An apparatus for dispensing ice cream includes a seating for a container and a plunger for extruding product from the container. An actuator controls movement of the plunger between retracted and extended positions. An output member of the actuator moves from an extended position to a retracted position to drive the plunger to its extended position, for a dispensing operation. The output member is arranged for upward movement to move the plunger to its retracted position. The output member and plunger have respective axes of movement which are off set from one another, one behind the other. The actuator is arranged in a housing and the plunger is located at a height generally above the actuator.
