Inside the Brimly Test Kitchen—May Highlights from the Test Kitchen

“So much to talk about.”

BY Steph @the Brimly Test Kitchen

June 22, 2026

Image Source/Daniel Dan

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Welcome to our May roundup. May was a really enjoyable month here at Brimly. We spent the month working on our ice cream theme, which brought plenty of recipe testing, a few surprises, and more than a few delicious treats along the way. There were recipes that came together exactly as I hoped, recipes that taught me something new, and a few that reminded me why I enjoy this process so much in the first place. Beyond the kitchen, we also spent time making improvements behind the scenes, particularly with the podcast, where we've been working on some exciting changes that you might already be seeing. Overall, May felt like a month of growth, creativity, and finally tackling a few things that had been sitting on my to-do list for far too long. So with all that said… let's take a look back at some of the highlights from the month, let’s talk about it.

Test Kitchen Updates:

For this month’s featured recipe, I have to highlight the gluten-free waffle cones. This recipe honestly meant a lot to me because it was something I had put off for over a year. I had already purchased the tools I needed, but every time I thought about testing it, I found a reason to wait. When I realized that the theme for May was going to be ice cream, I immediately knew waffle cones needed to be on the list, and I’ll admit, I felt a little overwhelmed. Out of all the recipes I planned for the month, this was the one that made me question whether I could actually pull it off. But once I finally sat down and started testing, everything changed. On the very first test, the recipe worked beautifully. It came together with just a few simple ingredients, and I was honestly so happy with the result. The cones rolled easily, held their shape, and cooled into a crispy, crunchy cone that tasted exactly like something you’d expect to get at a fair or ice cream shop.

What impressed me most was how well they held together without the use of gluten or gums. I truly did not expect them to be as sturdy as they were. You can pile scoop after scoop of ice cream into them, and they hold up wonderfully. This recipe reminded me that there is still so much potential in gluten-free, gum-free baking, and sometimes the things we put off out of fear end up becoming our favorite projects. Looking back, I spent far more time worrying about this recipe than actually making it. Once I got started, it turned out to be one of the easiest and most rewarding recipes of the month. It’s a recipe I’m incredibly proud of, and one that really opened my eyes to what’s possible when you simply decide to begin. Overall, the entire ice cream theme was a lot of fun to work on, and I’m excited for you to continue trying the recipes, including a dairy-free ice cream that will be coming very soon.

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Tools We’re Loving:

Proctor Silex Waffle Cone Maker

Bottom line: This affordable cone maker creates crisp homemade waffle cones effortlessly, delivering consistent results with minimal cleanup.

The first tool I want to highlight is the Proctor Silex Waffle Cone and Ice Cream Bowl Maker. This device was incredibly helpful this month. It’s simple, straightforward, and honestly, it just works. You set your browning level, let it heat up, and once the light comes on, you add your batter and close it. After about three to four minutes, your cone is ready.
What I really love is how easy it is to use. It comes with a cone roller and a bowl press, which makes shaping super simple. By the time you roll the cone, it cools quickly and firms up into that crispy texture you want. It also stores vertically, which is a nice bonus if you’re working with limited space. It’s not a complicated machine at all, and that’s exactly what makes it so effective.

SHOP AT AMAZON

Ninja 200W Express Food Choppers

Bottom line: This compact chopper handles nuts, chocolate, and toppings effortlessly, delivering quick, consistent results every time.

The second tool is the Ninja chopper, and this one has been a great addition to my kitchen. It’s small, compact, and perfect for quick tasks. I’ve been using it to chop chocolate into smaller pieces, almost like cacao nibs, and it does a fantastic job. It’s also great for nuts, dried fruit, and anything you need to quickly break down.
What I appreciate most is how easy and efficient it is. It has a simple pulse function on top, so you have full control over how much you want to process your ingredients. It’s dishwasher safe, BPA-free, and very affordable. I actually have two of them now, one for personal use and one for Brimly, and they both get used regularly. It’s one of those tools that just makes sense.

SHOP AT AMAZON

Ingredient Spotlight:

Coconut Flakes

This month’s ingredient spotlight goes to Let’s Do Organic Unsweetened Coconut Flakes. This is a product I’ve really enjoyed using, both in my recipes and for personal use. It’s simple, clean, and exactly what it says it is, just pure coconut flakes with no added ingredients.

I used it in a recipe that’s coming out soon, and it worked beautifully. But beyond that, I love how versatile it is. You can use it to make your own coconut milk, which I did using my nut milk maker, and it turned out smooth and natural with no artificial taste at all. It’s also great as a topping, especially when toasted.

What I like most is the quality. It’s gluten-free, sulfite-free, and organic, and I don’t have to worry about how it’s going to affect my body. It’s just good, clean food that I feel comfortable using and sharing.

Life at Brimly:

Looks like our podcast got a new segment! The Brimly Book Club has kicked off on a high note already.

The month of May brought a lot of changes, especially when it comes to the podcast. We’ve been working on restructuring it and adding new elements to make it more engaging and meaningful. One of the biggest additions is the book club segment, which we’re really excited about.

Now, just to clarify, these changes are showing up in the June episodes, but the work for them was done throughout May. We spent a lot of time planning, recording, and refining what we wanted the podcast to become. It’s no longer just about highlighting a recipe. There’s more depth now, more conversation, and more connection.

The book we worked with is The Writer’s Table, which is a collection of writers sharing their relationship with food and cooking. It’s such a thoughtful and interesting book, and it made for a really meaningful discussion. Overall, May was a big month of preparation and transition, and I’m really happy with where things are headed.

Life Optimization Tools

As always, I have to mention Instacart. This is not sponsored, just something I genuinely use and appreciate. Lately, I’ve been relying more on delivery than pickup, simply because there has been so much going on.

There were several moments this month where I realized I needed something quickly and didn’t have time to leave and get it myself. Being able to place an order and have it delivered, sometimes within the hour, has been incredibly helpful. The drivers have been attentive, and I’ve been able to communicate with them directly while they shop, which makes a big difference.

It’s one of those tools that just makes life easier when things get busy, and for me, it’s been a huge help in keeping things running smoothly at the test kitchen.

Not sponsored, just what works for me personally.

Vanilla Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

“It’s made with simple ingredients you can feel good about serving.”

Visit Recipe

From Me to You:

Do not be afraid.

Fear has a way of making things feel impossible when they’re not. It can stop you before you even begin. And I’ve experienced that myself at several points in life, actually. A great example is the challenges I faced when committing to the featured recipe I discussed earlier. I put it off for so long simply because I was unsure if it would work. But once I pushed past that and actually tried, everything changed.

So my encouragement to you is this: don’t let fear make decisions for you. There are things you may have set aside or avoided because they felt too big or too uncertain. But sometimes, all it takes is one step forward. Have faith. Trust God. Be courageous.