The Clay County 4-H Program served up another fun and flavorful experience—this time with homemade ice cream and cake pops! To beat the summer heat and build some kitchen skills, potential members of the 4-H Cooking Club gathered for a hands-on culinary adventure.
Participants learned just how much effort goes into churning ice cream the old-fashioned way. With peach season in full swing, they worked together to turn simple ingredients into creamy, delicious peach ice cream—one churn at a time.
While waiting their turn at the churn, youth also explored the science behind caramel-making. They discovered the delicate timing needed to transform sugar into rich, golden caramel—keeping a close watch to avoid burning while the sweet scent filled the kitchen.
As the ice cream set, the group moved on to making cake pops. Laughter filled the room as kids mashed cake and icing into gooey dough, then shaped and decorated their creations with colorful Flair. It was messy, fun, and, according to the youth, absolutely delicious.Once the ice cream was ready, it didn’t take long for a line to form. Bowls were quickly filled with peach ice cream, topped with a drizzle of homemade caramel, and paired with a custom-decorated cake pop. Smiles and sticky fingers were everywhere!
This is just one of many exciting events planned as the Clay County 4-H Cooking Club continues to grow. Our next gathering is set for August 22 and is open to all Clay County youth ages 5–18 (as of January 1st). If you’re interested in learning to cook, having fun, and making new friends, we’d love for you to join us!
For more information about Clay County 4-H or the Cooking Club, please contact 4-H Agent Kiffney Stokes at (828) 389-6305 or email kiffney.stokes@ncus.edu.