It’s officially summer, and prime time for ice cream, ice pops, slushies, and more. Making frozen treats at home lets you customize flavors and accommodate dietary restrictions, and having the right tools on hand can help make the process more fun. 

 

Wirecutter senior kitchen editor Marilyn Ong walks us through the most reliable gear for every type of frozen treat, from $10 ice pop molds to an $800 gelato maker. Plus, she reveals Wirecutter’s take on popular gadgets like the Ninja Creami, Ninja Slushi, and KitchenAid shaved ice attachment. 

 

We also hear from Wirecutter experts Lesley Stockton, Ciara Murray Jordan, and Kathleen Squires, who share their favorite treat recipes and tips for making great frozen treats.

 

This episode covers:

• Why DIY treats are worth making: You won’t necessarily save money on ingredients, but you will have total control over those ingredients. You can control the sugar content, dairy options, and flavor combinations.

• Popsicle molds that actually work: Our favorite ice pop molds are easy to fill and release with little effort. You can choose from kid-friendly shapes (think fun animal shapes) all the way to refined classic molds fit for adults.

• Shaved ice and slushie makers we like: The KitchenAid shaved ice attachment is a powerhouse for making Bingsu (a popular Korean-style shaved ice), while our kitchen team was surprised by how much they like the Ninja Slushi for making frozen drinks at home.

• Why we don't recommend the Ninja Creami: Despite its viral popularity for making healthier frozen treats, in our testing it resulted in burning smells and complaints of plastic shavings.

• Choosing an ice cream maker: Start by asking yourself how much you’re willing to spend and the texture you want to create. Our recommendations range from a $60 option that makes denser scoops, to an $800 machine that makes smooth, airy gelato.

 

Products we recommend: 

• Traditional, easy-to-make pops: Tovolo Classic Pop Molds with Tray (https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/81992/240408/57/256933)

• A colorful spin on the classic: Williams Sonoma Rainbow Pop Molds (https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/81993/240156/57/256934)

• Best metal pop molds: Ecozoi Stainless Steel Popsicle Molds (https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/81999/240415/57/256935)

• Lie-flat molds in cute shapes:  Zoku Cat and Dog Ice Pop Mold (https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/81994/240157/57/256936)

• Cute penguins in silicone molds: Tovolo Penguin Pop Molds (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DC7HQCW/?th=1)

• Best push-pop style molds: Chef’n Sweet Spot Ice Pop Maker (https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/64290/205577/57/256938)

• Easy to tuck in a crowded freezer: Tovolo Classic Stackable Pop Molds (https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/82004/240167/57/256939)

• For sweet treats, cocktails, and more: KitchenAid Shave Ice Attachment (https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/56763/192203/57/256940)

• An at-home frozen drink maker:  Ninja Slushi (https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/65039/207035/57/256941)

• The best ice cream maker: Cuisinart ICE-21P1 (https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/9940/28177/57/256942)

• A great compressor model for lighter-texture ice cream: Whynter ICM-201SB (https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/19947/106957/57/256943)

• A great compressor model for denser ice cream: Whynter ICM-15LS (https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/9936/240550/57/256995 https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/9937/28159/57/256996)

• The best of the best ice cream maker: Lello 4080 Musso Lussino (https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/9937/28159/57/256996)

• An inexpensive slushie cup: Frozen Magic Squeezie Cup (https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/82204/240532/57/256944)

• A higher-end slushie cup ZOKU Original Slush and Shake Maker (https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/82214/240545/57/256945)

• Marilyn loves: Bissell Little Green (https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/out/link/28254/147056/57/256946)

 

Additional reading:

• The Best Popsicle Molds (https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-popsicle-molds/?utm_source=the_wirecutter_show&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=episode_number_101)

• The 4 Best KitchenAid Attachments of 2026 (https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-kitchenaid-attachments/?utm_source=the_wirecutter_show&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=episode_number_101)

• We Tested the Ninja Creami. The Ice Cream Tastes Great. But That Burning Smell ...  (https://ww...

