Southern Weddings

Hi y’all! My name is Emily Alice and you may not know my name very well, but I’m the intern at Southern Weddings for the summer! I do lots of things behind the scenes, like sending mailings and creating wedding galleries, but I’m so excited to be writing for the blog, especially since it’s about something that’s so close to my heart! Get your spoons and bowls ready…

It’s hard to describe the anticipation that rises up inside me as I hear the whirring of an at-home ice cream machine. Not just any ice cream machine, though — I’m talking about the one at my grandparents’ beach house in Edisto Beach, SC. Mama Duck and Papa Jake’s machine is old, stained, and maybe a little beaten up, but the ice cream it makes is the best I’ve ever tasted! That’s what reminds me of summer in the south: my Mama Duck’s homemade ice cream.

Image credits: Row 1: Both images by Horace & Gertrude Photography via Southern Weddings, Row 2: Both images from Martha Stewart, Row 3: Gina Zeidler via Southern Weddings

I’m sure plenty of y’all are thinking right now, “No, my mama makes the best homemade ice cream” or even, heaven forbid, “I’ve had homemade ice cream and it’s not near as good as ice cream from Piggly Wiggly.” But you, bless your hearts, would be incorrect. For as long as I can remember, I would beg Mama Duck to make some ice cream when our families came together at Edisto in the hot sun of summer. She makes all different flavors. There’s the classic vanilla, which is perfect after a humid afternoon out on the water. Then there’s chocolate, my grandpa’s favorite. Mine, though, is her peach ice cream with big chunks of fresh peaches from George and Pinks, the local fruit and vegetable stand. It’s the perfect treat to enjoy while rocking on the screened in front porch. Sometimes we just skip dinner all together and have two bowls of ice cream instead!

Maybe I’m a little biased when it comes to my favorite dessert. It’s not just the sweetness that I love about Mama Duck’s ice cream. It’s the time spent with family and the hot, salty breeze coming from the beach that my mind wanders to. My grandma’s ice cream doesn’t just fill me up. It reminds me of the summers I’ve spent with her, too.

Image credits: Row 1: Leo Patrone via Snippet and Ink, Julie Lim via Southern Weddings, Row 2: Jose Villa via Southern Weddings

Now I admit, there have been times recently when I wasn’t at Edisto and craved some homemade ice cream. I’ve even strayed a couple of times from Mama Duck’s recipe (blasphemy, I know!), but I haven’t found any as good. And her recipe is so simple! If y’all want it, I’ve included her recipe below so you can see what you think. If you suddenly find yourselves in a “full-and-happy” coma after you finish your bowl (or bowls!) just remember that I warned you: this ice cream is good, y’all! Feel free to add any fruit you want, though my favorites are strawberry and peach. Make sure to keep some big chunks in there, too!

Want more Summer in the South? Check out our past posts!
A Day at the Lake
A Weekend Barbecue
Summer Essentials from A Southern Lady
Beach Getaway Essentials
Summer Escapes
Watermelon Wonder