Homemade Ice Cream in a Bag: Fun and Easy No-Cook Delight
Transform a simple gathering into a memorable experience with this homemade ice cream in a bag! This delightful recipe requires no cooking or fancy equipment, making it perfect for kids of all ages and a fantastic activity for parties, camp-outs, or family nights. Watch as everyone gets involved in shaking and squishing their own ice cream! Customize your flavorful creation by adding your favorite mix-ins like cookies, chocolate, or fruit. Remember, the excitement is in the process, and the result is a creamy, delicious treat everyone will love. This recipe is adaptable; feel free to use fat-free milk or less sugar without sacrificing taste. Get ready for a sweet adventure that's fun and delicious!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
6
Ingredients
Ingredients
Heavy Whipping Cream
2 cups (None)
Half-and-Half Cream
2 cups (None)
White Sugar
1/2 cup (None)
Vanilla Extract
2 teaspoons (None)
Ice Cubes
As needed (None)
Coarse Salt
4 cups (None)
Instructions
1
Gather all your ingredients and materials: 2 pint-sized resealable plastic freezer bags for each child, 1 gallon-sized resealable plastic freezer bag, gloves or a towel, and ice and salt.
2
In a large pitcher or measuring cup, combine the heavy whipping cream, half-and-half, sugar, and vanilla extract. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.
3
Pour approximately 1/2 cup of the cream mixture into one pint-sized bag, ensuring to squeeze out any excess air before sealing tightly. For extra protection, place this sealed bag inside another pint-sized bag, squeezing out excess air again before sealing.
4
Fill the gallon-sized bag halfway with ice and mix in 1/2 cup of coarse salt. This salt helps lower the freezing point, allowing the ice cream to form.
5
Insert the sealed pint-sized bag into the gallon-sized bag, squeezing out as much air as possible before sealing the large bag.
6
Put on mittens or wrap the bag in a towel to protect your hands from the extreme cold. Shake and massage the bag vigorously for about 5–10 minutes or until you see the mixture begin to thicken and resemble ice cream. If it hasn't formed after 10 minutes, you can add more ice and salt to the outer bag.
7
Carefully remove the outer pint-sized bag, ensuring no salty ice gets inside. Open the inner bag, and scoop out your homemade ice cream! Enjoy it right away, or you can place it in the freezer for later.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Homemade Ice Cream in a Bag?
It is a fun and easy no-cook recipe that allows you to make creamy ice cream by shaking ingredients in a plastic bag filled with ice and salt.
What ingredients are required for this recipe?
You will need 2 cups of heavy whipping cream, 2 cups of half-and-half, 1/2 cup of white sugar, 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, ice cubes, and 4 cups of coarse salt.
How long does it take to shake the ice cream?
You need to shake and massage the bag vigorously for about 5 to 10 minutes until the mixture thickens into ice cream.
Why is coarse salt used in the ice?
Salt helps lower the freezing point of the ice, which creates the extreme cold necessary to freeze the cream mixture into ice cream.
Can I use fat-free milk instead of cream?
Yes, this recipe is adaptable and you can use fat-free milk if you prefer a lighter version.
What types of bags are needed?
You need two pint-sized resealable plastic freezer bags and one gallon-sized resealable plastic freezer bag for each serving.
Do I need an ice cream maker?
No, this is a no-cook recipe that requires no fancy equipment or an ice cream machine.
Can I add mix-ins to the ice cream?
Absolutely! You can customize your ice cream by adding cookies, chocolate chips, or fruit to the mixture.
Is this activity suitable for children?
Yes, it is a perfect activity for kids of all ages and is great for parties, camp-outs, or family nights.
How do I protect my hands from the cold?
You should wear mittens or wrap the gallon bag in a towel while shaking to protect your hands from the freezing temperatures.
Can I use less sugar in the recipe?
Yes, you can adjust the recipe to use less sugar without sacrificing the overall quality and taste.
What should I do if the ice cream hasn't formed after 10 minutes?
If the mixture is still liquid, you can add more ice and salt to the outer gallon bag and continue shaking for a few more minutes.
How do I prevent the ice cream from becoming salty?
When removing the inner bag, be careful to wipe off any salty water from the outside before opening it to scoop out the ice cream.
Can I store the ice cream for later?
Yes, you can enjoy the ice cream immediately or place it in the freezer to eat at a later time.
Why do I need to double bag the cream mixture?
Placing the sealed pint bag inside another pint bag provides extra protection to ensure no salt water leaks into your ice cream.
How much of the cream mixture goes into each pint bag?
You should pour approximately 1/2 cup of the prepared cream mixture into the pint-sized bag.
What is the first step in making the ice cream?
The first step is to gather all ingredients and materials, then combine the creams, sugar, and vanilla in a pitcher.
How much salt is used in the gallon bag?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of coarse salt to be mixed with the ice inside the gallon-sized bag.
Should I remove the air from the bags?
Yes, it is important to squeeze out as much excess air as possible before sealing both the pint bags and the gallon bag.
What is the texture of the finished product?
The texture should be thick and creamy, resembling traditional soft-serve ice cream.
What is the total amount of coarse salt needed for the recipe?
The ingredient list specifies 4 cups of coarse salt in total for the process.
Can I use vanilla bean instead of extract?
While the recipe calls for vanilla extract, you can certainly experiment with other flavorings to suit your taste.
How much ice do I need for the gallon bag?
You should fill the gallon-sized bag approximately halfway with ice cubes.
Is this recipe good for birthday parties?
Yes, it is an excellent and engaging activity for birthday parties where everyone can make their own treat.
What tools are needed for mixing?
You will need a large pitcher or a measuring cup and something to stir the mixture until the sugar dissolves.
Can I use regular table salt?
Coarse salt or rock salt is recommended because it is more effective at lowering the freezing point of ice for this method.
How many pint bags are needed per person?
The recipe suggests 2 pint-sized resealable bags for each child to ensure a secure, double-bagged seal.
Is this a good recipe for camping?
Yes, it is a fantastic campfire treat because it requires no electricity and minimal equipment.
How do I ensure the sugar is fully incorporated?
Stir the mixture in your pitcher until the sugar is completely dissolved before pouring it into the bags.
Is the ice cream served in the bag?
You can eat it directly from the bag or scoop it out into a bowl for serving.