Ice Cream In a Bag
Did you know you can make homemade Ice Cream in a bag? No need for a fancy ice cream maker. This creamy, delicious ice cream is made in a zip top bag. It’s the perfect summer activity and treat for kids!
Cool off this summer by making easy Ice Cream in a Bag. It keeps the kids busy, plus makes a sweet treat for them to enjoy when they are done. Find yourself looking at this recipe in the cold winter months? You’ve got to give Snow Ice Cream a try with some freshly fallen snow.
This is a quick and easy way to get kids to start using the kitchen and reading recipes. You’d never guess how delicious ice cream is making it in a bag, but it is! Top it with homemade magic shell and you’ve got the best little homemade treat!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No freezer required! This homemade ice cream in a bag recipe only uses ice, salt and ice cream mix in zip top bags to get a perfectly creamy texture.
- Ice cream in a bag is a great science experiment for the kids that ends with a delicious treat. Win-win!
- You only need 6 simple ingredients to make ice cream in a bag. You’ll feel better about eating this than the store bought treat full of preservatives and stabilizers.
Ingredients for Ice Cream in a Bag
- Whole milk – It must be whole milk, you need the higher fat percentage to make this ice cream nice and creamy.
- Heavy whipping cream – This gets that thick creamy ice cream you want. You can also use half and half, but full fat does get the creamiest result.
- Granulated sugar – Adds a little sweetness to your ice cream.
- Pure vanilla extract – You will need this to make vanilla ice cream. If you want to try a different flavor, try another flavored extract.
- Ice – You will be using ice instead of putting this in the freezer to make the ice cream.
- Kosher salt – This will lower the freezing point of the ice, making it extra cold so it doesn’t melt while you are shaking the bags.
- Toppings: Sprinkles, whipped cream, maraschino cherries, strawberries, chocolate syrup, Reese’s Pieces, cookie crumble or whatever you choose!
How to Make Ice Cream in a Bag
- In a small resealable ziploc bag, combine the whole milk, heavy whipping cream, sugar and vanilla. Push out almost all the excess air and seal the bag.
- Put the ice and salt in a large resealable bag then place the small big inside the big bigger bag, seal the big bag.
- Using two hands shake the big bag vigorously for 5-7 minutes or until ice cream has hardened. Take turns to make this go faster.
- Remove the smaller bag from the larger bag and scoop out ice cream into bowls. Top with favorite toppings.
Storage
If you don’t eat all of the ice cream and have some leftover, you can store it in an airtight container in the freezer for a couple of months. I recommend also sealing the top of the ice cream with plastic wrap to keep it from getting freezer burned.
Pro Tips
- Hold the bag with a kitchen towel or oven mitts while you shake it so your hands don’t get too cold.
- Buy name brand, quality bags that seal to avoid getting salty ice cream. If the bags open at all the water and salt mixture will get into your ice cream.
- Make chocolate ice cream by adding a little chocolate syrup to the ice cream mixture before mixing.
- Shake the bag for about 7 minutes total. It may take longer if you don’t shake it as hard or continuously. When the mixture is thick has the consistency of ice cream, you are done shaking. Stir it up a little before spooning it into bowls.
- While kosher salt is best because of it’s large surface area, you can use table salt if that’s all you have on hand.
Ice Cream in a Bag is the quickest and easiest way to enjoy a cool dessert this this summer, or any time of the year! Fix it up in a dish or cone with all of your favorite toppings for a delicious treat.
Ice Cream In a Bag
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 4 cups ice
- ⅓ cup kosher salt
- Toppings of your choice sprinkles, whipped cream, maraschino cherries, chocolate syrup
Instructions
- In a small resealable bag, combine the whole milk, heavy whipping cream, sugar and vanilla. Push out almost all the excess air and seal the bag.
- Put the ice and salt in a large resealable bag then place the small bag inside the bag with the ice and salt, seal the big bag.
- Shake the big bag vigorously for 5-7 minutes or until ice cream has hardened.
- Remove the smaller bag from the bigger bag and scoop ice cream into bowls. Top with favorite toppings.
Video
Nutrition
MORE KID FRIENDLY RECIPES!
- Whip up a batch of Cake Mix cookies and create ice cream sandwiches after you make this ice Cream in a Bag.
- Did you know you can make Rock Candy at home? Not only does it get the kids in the kitchen it doubles as a science experiment!
- Grab your cookie cutters, the kids and make these fun and easy Jell-O Jigglers that are a fun and delicious treat kids love! So easy to make with the kids!
- A sweet and delicious cheesecake marshmallow dip with festive colors! Mermaid Dip is the perfect dessert dip to dunk vanilla wafers, butter cookies, shortbread cookies and so much more in.
Loved the recipes my daughter had fun making it and it came out delicious
Glad you enjoyed this recipe! Thanks for sharing!
Excited to try this today! Can you add mix ins before you mix/make it? Or will that ruin the texture of it etc
The ideal time to add mix-ins is when the ice cream has thickened into a soft-serve consistency!