Ice Cream In A Bag

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This ice cream science experiment is so cool, I mean can you think of anything more fun than making homemade ice cream in a bag for kids!

Three ziplock bags of ice cream with spoons on a marble bench scattered with sprinkles.

Why This Recipe Works

Instant ice cream - ready in 5 minutes
A snack-tivity: fun and a snack all in one!
3 ingredients

Ingredients you will need

To make ice cream in a bag you will need

cream
icing sugar
vanilla extract
ice
salt

1 small zip lock bag
1 large zip lock bag (or large container with a leakproof lid)

OPTIONAL FLAVORINGS

The ingredients required to make ice cream in a bag laid out on a bench including zip lock bags ice and salt.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutes

Cream: The ice cream will work with full-cream milk as well
Icing sugar: Honey or maple syrup will work too.
Salt: Any salt is fine to use but it is essential for this recipe to work. The salt reduces the melting point of ice allowing the temperature of the ice water in the outer bag to fall a few degrees below freezing meaning it is cold enough to freeze the cream or milk into ice cream. If you try this experiment without ice you will find it won't work.

I am an ambassador for Countdown supermarket, they support my blog by providing ingredients for recipe creation and testing. I used cream and icing sugar from their range in this recipe.

Ice Cream Science

Below are illustrated step-by-step instructions to make ice cream in a bag, if you prefer just the written instructions then head straight to the printable recipe card below.

Step one: In the small bag (sandwich size) place the cream, icing sugar, vanilla and optional flavorings if using). Remove excess air from the bag containing the ice cream mixture and seal closed.

Three zip lock bags of cream on a wooden tray with small bowls of strawberry puree, cocoa and vanilla extract.

Step two: In the large plastic bag or container add the ice and salt., plus the sealed bag of ice cream ingredients. Seal the large bag keeping air in it so that you can shake the ice around easily

A jar of rock salt being poured into a large zip loc bag of ice.

A small zip lock bag of ice cream ingredients inside a big zip lock bag of ice and salt.

Step three: Shake vigorously until the ice cream freezes and gains a consistency similar to soft-serve ice cream.

A small zip lock bag of ice cream ingredients inside a big zip lock bag of ice and salt being shaken.

Enjoy!

A spoonful of vanilla ice cream being held above three bags of ice cream.

Top Tips

Here is how you can make this instant ice cream perfectly every time!

Always remember the salt!
When you open the bag of ice cream be careful that none of the very salty water drips in!
Sprinkles: Add a few sprinkles or chocolate chips to the vanilla ice cream for even more fun

FAQs

How does the ice cream in a bag work?

The secret to the ice cream science experiment is the salt. The salt reduces the melting point of ice allowing the temperature of the ice water to fall a few degrees below freezing meaning it is cold enough to freeze the cream or milk into ice cream.

Two children in a kitchen shaking bags of ice to make ice cream

Three spoonfuls of different flavoured ice cream (chocolate, ice cream and strawberry) being held above bags if ice cream.

This ice cream science experiment is so fun, making ice cream in a bag is the perfect activity on a hot day.

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: New Zealand

Keyword: ice cream in a bag, ice cream in a bag with milk, ice cream in a bag for kids, ice cream kitchen science

Servings: servings

Calories: 441kcal

RATE THIS RECIPE

5 from 1 vote

Equipment

1 small zip lock bag
1 large zip lock bag (or large container with a leak proof lid)

Ingredients

½ cup cream
1 Tablespoon icing sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
3-4 cups ice cubes
¼ cup salt

Optional flavorings

1 Tablespoon Strawberry puree
1 Tablespoon Blueberry puree
2 teaspoons cooca powder

Instructions

In the small zip lock bag (sandwich size) place the cream, icing sugar, vanilla and optional flavorings if using).
Remove excess air from the bag and seal closed.
In the large plastic bag or container add the ice and salt., plus the sealed bag of ice cream ingredients. Seal the large bag keeping air in it so that you can shake the ice around easily
Shake vigorusly until the ice cream freezes and gains a consistency similar to soft-serve ice cream.
Enjoy!

Notes

Always remember the salt, the experiment will not work without it
When you open the bag of ice cream be careful that none of the very salty water drips in!
Sprinkles: Add a few sprinkles or chocolate chips to the vanilla ice cream for even more fun
Cream: The ice cream will work with full-cream milk as well
Icing sugar: Honey or maple syrup will work too.
Salt: Any salt is fine to use but it is essential for this recipe to work. The salt reduces the melting point of ice allowing the temperature of the ice water in the outer bag to fall a few degrees below freezing meaning it is cold enough to freeze the cream or milk into ice cream. If you try this experiment without ice you will find it won't work.
Strawberry Puree Recipe
Blueberry Puree Recipe

Nutrition