From the first time I had a bite of Lokelani Alabanza's ice cream, I knew she was mixing up a special concoction at the intersection of history, memory, and nostalgia. Some of the flavors she offers in this book are pulled from the pages of America's ice cream past for us to rediscover. Others are new inventions that speak to a collective memory of American culture. But her recipes explore how the flavor of Black culture are intrinsically American; each one feels familiar because our cuisine couldn't exist without them.--Sarah Lohman, author of Endangered Eating

Ice Cream Queen feels like an homage to my grandmother's porch--the place where I learned making ice cream is akin to making family and community. It is a gift to read Black people's intellectual contributions and flavor profiles elevated in a cookbook about this quintessential American treat.--Ashanté M. Reese, author of Gather

Ice Cream Queen honors the brilliance of Black cooks and confectioners whose creativity shaped America's sweetest traditions. Lokelani brings their stories forward with a tenderness that carries me back to my own childhood summers--when flavors like Summer Peach, Butter Pecan, and Salted Watermelon held moments of pure joy. Filled with inventive recipes and deeply researched history, this book shines a long-overdue spotlight on the creators whose contributions helped define the nation's dessert culture. More than a cookbook, Ice Cream Queen is a vibrant celebration of culture, community, and a reclaimed culinary legacy.--Cheryl Day, author of Cheryl Day's Treasury of Southern Baking

Ice Cream Queen is a beautiful ode to a frozen, churned and unmistakably American treat. When you think about what embodies Americana cuisine you can skip past burgers and hotdogs and let Alabanza guide you through the richness of Black history told through flavors that have shaped generations.--Paola Velez, author of Bodega Bakes

Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company

Pub date: 2026-06-16

Length: 264 pages