Following Sunday morning worship, members of Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Dallas cranked-up their ice cream makers for the annual ice cream churn-off. 

This year’s panel of esteemed judges; Barbara Williams, former editor of travel for the Dallas Morning News; Buzz Dicken, owner of E.C. Dicken and Mike Bowden, a risk analyst for Chase Paymentec tasted entries and rated them on flavor, aroma and texture, giving additional points for creativity of the  name given the ice cream. 

Entries included delicious concoctions like “Hatch Chili” and “Orange Surprise” and clever names like “Strawberry Fields Forever” and “Walking on Watermelon.” 

Keeping the earned name of a great cook with his place and show wins was Jim Clark (he also won the chili cook-off last January) who churned “Luscious Lavender” and “B.C” (Banana, Coconut), but it was Anne Pogson who took home the blue and a professional ice cream scoop with her recipe for chocolate ice cream that she named “Waiting for Bluebell.” 

Central is a warm and friendly church who reaches out to the community, welcomes everyone and makes each Sunday special  in a variety of ways,  It is home to Connecting Point of Park Cities, a day program for adults with disabilities as well as a community dog park.

Waiting for Bluebell 

1 cup whole milk

1/2 cup granulated sugar

8 ounces bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate broken into 1/2” pieces

2 cups heavy cream, well chilled

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Heat whole milk until just bubbling.  In blender or processor, pulse to process the sugar with chocolate until finely chopped.  Add hot milk and process until well blended and smooth. Transfer to a medium bowl and let chocolate mixture cool completely.  Stir in heavy cream and vanilla to taste.  Chill for 30 minutes or longer. Turn machine on, pour chilled mixture into freezer bowl and mix until thickened, about 30 minutes