I love when you can combine science with a delicious edible treat. So I was thrilled to discover a STEM activity that involves making ice cream in a bag. It seems like magic, but there's fascinating science happening inside the bag! The salt and ice create a solution that gets cold enough to freeze your milk, turning it into creamy ice cream.
The recipe below for ice cream in a bag makes two small servings. Need more? Simply double your ingredients. This basic recipe makes vanilla ice cream, but you can easily add powdered chocolate for a tasty chocolate variation. Feel free to experiment with other ingredients to create your favorite flavors! It's a fun and educational way to enjoy a sweet treat.
Ice Cream in a Bag
What You Need:
- 1 cup any kind of milk or half-and-half
- 2 Tbsp. sugar
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 3 cups of ice - doesn't need to be exact
- 1/3 cup salt
- a sandwich-sized plastic resealable bag
- a gallon-sized plastic resealable bag
- Gloves
Directions:
- Mix milk, sugar, and vanilla in the small bag. Squeeze out the air and seal.
- Mix ice and salt in the large plastic bag.
- Place the small bag into the big bag.
- Shake hard for 5-7 minutes or until the milk mixture is frozen. Use gloves because the bag will get very cold!
Grab a spoon and let's eat!
