cream before, but when the folks at Great Day St Louis on CBS 4 asked for the perfect Valentines Dessert, well, we just couldnt resist. 

This recipe is very easy to make and will “Keep Loves Flame Burning” in your kitchen.

Recipe is on line on the Recipe Tab – and have a wonderful Valetines Day with your special someone.

When the Going gets Hot – The Hot go to Bahama Bucks

Italian Ices, Shaved Ices and Popsicles are becoming more popular as frozen treats recently due to their refeshing water based qualities and the absense of fats and sugars.  Bahama Bucks is one of many chains captilizing on the growth of this market with 30 odd locations around the South West.

Bucks have a huge variety of concoctions that will not only keep you liquified, but can add a zing in your step as well.  The Super Sour flavors of shaved ice are exactly that – Super Sour.  Dont believe me – have a look at that ugly mug up top.  With more locations on the way and a research and development team working ovetime to create flavors like “Juicy Fruit” the future looks bright for the young Buck.

Find more details about Bahama Bucks at www.bahamabucks.com

Looking  for a cool winter treat – Consider the Popsicle

What compliments the “Brass Monkey” weather of winter more than a freshly made popsicle….Huh?!?

Actually, the popsicle is almost the perfect New Years Resolution Treat.  Number 1 – Its portion controlled.  Not like that tub of super premium ice cream you’ve been tucking into scoop after scoop.  Once you’ve got to the end….well, thats the end.  Unless you want to chew on the stick of course.  I”m sure theres a bit of fibre in there.

Secondly, the are some very healthy options for popsicles as Steve, The Ice Cream Bloke shows Matt Chambers of Great Day St Louis recently.  With the help of some Cold Molds (www.coldmolds.com) you too can get the kids involved in some great family fun; Popsicle making.  From the uber healthy to the sumptiously decidant, the sky is the limit.