What Is French-Style Ice Cream?
One of the most common questions we get is, “What makes French-style ice cream different from regular ice cream?” The answer lies in both the ingredients and the craft. Under FDA standards, what we make at Weckerly’s is, by definition, ice cream–a true dairy custard with a higher milkfat content and the addition of egg yolks. The yolks are what make it French-style. They act as a natural emulsifier, binding cream and sugar to create a dense, velvety texture that carries flavor beautifully. Each batch we make is pasteurized in-house from scratch to make for a luxuriously smooth result. Our ice cream has deep, layered flavor and a clean finish that only comes from small-batch craftsmanship.
Our Small-Batch Process
Every batch of Weckerly’s ice cream begins with our French-style custard base. From there, we season each batch much like a chef seasons a dish. Depending on the flavor, we might take one of several approaches:
Infused Bases:
We make our own flavor compounds from scratch. They’re made from caramelized sugar, fruit purées, or nut pastes ground from roasted almonds, hazelnuts, or pistachios. These are blended into the custard before churning to create flavors that are rich, balanced, and built right into the ice cream itself.
Baked & Candied Mix-Ins:
For texture and contrast, we fold in fresh-baked cookies, breads, cakes, jams, or roasted and candied nuts after churning. These elements add variety and surprise, whether little pockets of sweetness, chew, or crunch that make each bite dynamic.
Herbs, Flowers, & Citrus
Some ingredients call for a gentler touch. We cold-steep herbs and flowers like lavender, mint, or cherry blossoms, along with fresh citrus zest, to capture their delicate aromatics without bitterness. At times, we’ll blanch or smoke herbs, or fire them briefly over open flame to bring out deeper, more savory notes before steeping or blending them into our ice cream base.
Each technique brings a different expression of flavor, texture, and aroma. Together, they reflect our kitchen-first approach: treating ice cream not as a formula, but as a craft.
A Different Ice Cream Experience
If you’ve only tried lighter or airier ice creams before, French-style will feel like a revelation. The richness and creaminess coat the palate, while the depth of flavor lingers long after each bite. It’s the kind of ice cream meant to be savored, where every spoonful tells a story of the ingredients and the hands that made it.
When you’re in Philadelphia, stop by Weckerly’s and taste the difference for yourself. Alongside our French-style ice cream, you’ll also find soft serve and seasonal sorbets for those who prefer something lighter. But we always encourage everyone to start with the original. You might just discover a new favorite, one that redefines what ice cream can be.
