Beat the Heat: DIY Ice Cream in a Bag Recipe
On a hot summer day, few things are as satisfying as a nice scoop of ice cream. Unfortunately, not everyone has an ice cream maker handy. Luckily, there is an easy solution: making ice cream in a bag! This DIY recipe is a fun project for any age and allows you to customize your own flavors with any ingredients you have on hand. Best of all, there’s no special equipment required beyond two resealable plastic bags.
What You’ll Need
Making ice cream in a bag is easy, and you probably already have everything you need in your kitchen:
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 to 2/3 cup ice cubes
- 1/3 cup rock salt (optional)
- 2 resealable plastic bags (quart-sized and gallon-sized)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Mix together the heavy cream, milk, sugar, and vanilla extract in the quart-sized plastic bag. Seal the bag tightly and shake it to combine the ingredients.
- Add the ice cubes to the gallon-sized plastic bag, and sprinkle in rock salt if desired. The salt will lower the freezing point of the ice, making the ice cream mixture colder.
- Place the sealed quart-sized bag with the ice cream mixture inside the larger bag, making sure it’s surrounded by the ice. Seal the larger bag shut.
- Start shaking the bag vigorously for 5-7 minutes. Make sure to wear gloves or wrap the bag in a towel to prevent your hands from freezing!
- After 5-7 minutes, check the consistency of the ice cream. If it is not firm enough for your liking, keep shaking for a few more minutes.
- Remove the quart-sized bag from the larger bag and wipe it down with a paper towel. Snip off one corner of the bag, and squeeze the ice cream out into a bowl or cone.
- Enjoy your homemade ice cream!
Cool Off with this No-Churn Ice Cream Recipe You Can Make Anywhere
Maybe shaking a bag of ice and cream doesn’t appeal to you, or perhaps you’re looking for a dairy-free option. Either way, a no-churn ice cream recipe can get the job done with fewer steps and still yield delicious results.
Ingredients
This no-churn recipe is versatile and can be adjusted to your tastes. All you need is:
- 2 cups heavy cream or coconut cream (for a vegan version)
- 1 can (14oz) sweetened condensed milk
- Additions or mixins of your choice: chocolate chips, fruit, nuts, etc.
Instructions
- With an electric mixer, beat heavy cream or coconut cream until stiff peaks form (for about 3-5 minutes).
- Gradually add in the sweetened condensed milk a little bit at a time while still mixing.
- Add in your desired mix-ins, and mix until well-combined.
- Pour the mixture into a freezer-safe container and freeze for at least 4-6 hours, or until completely frozen.
- Serve and enjoy!
Get Creative and Customize Your Own Ice Cream with this Easy Bag Method
Now that you know how to make ice cream in a bag, why not get creative and try out some new flavor combinations?
A great way to customize your ice cream is by experimenting with different mix-ins, like candy, fruit, or nuts. A few ideas include:
- Mint chocolate chip: Add a few drops of peppermint extract and some chocolate chips.
- Strawberry: Mash some fresh strawberries and sweeten them with sugar.
- Rocky road: Mix in mini marshmallows and chopped walnuts or almonds.
Use your imagination and try out new flavor combinations to find your perfect ice cream.
Try This Fun Summer Activity: Making Ice Cream in a Bag with the Family
Making ice cream in a bag is a fun, interactive activity that the whole family can enjoy. Plus, it’s a great way to beat the heat and satisfy your sweet tooth! Here are some ideas for getting the kids involved:
- Let each family member choose their own mix-ins to add to the ice cream mixture.
- Have a contest to see who can shake the bag the longest or create the most unique flavor.
- Use food coloring to make your ice cream different colors and enjoy a rainbow cone.
Any way you slice it, making homemade ice cream in a bag is a fun and delicious summer activity.
How to Make Delicious Homemade Ice Cream with Only a Few Ingredients
Making ice cream in a bag is a great way to create a delicious dessert without spending a lot of money. With only a few ingredients, you can make a creamy, flavorful ice cream that rivals any store-bought brand.
Here are some recipe variations that use minimal ingredients:
- Vanilla ice cream: Combine heavy cream, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla extract.
- Chocolate ice cream: Add cocoa powder to the vanilla ice cream recipe.
- Butter pecan ice cream: Mix chopped pecans and a dash of butter flavoring into the sweetened condensed milk before combining with the heavy cream.
As long as you have heavy cream, sweetened condensed milk, and some flavorings, you have the foundation for a delicious homemade ice cream.
Make Your Own Ice Cream – No Ice Cream Maker Needed!
Making ice cream in a bag is the perfect solution for anyone who doesn’t have an ice cream maker. This method is easy, affordable, and allows you to customize your flavors to your heart’s content. Here’s one final recipe:
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup ice cubes
- 1/4 cup rock salt (optional)
- 2 resealable plastic bags (quart-sized and gallon-sized)
Instructions
- Mix together the heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla extract in the quart-sized plastic bag. Seal the bag tightly and shake it to combine the ingredients.
- Add the ice cubes to the gallon-sized plastic bag, and sprinkle in rock salt if desired.
- Place the sealed quart-sized bag with the ice cream mixture inside the larger bag, making sure it’s surrounded by the ice. Seal the larger bag shut.
- Start shaking the bag vigorously for 5-7 minutes.
- Check the consistency of the ice cream and shake for a few more minutes if necessary.
- Remove the quart-sized bag from the larger bag, wipe it down with a paper towel, and enjoy your homemade ice cream!
A Quick and Easy Ice Cream Recipe You Can Make with Freezer Bags
Did you know that you can use freezer bags to make ice cream? This recipe is similar to the recipe mentioned earlier, but it uses just a few more ingredients:
Ingredients
- 2 cups half-and-half
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup coarse kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 quart-sized resealable plastic freezer bag
- 1 gallon-sized resealable plastic freezer bag
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- In the quart-sized bag, mix together the half-and-half, sugar, and vanilla extract. Seal the bag tightly.
- Fill the gallon-sized bag halfway with ice cubes.
- Add the coarse kosher salt to the bag of ice and mix well.
- Place the quart-sized bag with the ice cream mixture inside the larger bag with the ice. Seal the larger bag shut.
- Shake the bag vigorously for about 10-15 minutes or until the ice cream reaches desired consistency. Be sure to wear gloves or wrap the bag in a towel to protect your hands from the cold.
- Remove the quart-sized bag from the larger bag, wipe it down with a paper towel, and serve. Enjoy!
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a fun summer activity or an easy dessert recipe, making ice cream in a bag is the perfect solution. With just a few ingredients and some shaking, you’ll have a delicious treat that can be completely customized to your tastes.
Whether you prefer a no-churn recipe, simple vanilla or chocolate, or something a little more adventurous, these DIY methods are perfect for making homemade ice cream any time of year.