On a hot summer day, nothing hits the spot quite like a good scoop (or two) of ice cream. For me, summer is synonymous with good ice cream and even better company.
The church I grew up in, Bethel Community Church, has hosted an ice cream social since 1952. The church had its first social while fundraising for a new furnace and had an estimated attendance of 600 people.
Bethel, an old country church just outside Auburn, Neb., still draws locals to its churchyard every year for this beloved tradition. From catching up with old friends to meeting new ones, there’s something undeniably special and nostalgic about an ice cream social.
Looking back at photos of the crowds that used to line up for a scoop of homemade ice cream and a slice of cake, I can’t help but feel a little sad about how much the crowd has dwindled over the years. Some might think an ice cream social is old-fashioned, but it’s an opportunity to unplug and enjoy a summer evening.
So, here’s my plea to all the Gen Z’ers out there: When you see a local group hosting an ice cream social, make a point to stop by. You never know who you’ll meet, and you’re guaranteed to enjoy some great ice cream.
Churning with community
As I write this, I can vividly recall the hum of ice cream makers churning away. At Bethel, everyone brings their own ice cream maker and pitches in, whether it’s tending to the machines or mixing ingredients downstairs.
Last year, when I was gifted an ice cream maker for my birthday, I knew I had officially leveled up in adulthood. Before bringing my own ice cream maker to church, I had to test it out at home. Using the base vanilla ice cream recipe that’s been a staple at Bethel for years, I got creative and started experimenting with new flavors.
While the core flavors at the social are always vanilla, chocolate and banana, I tried out some new recipes in hopes of adding them to the menu. For example, I discovered that adding yellow cake mix to the vanilla recipe, plus a generous helping of sprinkles, creates a delicious cake batter ice cream. Toss in some fresh fruit, and you’ve got another homemade hit.
Thinking back to my college days, the UNL Dairy Store was one of my favorite places to catch up with friends. Since then, I’ve discovered that many land-grant universities across the Midwest have their own versions of a dairy store. The creativity and flavors are unmatched. Sweet corn ice cream, for instance, is a standout at the UNL Dairy Store.
Ice cream, I’ve realized, is the perfect vessel for good conversation and a reason to gather. We owe a lot to dairies across the U.S. for the high-quality milk and cream that make this summer treat possible.
As you plan your summer activities, keep an eye out for local ice cream socials. And if you’re ready to level up in adulthood, consider investing in an ice cream maker. To get you started, here’s the tried-and-true vanilla ice cream recipe from Bethel Community Church.
Bethel’s Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe (makes about 1 gallon)
- 5 ounces of egg beaters
- 2 cups of sugar
- 1 quart of cream
- 1½ tablespoons of vanilla
- ½ teaspoon of salt
- 8 cups of 1% milk
Mix the ingredients together, pour them into your ice cream maker, and let the magic happen.