Ice Cream In a Bag

Published on by rkludy

In recognition of National Ice Cream Day, try making your own ice cream in a bag! (Hint: you may want all of your family members available to help!)

Supplies:

  • 1 gallon zipper-style bag (the heavy duty freezer style!)
  • 1 quart zipper-style bag
  • 4 cups ice
  • 1 cup ice cream salt or table salt
  • 1/2 tablespoon sugar
  • 1/2 cup light whipping cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Cups and spoons

Steps

  1. Pour the cream, vanilla extract, and sugar into the small zipper bag. Squeeze as much air out as possible, mix well and seal the bag carefully.
  2. Place the small zipper-type bag into the large bag. Cover with ice and salt. Seal the large bag tightly.
  3. Shake, toss and flip the “ice cream machine” for 5 to 10 minutes. If the bag gets too cold to handle, wrap it with a towel or pass it from person to person. If the mixture hasn’t frozen after 10 minutes, add more salt and ice.
  4. Open the larger bag and remove the smaller bag. Wipe the smaller bag thoroughly before opening it so the salty water does not contaminate the ice cream. The ice cream should be the consistency of soft serve ice cream.
  5. Eat right out of the bag or serve in small cups.

Reflect:

  • What do you think the salt did?  Why did we need it?  DID we need it?  How can you find out?
  • How could you make chocolate ice cream?  What about strawberry ice cream?
  • What do you think would happen if you would just put the small bag of ingredients into the freezer without shaking it up?

(Source: Acres of Adventures, Book 1, National 4-H Curriculum)