Cooking With Kids: An Easy Recipe For Homemade Sherbet

Frozen desserts are one of the most popular and beloved desserts in the world, thanks to their amazing texture, creamy flavor, and appeal. They are versatile and come in various forms and shapes. The most popular frozen desserts include gelato, ice cream, sorbet, frozen yogurt, frozen custard, soft serve, slushies, and more. Sherbet is one such frozen dessert and has secured its place in many cultures around the world.

Many people get confused between sorbet and sherbet because of how similar the two terms or names are and they are both frozen desserts. But in reality, they are two very different treats that shouldn't be messed up for one another. But before we get into the guide to making the perfect sherbet at home, let's learn what exactly a sherbet is

What Is Sherbet?

Sherbet is produced with fruit and a dairy product, such as milk or cream; hence, it is not vegan or lactose-intolerant, which may surprise some. Sometimes egg white or gelatin is added, and federal laws require that sherbet or sherbert have 1-2 percent butterfat. Because of the presence of milk, cream, and butterfat, it is closer to ice cream than to sorbet, which has no dairy at all.

While ice cream is made from dairy with other types of add-ins (including fruit occasionally), sherbet is made from fruit purée and then made more creamy with the addition of some dairy. Ice cream has more dairy than sherbet, and sorbet doesn't include any dairy at all, to explain it simply.

The word 'sherbet' derives from the Persian word 'sharbat,' which is a sweet drink that is prepared using fruits, nuts, and flower petals. It is a popular beverage that is often enjoyed during Eid and is commonly seen in countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and more.

A Recipe For The Best Homemade Sherbet (Orange Flavored)

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 cups of orange juice
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon of orange zest

Method:

• Collect all of the components.
• In a medium mixing bowl, combine the orange juice, zest, and 2/3 cup sugar until the sugar is dissolved.
• In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream and the remaining 1/3 cup sugar with a whisk or hand mixer until the cream is thick and forms soft peaks.
• Incorporate the milk into the orange mixture.
• Fold the whipped cream into the orange mixture gently.
• Refrigerate the sherbet for at least 1 hour, or until it is completely cooled. Churn according to your ice cream maker's instructions.
• The sherbet will have the consistency of soft-serve ice cream. If you don't plan on eating the sherbet right away, freeze it in an airtight plastic container for a firmer texture. Enjoy.

Tips & Tricks

• Make sure that you incorporate orange zest into the recipe since it elevates the outcome a lot. So don't skip it. Not only that, the orange zest packs a lot of essential oils that further enhance the aroma and flavor of the sherbet. To grate the orange, use a microplane grater and scrape off the top layer of the orange. Make sure you don't grate too much down to the white pith, as it has a bitter flavor that can ruin the taste of your sherbet.
• It is always advised to use freshly squeezed orange juice rather than store-bought orange juice. But if you do plan on using store-bought juice, then make sure that the juice doesn't contain any added sugar and that it isn't prepared from a concentrate. You will notice a great change in flavor between store-bought juice and freshly squeezed juice.
• Apart from orange, you can also use other citrus zests, such as lemon or lime, that will provide a tangier flavor than orange. It would be a great change in flavor if you were down to experiment. Not only that, you can incorporate fresh fruits or berries when you take out the orange sherbet from the ice cream maker. You can add raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, cranberries, and more. Make sure you dice them before adding.
• You can increase the amount of cream in the recipe if you prefer a richer and creamier texture for your sherbet.
• Fruit liqueur can also be added to the recipe. Pick any fruit liqueur that you like to add some texture and depth to the flavor of the sherbet.