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Posted: 2024-09-10T09:45:16Z | Updated: 2024-09-10T09:45:16Z Customize Your Desserts And Save Money By Making Your Frozen Treats At Home | HuffPost Life

Customize Your Desserts And Save Money By Making Your Frozen Treats At Home

Reviewers say they use these so often, they've long paid for themselves.
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Dessert is one of the pinnacles of life, whether enjoyed as a snack or alongside a savory staple.

For some, including those sensitive or allergic to lactose, gluten or nuts, crafting desserts at home makes a lot of sense. Youre able to enjoy your treat with the peace of mind that you know exactly whats in it, with no allergenic surprises. Those trying to cut down on added sugar or wanting to stick to a keto or vegan lifestyle may be able to relate.

At-home frozen desserts also make for a refreshing bonding activity with pals, a spouse or grandkids all while ensuring your little loved ones get some fruit in (same goes for adults!). 

Plus, like many reviewers, you may end up saving some satisfying money should you end up particularly enjoying making your own frozen treats. Why buy it elsewhere when you can make it yourself?

Weve compiled some of the best frozen dessert makers youll find on the internet to make things easy for you. Check out our top picks.

HuffPost and its publishing partners may receive a commission from some purchases made via links on this page. Every item is independently curated by the HuffPost Shopping team. Prices and availability are subject to change.

1
A dairy-free soft-serve maker with 14,000 5-star ratings

Yonanas is a verifiably cult-favorite froyo machine, whipping up yummy dairy-free, sorbet-like desserts out of the frozen fruits and bananas you already have on hand.

It's served dessert lovers so well that folks are asking why it isn't more popular (or, even more popular, given that it's been reviewed by the tens of thousands). That just means you get this hidden-gem item at a more affordable price and all to yourself.

The froyo machine is great for vegan and keto diets or for anyone trying to cut down on added sugar (or who wants to add some fruit to their palette).

Reviewers say it "extends your grocery budget," too: "I calculate I've already saved more than the cost of the unit simply by not tossing out as much fruit," wrote a reviewer named Todd.

The appliance also comes with 36 recipes for you to try out.

Promising reviews: "This machine takes frozen fruit and makes the most amazing cold treat...Say goodbye to ice cream and sorbet and live healthier. We love it, so easy to use and clean, there is always some fruit left behind, but it's so easy to scoop out with spoon and add to your bowl, no biggie." M Perez

"This makes terrific frozen desserts from any fruits! We eliminated ice cream and sorbet because this tastes better without adding sugar!!

Works best with some frozen very ripe bananas in the mix hence the name. Add frozen strawberries or blueberries or watermelon or cherries or anything else!

Very easy to clean and completely easy to love!" Karen Smith

2
A snow cone and shaved ice machine with 12,000 5-star ratings

If you crave the fluffy shaved ice that you can never find anywhere anymore, allow Hawaiian Shaved Ice's at-home maker to solve the problem.

Using whatever ice you have on hand cubed or bagged this gizmo makes yummy powdery ice that you can enjoy on its own with syrup or juice, added to iced tea for a slushy upgrade, or use to make other frozen mixed drinks.

It's perfectly sized for your countertop and for easy portability, measuring 5.5 inches wide, 8 inches long and 12 inches tall. It comes with a one-year warranty, a non-slip mat and two ice cups.

Check out Hawaiian Ice syrup flavors here .

Promising review: "My husband has been asking for a 'snow cone maker' since he was a kid. We've been together 25 years, and he always mentions it when Christmas rolls around. I kept telling him, 'We don't need another appliance to store. I really don't think you'll use it as often as you think.' Well, I was wrong. I got this for him for his birthday, and he was ECSTATIC. He has used it every day, multiple times per day. We find sugar free syrups at a discount store in town, and he is just as happy as can be. Also, the machine itself works perfectly and is easy to operate, easy to clean, and easy to store. It works with both regular ice cubes (more of a slushie consistency like a Sonic slush) or makes frosty-snow like a snow cone if you use the molds they provide. Very happy, satisfied customer!" Florida gal

3
Or a popular slushy and shaved ice maker from Dash

This snow cone machine is slightly more affordable without sacrificing any oomph. It makes fluffy shaved ice for yummy slushies, plus doubles as a cocktail maker; reviewers also love its retro-inspired coloring.

Plus, the 12-inch height ensures it'll work handsomely with the bowls you already own, according to Dash.

Note: Clip the $7.96 coupon for an added discount at checkout.

Promising review: "i LOVE my shaved ice maker. I freeze juices, herbal teas, & sometimes coffee in ice cube trays & then pout them thru this ice shaver...And its so refreshing..I LOVE this. I highly recommend this brand. Ive used this almost every day now. And its so easy to use & to clean up" Kindle Customer

4
A hidden-gem popsicle mold

As one reviewer notes , you'll find a lot of popsicle molds on Amazon , but none do it quite like Zoku's molds .

For one, Zoku provides a sleeve for each popsicle. This helps keep things extra tidy and allows you to remove one or two popsicles at a time, rather than the entire thing, when you're ready to enjoy.

The popsicle molds are also portioned for adults, so you won't end up with popsicles sized for toddlers (as cute as they are).

The included popsicle sticks come with built-in drip guards so your hands won't get messy, and are slim enough to fit in your freezer without taking up space (or tipping over).

The molds comes in two colors, with each containing six 3.25-fluid ounce pop inserts. They're also BPA- and phthalate-free!

