Yesterday was Memorial Day here in the US, which is also what we like to call the “unofficial start of summer.” My kids just finished their school years last week, the weather is finally warm, we lit the grill for the first time last night, and it truly does feel like summer. I have my mind on light and easy summer recipes, fresh salads and cool, sweet treats. Of course, that means ice cream.

If you’ve known me for a while, you know that my daughter is severely allergic to peanuts. She had her first anaphylactic reaction at 14 months old. As a mom, knowing that a staple childhood food (i.e. peanut butter) can harm or kill your child if accidentally ingested is absolutely terrifying. Even just trace amounts, in foods that don’t contain peanuts but are made in facilities where they’re used elsewhere, presents a risk. That means things like bakery-made cookies and cakes or store-bought ice creams are dangerous for her.

This diagnosis was completely overwhelming at first – I spent many sleepless nights thinking about how she would be treated at birthday parties and wondering what on earth I would feed this child – until I realized that I can make all these foods at home – and I can make them better, with organic and wholesome ingredients. I can control the sugar levels and tailor the flavors, and most importantly, I can make them safe for her so that she will not have to miss out on any of life’s simple pleasures. That’s the reason I started blogging in the first place. To share recipes and other information with moms who were just as overwhelmed as I was. And to provide a reassuring voice to those, newly without the options to eat out or to socialize where food was being served, saying “you’re not alone.”

Now, twelve years into this journey, I’ve moved away from writing about the allergy issues and simply share the recipes I cook for my family daily. One of the most satisfying things to make, in my opinion, is homemade ice cream. Not only is it leaps and bounds above what’s available at the store but, with a good ice cream maker, it’s one of the easiest treats to make in your own kitchen. I often say that my ice cream maker is one of the best investments I’ve made in a small appliance. Here are five of my favourite recipes. These will be on repeat all summer long.