Plus, where did all the cottage cheese go? 

Here’s what we’re covering:

Major Supreme Court Decisions Testing Trump’s Policies Remain (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/23/us/politics/supreme-court-trump-major-cases.html) , by Ann E. Marimow

Congressional Democrats Warn Pulte Against Mass Firings (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/22/us/politics/bill-pulte-firings-national-intelligence.html) , by Julian E. Barnes

Cities and Schools Are Testing Wastewater for Illicit Drugs (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/21/health/drug-testing-wastwater-sewage.html) , by Jan Hoffman

Where Has All the Cottage Cheese Gone? (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/20/business/cottage-cheese-shortage.html) , by Niko Gallogly

Tune in every weekday morning, and tell us what you think at: theheadlines@nytimes.com (mailto:theheadlines@nytimes.com) .

Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts (http://nytimes.com/podcasts) or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

Through his second term, President Trump has systematically pressured judges to carry out his agenda in a little-known court system that oversees immigration.

Nicholas Nehamas, a Washington correspondent for The New York Times, speaks to Judge Holly D’Andrea about the Trump administration’s efforts to speed up deportations.

Guest:

• Nicholas Nehamas (https://www.nytimes.com/by/nicholas-nehamas) , a Washington correspondent for The New York Times.

• Holly D’Andrea, an immigration judge and president of the National Association of Immigration Judges.

Background reading: 

• How Mr. Trump purged immigration judges (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/09/us/politics/trump-miller-immigration-judges-purge.html) to speed up deportations.

Photo: Desiree Rios for The New York Times

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily (http://nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-thedaily) . Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. 

Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts (http://nytimes.com/podcasts) or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

Plus, the “Steven Spielberg of sitcoms.” 

Here’s what we’re covering:

Live Updates on the U.S.-Iran Talks (https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/06/21/world/iran-us-trump-lebanon) , by The New York Times

Three Men Are Key to Iran’s Approach to U.S. Talks (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/21/world/middleeast/three-men-are-key-to-irans-approach-to-us-talks.html) , by Yeganeh Torbati

Trump Says Reflecting Pool Will Likely Need to Be Drained (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/20/us/politics/trump-reflecting-pool-drained.html) , by Minho Kim

Live Updates: Starmer Announces Resignation as Prime Minister (https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/06/22/world/uk-keir-starmer-resign-pressure) , by The New York Times

The Deadly Rise of Giant Trucks and S.U.V.s (https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/06/21/us/trucks-suv-pedestrian-crashes.html) , by Michael H. Keller, Eli Murray, Danielle Ivory and Irineo Cabreros

James Burrows, Master of the TV Sitcom, Dies at 85 (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/19/arts/television/james-burrows-dead.html) , by Glenn Rifkin

On a New ‘Frasier,’ James Burrows Has a Joke for You (https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/10/arts/television/frasier-paramount-james-burrows.html) , by Alexis Soloski

Tune in every weekday morning, and tell us what you think at: theheadlines@nytimes.com (mailto:theheadlines@nytimes.com) .

Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts (http://nytimes.com/podcasts) or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

In his latest public health crusade, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the health secretary, is asking why millions of Americans have been taking psychiatric drugs for far longer than ever intended.

In the process, he’s highlighting an open secret in medicine: that doctors are better at starting drug treatments than at stopping them, and that patients who want to end their treatment are increasingly taking matters into their own hands.

Ellen Barry, a mental health reporter, takes us inside the growing movement to “deprescribe.”

Guest: Ellen Barry (https://www.nytimes.com/by/ellen-barry) , a reporter covering mental health for The New York Times.

Background reading: Some psychiatrists fear that Mr. Kennedy’s call to rein in the use of depression medications will drive patients away from care. (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/24/science/rfk-jr-antidepressants-ssri-psychiatry.html)

Photo: Darren Staples/Reuters

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily (http://nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-thedaily) . Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. 

Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts (http://nytimes.com/podcasts) or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.