Chill Out This Summer with Homemade Ice Cream

The past few weeks at camp Edvotek have included some record-breakingly hot days. As the summer sun blazes down and temperatures rise, there’s nothing quite as refreshing as a scoop of homemade ice cream. Whether you’re a fan of classic vanilla, adventurous with unique flavors, or someone who loves experimenting with ingredients, making your own ice cream at home is a fun and delicious way to beat the heat. Plus, it’s easier than you might think! Here’s a guide to get you started on your ice cream-making journey.

Why Make Homemade Ice Cream?

Although the freezer section of your local grocery store is likely packed with dozens of ice cream options, there are plenty of reasons to make it yourself. Making ice cream is a fun activity that kids can do with family or friends. The process does not take long, meaning you can enjoy your reward more quickly than you might expect. Plus, you can create flavors that are as simple or as extravagant as you like. From classic vanilla and chocolate to more unique flavors like lavender honey or avocado, the possibilities are endless. Plus, making ice cream at home allows you to control for specific dietary preferences. Whether you’re vegan, lactose intolerant, or have other dietary restrictions, you can tailor your ice cream recipe to suit your needs.

Basic Homemade Ice Cream Recipe

This recipe uses rock salt to help the ice cream mixture rapidly freeze. You can find rock salt in most grocery stores, often in the baking aisle. It is even sometimes labeled as “ice cream salt”. It’s important to use the right salt, as table salt will dissolve faster and might prevent the ice cream from properly freezing. The rock salt will be combined with ice, creating a brine solution. This solution has a lower freezing point than regular ice, which means it maintains a lower temperature than a mixture without the salt. As you can imagine, this helps to freeze the ice cream mixture more efficiently – the process saves time and also makes a creamier, tastier treat. The big advantage of using rock salt is that you do not need an ice cream maker!

Ingredients

For the Ice Cream Base:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

For the Freezing Process:

• Ice
• 1/2 cup rock salt
• 1 gallon-size ziplock bag and 1 quart-size ziplock bag

Instructions

1. Prepare the Ice Cream Base:
   • In a medium mixing bowl, combine the heavy cream, whole milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.
   • Whisk until the sugar is fully dissolved.
2. Transfer the Base to a Bag:
   • Pour the ice cream mixture into the quart-size ziplock bag.
   • Squeeze out any excess air and seal the bag tightly. Ensure there are no holes to let the ice cream mixture out or let salt water in!
3. Prepare the Ice and Rock Salt Mixture:
   • Fill the gallon-size ziplock bag halfway with ice.
   • Add the rock salt to the ice. The salt lowers the melting point of the ice, which helps freeze the ice cream mixture faster.
4. Combine and Shake:
   • Place the sealed quart-size bag (containing the ice cream mixture) into the gallon-size bag with the ice and rock salt.
   • Seal the gallon-size bag tightly.
   • Shake the bags vigorously for about 10-15 minutes. You can use a towel or gloves to hold the bag, as it will get very cold.
5. Check the Consistency:
   • After shaking, open the gallon-size bag and check the consistency of the ice cream in the quart-size bag.
   • If it’s not firm enough, reseal both bags and shake for an additional 5 minutes.
6. Serve:
   • Once the ice cream reaches the desired consistency, remove the quart-size bag from the larger bag.
   • Carefully wipe off any salt from the outside of the smaller bag to prevent it from getting into the ice cream.
   • Scoop the ice cream into bowls or cones and enjoy immediately.

Tips for Success

• Use High-Quality Ingredients: Fresh dairy and pure vanilla extract enhance the flavor.
• Ensure a Tight Seal: Make sure both bags are sealed tightly to prevent salt from entering the ice cream mixture.
• Shake Vigorously: Consistent and vigorous shaking ensures even freezing and a smooth texture.
• Add Mix-Ins: After the initial freezing, you can add mix-ins like chocolate chips, fruit, or cookie pieces by opening the quart-size bag, adding the mix-ins, and shaking again for a few minutes.
• Pre-Chill Ingredients: Ensure your mixture is well-chilled before churning to speed up the process and improve the texture

This method is perfect for a quick and fun ice cream-making experience and is especially great for kids. Let us know if you make your own ice cream and if you have any interesting flavor combinations to recommend!