How do you make ice cream in a bag? I’ve got the answer for you!
One of our very favorite summer activities is making ice cream in a bag. It’s easy (the kids can do it all by themselves!), cheap and fun! I almost always have all of the ingredients on hand. And, who doesn’t love ice cream on a hot summers day???? I know we do! So, I knew I needed to blog about how to make ice cream in a bag so you can all enjoy it too!
I’ve always said that I was born in the wrong decade! I truly yearn for the simple life of the early 1900s, I think that’s partly why I love being frugal. There is just so much satisfaction from growing and making my own food; and living a simpler, less materialistic life.
When we make our own ice cream it reminds me of simpler times. It’s a way for the entire family to have fun together, no need to go to an ice cream parlor or the grocery store. We can do it on our own!
Making homemade ice cream in a bag is such a fun summer activity for kids! Try this recipe out with your kiddos, you will not regret it!
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How To Make Ice Cream In A Bag
Making ice cream in a bag is so easy and fun for kids to help with!
Gather Supplies
The first thing you will need to do is gather your supplies. For this recipe you will need:
- 1 cup half and half
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1/2 cup ice cream salt
- Ice
- Favorite mix ins: chocolate syrup, caramel, sprinkles, vanilla extract, fruit, chocolate chips, etc.
- Gallon Ziplock Freezer Bag
- Quart Ziplock Storage Bag
Ice Cream In A Bag Instructions
Now that you have gathered all of your supplies, it’s time to make the ice cream! AKA: The best part! 😉
The first step is to pour the half and half, sugar and one or more mix ins into the quart sized bag. (we chose to add cocoa for our mix ins because….I mean…it’s chocolate! ;))
Seal the bag shut tightly, taking care to get out all of the excess air. It’s very important that the bag is shut all of the way so that the salt doesn’t get into the ice cream (nobody likes salty ice cream!).
Next, take out your gallon size Ziploc freezer bag and dump in a lot of and about 1/2 cup ice cream salt (I never measure this, I just kind of guess). It doesn’t need to be exact.
Now, just place the quart size bag inside of the gallon size bag. Close the gallon size bag and seal it tight. It’s time to start shaking, this is the fun part!
You will need to shake the bags for a good 5-10 minutes. It takes a lot of hard shaking to get the ice cream to thicken and it’s important to be shaking constantly.
The kids usually get a little tired of shaking the bag so much, we like to turn it into a game. We turn on music and have a shaking dance party, throw them to each other and take turns shaking everyone’s, etc.
Keep shaking the bags until the milk mixture looks frozen, take the quart size bag out and rinse it under cold water. This helps to wash off any excess salt.
Pour your ice cream into a bowl, top with sprinkles if you’d like, and ENJOY!
I love the simplicity of this activity, and the excitement the kids get out of making their very own personal ice cream!
Ice Cream in a Bag
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Half and Half
- 2 Tbsp Sugar optional
- 1/2 Cup Rock Salt
- Ice
Optional Mix Ins
- 1 Tbsp Vanilla
- 1 Tbsp Cocoa
- Chocolate Syrup
- Fruit
- Sprinkles
Instructions
- In a quart ziplock bag mix half and half, sugar and one or more mix ins.
- In a gallon ziplock bag mix ice and rock salt together.
- Take the quart size bag with the ice cream ingredients and get out all the air and seal it shut. Make sure the bag is sealed tight so no salt will get inside. Place the quart size bag inside of the gallon size bag.
- Now for the fun part. You shake it! This takes about 5-10 minutes of HARD shaking. It’s important to be shaking it constantly. I will usually help my little kids to make sure it gets nice and frozen.
- Once the milk mixture looks frozen, take the quart size bag out and rinse it under cold water. This helps to wash off any excess salt.Pour it into your bowl, top with sprinkles if you’d like, and ENJOY! I love the simplicity of this activity, and the excitement the kids get out of making their very own personal ice cream!
In Conclusion
I hope you love this recipe as much as we do! It’s so fun to try to make different flavors and experiment! My daughter had the idea to use a little mint extract and chocolate chips in our next batch for our own chocolate mint flavor! There is really no right or wrong combo!
Let me know if you have any questions about how to make ice cream in a bag. I promise, you will love this recipe and easy summer activity!
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