Want to do something REALLY fun and SUPER simple with your kids or grandkids this summer?
Make homemade ice cream!
The process is very similar to our homemade butter recipe, but not as much shaking — and a little added sugar!
It only takes a few minutes (plus freeze time), it requires no special equipment, and our kids say it tastes like Culver’s Custard — which is a HUUUUGE compliment!
It’s the perfect treat for a hot summer day… just make sure you plan a few hours ahead so the cream has time to freeze!
Homemade Ice Cream
This delicious summer treat only takes a few minutes to make, it requires no special equipment, and my kids say it's as good as Culver's frozen Custard!!
Ingredients
- 2 c. cream, divided
- 2 T. sugar, divided
- 2 t. vanilla extract, divided
- 4 pinches of sea salt
- 4 half-pint mason jars with tight fitting lids
- 4 wet paper towels
Instructions
- Pour 1/2 c. cream, 1/2 T. sugar, 1/2 t. vanilla, and 1 pinch sea salt into 4 half-pint mason jars.
- Cover tightly and shake for 5 minutes.
- Wrap each jar in a wet paper towel.
- Place jars in freezer for 3 hours, or until slightly firmer than soft-serve ice cream
- Top with desired toppings, eat, and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1/2 cupAmount Per Serving Calories 436Total Fat 43gSaturated Fat 27gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 13gCholesterol 135mgSodium 165mgCarbohydrates 10gFiber 0gSugar 10gProtein 3g
Nutritional information is approximate and does not account for additional ingredients or added toppings.
Our kids thought it was SO fun to choose their own toppings (Simon had crushed Oreo, M&M’s, Brownie Brittle, Chocolate Syrup, AND Mini Chocolate Chips — so he was basically just eating candy!)
You can also make this on a larger scale by using a larger mason jar for shaking, or simply mix everything in a stand mixer (I did this over the weekend). Pour the thickened cream into a larger glass food storage container and wrap with wet paper towels.
Of course, the individual serving sizes are really fun for kids — we used half pint jars for this post and they are the PERFECT size!
We certainly won’t indulge in this treat every day of the week, but I’m positive we’ll make homemade ice cream at least a few more times this summer!
What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?
Visit my virtual recipe box for more simple, delicious, family friendly recipes!
Jane Austin says
There is another fun way for kids to make ice cream. You use two zip lock bags. A quart size and a sandwich bag size. Put the 1/2 cup cream and other ingredients in the smaller bag and seal it up well. Place ice and a little rock salt in the larger bag, place the small bag in the large bag with the ice/salt. Seal the large bag. Then gently mold and squeeze the bags till you have soft serve ice cream. Takes 10-15 minutes or so. Then eat it out of the bag or pour into bowls. You do have more of a mess when you are done, but kids seem to like the process.
Andrea says
Cool — thanks for sharing!
denise HOSNER says
I wondered if it would work in rubbermaid containers….I don’t have any little pint size masons!
Andrea says
I honestly don’t know as I haven’t tried it. Everything I’ve read says to use glass… but you could always try it with a small batch. The worst thing that could happen is that it wouldn’t freeze well and you’d end up with icy ice cream (not the end of the world!)
Erin says
What a great idea! Going to do this with my kids this weekend. I laughed at Simon’s toppings b/c that’s exactly what my kids would do. Thank you for the great posts.
Andrea says
yes… ALLLLLL the toppings!
Debbie says
This would be a fun and delicious activity! I’ll have to try it.
Andrea says
definitely give it a try!
Johanna says
Also amazing: two ingredient ice cream. Whip 500 grams of heavy cream until soft peaks. Mix in 400 grams of sweetened condensed milk. Freeze. Done. You can of course add any flavorings you like, I tend to make it into vanilla ice cream by adding vanilla extract. Give it a try if you haven’t already! It’s the smoothest, most luxuriously textured ice cream I have ever tasted, and it’s my go-to dessert for impressing people.
Andrea says
oh wow — that sounds even easier than mine!
Barbara says
Sounds yummy! How long would you mix it in a stand mixer? Till stiff peaks? I am curious what the wet paper towel adds to the process?
Andrea says
I do it for 5 minutes. And yes, I don’t know the exact reason for the wet paper towels and glass containers, but it works better and freezes faster that way!