Are you inspired by local ice cream spots to make your own homemade ice cream? Here are some easy and fun recipes you can make at home with the kids.
Easy Coffee Can Ice Cream
1.) Find 2 clean coffee cans with lids; one can smaller than the other, such as a 1lb can and a 3lb can.
2.) In the smaller can, mix 1 cup cold milk or half & half, ¾ cup sugar and 1 tsp. vanilla. For chocolate ice cream, add 1 tablespoon chocolate syrup or 2 tablespoons cocoa.
3.) Seal the can lid and reinforce with duct tape. Place can inside the larger can and pack crushed or small cubes of ice and rock salt or water softener pellets around the smaller can. You can use 1 cup table salt if necessary.
4.) Seal the larger can well using duct tape.
5.) Have your children sit on the floor or a sidewalk and roll the can back and forth for 10 minutes.
6.) Open the large can and drain water.
7.) Remove the small can, wipe it dry, and open. Check to see if the ice cream is freezing while mixing and scraping the sides of the can. You may also add candy bits, crushed cookies or chopped nuts.
8.) Reseal the can, repack in the larger can with more ice and rock salt and continue to roll for another 8 to 10 minutes.
9.) Open and enjoy!
Another bonus to this method: the coffee can is perfect for storing the ice cream in the freezer. Recipe serves about 2-3 people.
Check out local ice cream shops offering up some yummy treats
Quick Ice Cream in a bag
1.) Find 1 pint-size (16 ounce) self-closing plastic sandwich bag, and a 1 gallon-size sandwich bag.
2.) Pour ½ cup milk, ¼ tsp. vanilla, and 1 tbsp. sugar into the small bag and seal.
3.) Fill the large bag half full of ice cubes or crushed ice and rock salt about several tablespoons full.
4.) Place the sealed small bag into the large bag and add more ice if necessary to loosely fill the bag.
5.) Seal the large bag and shake for about 5 minutes (It helps to wear gloves during this step).
6.) Pull the ice cream bag out of the ice, wipe it off, and enjoy!
This recipe serves about 1-2 people. If needed, it can be doubled, but any larger recipe would be heavy and difficult to handle. Find more recipes here