I bought the Cusinart also as have to make my own dairy free ice cream. I use canned coconut milk instead of any dairy. The secret I have found to keep the ice cream from being icy solid is to add about 3/4 teaspoon of sea salt when I give it the last turn in the blender before freezing it. There is no salty taste, to me anyway. Butter Pecan is my favorite but like the fruit types, too.