Summer is here, and what better way to cool down than with a fun and easy ice cream making activity you can do right at home? Making ice cream in a Ziploc bag is not only delicious, but also a fun science experiment to share with your kids.
Let’s dive into this simple and exciting recipe!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup half-and-half or milk
- 2 tablespoon of sugar
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- Ice
- 1/2 cup of salt (rock salt or table salt)
- Quart-sized Ziploc bag
- Gallon-sized Ziploc bag
Instructions:
- Mix the ingredients: In the quart-sized Ziploc bag, combine the half-and-half, sugar, and vanilla extract. Seal the bag tightly, ensuring there are no leaks. Please note that your ice cream will be creamier if you use half-and-half and icier if you just use milk. You can even use almond or coconut milk for a dairy free alternative.
- Prepare the ice bag: Fill the gallon-sized Ziploc bag halfway with ice and add the salt.
- Shake it up!: Place the small bag with the ice cream mixture inside the larger bag filled with ice and salt. Seal the larger bag tightly. Now comes the fun part! It’s time to shake it like a Polaroid picture! Shake the bags vigorously for about 5-10 minutes. It’s a great way to get your kids involved — they’ll love the shaking and anticipation of delicious homemade ice cream.
- Enjoy your treat: Once the mixture hardens, carefully remove the small bag from the ice and salt. Rinse the bag quickly to remove any salt before opening. Grab a spoon and enjoy your homemade ice cream straight from the bag or scoop it into a bowl.
Tips for extra fun:
- Add your favorite mix-ins like chocolate chips, crumbled Oreo cookies, sprinkles, or fruit after the ice cream has firmed up.
- Try experimenting with different flavors by adding cocoa powder, strawberry puree, or any other flavorings you love.
The science behind the fun
The magic of making ice cream in a Ziploc bag lies in a bit of simple science. When salt is added to the ice, it lowers the freezing point of the ice, causing it to melt. This process absorbs heat from the ice cream mixture, making it colder than the freezing point of water alone. As you shake the bags, the ice cream mixture rapidly cools and freezes, transforming from a liquid into a creamy, delicious treat. This hands-on experiment not only results in tasty ice cream, but also provides a cool demonstration of how salt affects the freezing process.
Making ice cream in a Ziploc bag is a fantastic way to spend quality time with your kids. Not only do they get to enjoy a tasty treat at the end, but they also learn a bit of science along the way. I have fond memories of doing this science experiment with my kindergarten class over 30 years ago, so I love being able to share it with my little one this summer.