Note: Clip the on-page coupon for an extra 10% off that'll show up at checkout!

Promising reviews: "Really love this thing. High quality. We make 'healthy' popsicles from recipes we find on the Internet. Tasty, cold, refreshing, healthy snack or dessert treat. Love it." R Mac

"I got tired of spending big bucks on dairy free ice cream so I decided to make healthy popsicles instead. The first set of popsicle molds from another company were much less expensive but I hated fighting with them to try and snap the lids on. These are so much better and are worth the extra money. And theyll pay for themselves in just a few batches." Chillaroo

5
Plus, cute novelty popsicle mold options also from Zoku

If you're in the market for something cute, fellow kids-at-heart will appreciate these sweet popsicle molds from Zoku . They boast the quality that Zoku is known for, with easy-release molds that invert as you pull your popsicle out, plus built-in drip guards and BPA- and phthlatate-free materials.

Their aesthetics are the real highlights, with stick and mold designs modeled after under-the-sea creatures (including fish and divers!). They also come in dinosaur- , polar- , safari- and space-inspired options.

Promising review: "The zoku mould is so easy to use. Weve made popsicles using orange juice and egg nog. Easy to remove keeping every detail. There are shapes on the white and blue parts to match to put the correct fins(white) to the fish heads(blue). The built in stand works easily in the freezer for no spills. Its my first zoku brand, but wont be my last purchase. Its worth the extra money in comparison to a regular grocery store for the ease of it. Im excited to see how long theyll last as it seems very durable." Jinnine

6
An ice cream maker with 15,000 5-star ratings
Make your own sorbet, ice cream and frozen yogurt in as little as 20 minutes with this stainless steel Cuisinart ice cream maker. It has a whopping 2-quart capacity and comes with a handy recipe book. It's also BPA-free.

Promising review: "Easy to use and clean up . Not as noisy as I expected , great results made Rocky Road first just dont load 'add ins' too fast . Lightweight and not too big but makes a nice 2 quarts of ice cream and love that I can control the stuff I put in and not worry about store bought and recalls. Purchase price is half the cost of rival and makes more for the price and smaller foot print on the counter . Recipe book included helps beginners. Just follow instructions and youll have some good homemade ice cream! Glad I purchased." Diane
7
A TikTok-viral slushy-making cup

This "frozen magic" cup produces slushies out of whatever beverages you add to it in minutes. Dump in your choice of juice, lemonade or what have you, then squeeze the cup with your fingers for a few minutes to create an icey, slushy consistency.

Just be sure to prep the cup beforehand by keeping it in the freezer for five to six hours in advance.

The piece comes with a combinable straw and spoon, plus a cleaning set with bottle and straw brushes. You can grab the cup in four vivid colors.

Note: Clip the 20% off coupon for an added discount at checkout.

Promising reviews: "I use it every night after my walk. Great treat to cool down to. Easy to use, put any drink in and smush it and done in minutes. Easy to clean and put back in freezer for the next day! I miss my 7-11 slurped and this is great at home version." S. Villegas

"Its so easy & doesnt require ordering any flavors or supplies like a traditional slushie maker. For this product, you pour any drink into the frozen container & knead it until its turned into slush. My daughter often times uses regular cans of her favorite soda to make them into a Slushie. So no mismeasured flavoring or dyes. Its just what you put in it. Simple & brilliant. Be careful squeezing it so that it doesnt overflow" Jennifer Luedtke

8
A powerhouse Ninja Deluxe ice cream and frozen treat maker

This Ninja NC501 workhorse promises to wow any serious sweet tooth. It can make 11 different treats, from ice cream, frozen yogurt and sorbet to milkshakes, frozen drinks, slushies, Italian ice and more.

This model includes two 24-ounce pints, plus a recipe book with 30 new favorites for you to try out. It's also available in a smaller size with seven programs, two 16-ounce pints and a recipe book.

Promising review: "I was given this as a mothers day/birthday gift and I am so in love with it! We found a wonderful base flavor that I make 6 containers of every Sunday. Then throughout the week we add different mix ins with it and enjoy new varieties of ice cream. It's comparable to what I would spend at the grocery store for fancy brands, and tastes better! We eat Keto, and I'm able to stay in our diet with it even, with a mich greater ice cream intake than I could do with other brands. I will sometimes add protein mix ins and we can even use it as a breakfast milkshake. So happy my husband saw it in the cart and 'secretly' bought it! Lol" Ciara Alery

9
A stainless steel make-and-serve bowl

Whip up your own single serving of ice cream using just this bowl. The 6-ounce dish can make 5 ounces of ice cream in 20 minutes or soft serve in 10 minutes.

It comes with a stainless steel bowl, a protective sleeve and a spoon; the dish is available in four colors. It's also BPA- and phthalates-free.

Promising review: "Love this ice cream maker. It's small and easy to use. Takes up very little space in the freezer. Makes the perfect single serving size, about 6 oz. And it's very affordable. For best results keep the freezing bowl in the freezer, so that it is always ready for use when you have a craving for a cold sweet treat, but can't get to the store, or maybe you want to make your own flavour.

Several recipes are provided, or you can use your own. Once you've mixed your ice cream base, take the bowl from the freezer and pour in the mixture. Quickly mix with the Provided spoon. The creamy blend becomes a nice soft serve ice cream in a few minutes. Can be put in freezer to become firmer. Great purchase if you want to make ice cream, but don't have room for a large machine, or you just like to make a single serving." WordSpinner

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