Steve and I landed in Kansas City in the afternoon and drove straight from the airport to Betty Rae’s. I’d read about the place before our trip, and we both agreed it sounded like the perfect way to kick things off. Betty Rae’s makes their ice cream from scratch and regularly rotates the flavors, so there’s always something new to try. Some of the flavors are pretty classic, but others push the boundaries in ways that make you wonder who came up with them, and why.
We ordered the Adventure Flight, which comes with six scoops. The Crème Brûlée flavor is usually part of the flight, but it was sold out, so we got to choose a substitute and went with Pineapple Upside Down Cake.
Here’s what was in our flight:
Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Very sweet. Think canned pineapple and birthday cake. Not bad, just a bit much.
Lavender Honey
Soft and delicate flavor. A refined kind of scoop that would feel right at home on a fancy dessert menu.
Thou Mayest Coffee
Made in collaboration with the local craft coffee roaster Thou Mayest. Deep and balanced, like a frozen affogato. One of the better coffee ice creams I’ve had.
Salted Caramel
Rich caramel flavor, but definitely on the sweeter side.
Goat Cheese, Apricots & Candied Walnuts
This one was our favorite. The tangy goat cheese worked perfectly with the sweet apricots and crunchy walnuts. Light, bright, and refreshing, especially on a warm day like this.
Mint & Chocolate Flakes
I usually think mint ice cream tastes like toothpaste, but this one surprised me. More After Eight than Colgate. Fresh and really good.
One of the more out-there flavors on the menu is Joe’s KC BBQ, made in collaboration with Joe’s Kansas City, the legendary barbecue joint. The ice cream has chunks of burnt ends and a swirl of barbecue sauce, yes, really. Steve was curious enough to ask for a sample, and the scoop he got had an actual piece of meat in it. He took one bite and looked like he instantly regretted it. Steve usually eats any kind of ice cream, but this one crossed the line. The girl behind the counter laughed and said she wasn’t a fan either. Honestly, it’s hard to imagine anyone genuinely enjoying that combo.
Betty Rae’s, 412 Delaware St, Kansas City, MO 64105
The Ninja CREAMi is hands down the best ice cream maker I’ve tried. What I really like is the texture. The ice cream comes out so smooth and creamy, better than anything I’ve managed with other machines. It’s also incredibly easy to use: you prep your base, freeze it overnight, and then let the CREAMi do the rest. With several one-touch programs, you can make ice cream, sorbet, gelato, milkshakes, or even smoothie bowls, and the re-spin function lets you make your batch softer if you prefer. You can go all in with decadent gelato, or make lighter, low-sugar or dairy-free versions. You can even add your favorite mix-ins like chocolate, nuts, or fruit to make it your own. It’s a fun, reliable machine that makes experimenting with flavors at home so much more exciting.
