While browsing Amazon recently, I ran across an item called the Dippin’ Dots Frozen Dot Maker. Intrigued by the idea of making my own Dippin’ Dots at home, I decided to purchase it and try it out myself. Today I offer my unbiased review.
Where to Purchase
I bought the Dippin’ Dots Frozen Dot Maker for $30.23 on Amazon, which seemed reasonable to me. The product’s Amazon rating was a modest 3.7 stars from over 500 reviews, which didn’t bode well for this product. Despite this, I decided to give it a try, partly fueled by nostalgia, and partly out of sheer curiosity.
Dippin’ Dots Frozen Dot Maker Review
The maker can supposedly transform any soda, juice, or milk into frozen dots in 2-3 hours. The set included the maker, six trays, four bowls, four spoons, two pop pens, and instructions. Interestingly, while there were a few positive comments on Amazon, the negative ones were far more detailed. The common complaints were that the resulting product didn’t resemble Dippin’ Dots, a lack of included flavorings or mixes, and the vagueness of the provided recipes. Some users also found it hard to use and reported ending up with a big block of dots stuck together.
My first task was to fill the dispensers. The machine comes with three dispensers and two pens that can also be used to fill the trays. The recipes provided were unspecific, so I opted to experiment with different juice and soda concoctions. I filled the three dispensers with various liquids including mango banana juice, pineapple juice, and a Starbucks drink. I had tried to fill one with soda, but the pressure from carbonation led to constant leakage. After filling the dispensers, the next step was to dispense the liquid into the tray molds. This was done by placing a tray into the base, then placing the dispensing cup on top of the tray (with a small dispensing tube that aligns with a hole in the tray). After filling the cup to the fill line, a lever on the cup is pressed and the mold is filled. It’s quite easy and I think that kids could easily handle the process up to this point. The trays then needed to be frozen for two to three hours. I let them sit in my freezer for four hours, just to make sure they were done.
The results were mixed. The dots created from the mango banana juice were circular but not quite the same as Dippin’ Dots. The pineapple juice produced better results, more closely resembling the texture of the original product. But again, while they were a delicious frozen treat, they weren’t the Dippin’ Dots I used to enjoy with my kids when they were little (and even when they weren’t so little).
The coffee drink from Starbucks created dots that looked more like Dippin’ Dots than the others. They weren’t perfect, but they were definitely closer. They still tasted more like frozen treats than Dippin’ Dots, but I was pleased with the result.
The biggest issue was getting the dots out of the trays. They were sometimes difficult to remove and didn’t always come out whole, which was a bit disappointing.
In conclusion, the Dippin’ Dots Frozen Dot Maker was a fun experiment and a unique way to create homemade frozen treats. However, if you’re expecting to recreate the exact Dippin’ Dots experience at home, you might be disappointed. The end product is enjoyable, but not quite the same as the original. So, while I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it for die-hard Dippin’ Dots fans, it could be a fun activity for those looking to try their hand at DIY frozen treats.
If you’ve used this product, tell me what you think in the comments below!
