Its Neapolitan ice cream peers—chocolate and vanilla—might get more glory in soft serve machines. (One twist cone, please!) But according to the panel of scoop-savvy chefs we spoke to, it’s about time strawberry ice cream had its moment in the spotlight.
“Justice for strawberry! It’s always the underdog in Neapolitan; often the last scoop in the tub after chocolate and vanilla are gone,” says celebrity chef George Duran. “But when it’s done right, strawberry ice cream is a whole experience. It’s fruit-forward, refreshing, and plays well with others, from chocolate sauce and shortbread to bananas and balsamic vinegar.”
Still, realizing that you’re savoring a subpar strawberry ice cream can feel about as disappointing as dropping that scoop on your shoe. To help you delight in each ounce, we asked the chefs to spill about their favorite strawberry ice cream—and how to serve it for a satisfying taste of summer any time of year.
Our Panel of Ice Cream-Loving Chefs
- Erin Clarke, a Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based recipe developer and the author of “Well Plated Every Day”
- Jeanette Donnarumma, a Ridgewood, New Jersey-based Emmy Award-winning producer, recipe developer, content creator, and digital media producer
- George Duran, celebrity chef and TV host based in New York
- Yumna Jawad, the Grand Rapids, Michigan-based CEO and founder of Feel Good Foodie and the author of “The Feel Good Foodie Cookbook: 125 Recipes Enhanced with Mediterranean Flavors”
- Emily Susman, the Tulsa, Oklahoma-based chef, creator of Emma Claire’s Kitchen, and author of “Get Stuffed: Everyday Recipes Irresistibly Transformed”
Qualities of the Best Strawberry Ice Cream
A scoop of well-made strawberry ice cream captures the essence of summer better than nearly any other food. For recipe developer Jeanette Donnarumma, it immediately takes her back to the warm, care-free evenings during summer break. “A really good strawberry ice cream is underrated magic,” adds cookbook author Yumna Jawad…