Well, even though I am not ready for it, the North Carolina summer heat has made an appearance. I guess Mother Nature didn’t get my request to extend Spring this year. Now, I know it’s not Texas or Arizona hot, but I’m a shade-loving, redhead so anything over the low to mid 80s is too hot for me. Definitely, ice cream weather!
With five girls I can’t keep store-bought ice cream in the house. The minute the container is open the ice cream is gone. I’ve tried hiding it, but they always find my stash.
On a particularly hot day when we lived in Virginia, a neighbor introduced this ten-minute ice cream recipe. It’s delicious and surprisingly simple to make. In fact, it’s so simple I don’t even need to supervise my girls when they make it.
Score one for mom!
An added bonus, it’s much healthier (and less expensive) than the stuff you buy in the grocery store. Just three basic ingredients: Half & Half, vanilla, and sugar.
Ten-Minute No Cook Ice Cream
You can substitute/add other flavors to change up the recipe. My kids love to mix in things: M&Ms, crushed Butterfingers, chocolate chips, sprinkles, you name it!
Ten Minute No Cook Strawberry Ice Cream
A neighbor introduced this ten minute ice cream recipe to us while we were living in Virginia. It's delicious and surprisingly simple to make. An added bonus, it's much healthier (and less expensive) than the stuff you buy in the grocery store. Just three basic ingredients: Half & Half, vanilla and sugar.
Ingredients
Ice Cream:
- 1 cup Half & Half (heavy cream or milk will also work, but I think the Half & Half gives it the best flavor)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 heaping tablespoons sugar
- 2 fresh strawberries, chopped (optional)
Ice Bath:
- 4 cups of ice – crushed is better but cubes will work (enough to fill the gallon Ziploc bag about half way)
- 1 small (sandwich) Ziploc bag
- 1 medium (quart) Ziploc FREEZER bag (Use the freezer bags here because they are less likely to be punctured or leak while you are shaking the mixture.)
- 1 large (gallon) Ziploc FREEZER bag (you can also use a coffee can or other round container with a tight fitting lid)
- 1/2 cup Kosher or rock/ice cream salt (table salt will also work in a pinch)
Instructions
- Combine the Half & Half, vanilla, sugar, and strawberries in the small bag and seal it tightly, getting out as much air as you can.
- Place the small bag into the medium bag and seal it tightly, again with no air in the bag (double bagging is not necessary, but it helps to prevent leaks and keep the salt out of your ice cream).
- Place the salt and ice in the large freezer bag, then place the medium freezer bag inside and seal the bag tightly (or use a coffee can, etc.)
- Put on gloves or wrap the bag in a towel and shake continuously until the mixture hardens (about 10 minutes). If using a coffee can/plastic container have the kids roll the container back and forth on the floor.
- Carefully open the large bag and take the medium bag out, check the firmness of the ice cream. If it's too soft place back in the bag/container and continue shaking for 5 more minutes.
- Once the ice cream is at the proper firmness, remove the small bag, open and enjoy your homemade ice cream! (rinse off and keep the freezer bags to use again the next time you make ice cream).
Notes
Omit the strawberries to have plain vanilla ice cream, or substitute with your favorite fruit, candy, or chocolate chips.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size:
2 servingsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 209Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 8.7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5.3gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 50mgCarbohydrates: 18.3gFiber: 0.2gSugar: 12.9gProtein: 3.7g
Flavor Variations:
Chocolate ice cream: add 1 teaspoon of chocolate syrup and decrease the vanilla to 1/4 teaspoon.
Chocolate chip mint ice cream: Replace vanilla extract with 1/4 teaspoon mint extract and add 1/4 cup of mini chocolate chips.
S’mores ice cream: substitute 2 tablespoons marshmallow cream for the strawberries. Add crushed graham crackers to the bowl with a drizzle of hot fudge sauce.
Peach ice cream: substitute chopped fresh or frozen peaches for the strawberries.
Turtle ice cream: omit the strawberries and vanilla, add 2 tablespoons caramel sauce, 1 tablespoon semisweet chocolate morsels, and 1/2 tablespoon toasted, chopped pecans.
Non-dairy ice cream: Replace the Half & Half with your favorite milk substitute. I used Califia Farms Coconut Almond Milk blend. It makes a delicious, lightly coconut flavored ice cream. I added a tablespoon of chocolate syrup for a decadent treat!
Experiment with other flavors by replacing the vanilla extract with 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of lemon or almond extracts. Really, the possibilities are endless.
What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
Oh yum! We used to make something like this when I was little. I am going to make this tonight!!
My girls want to make this right now! I wonder how it would work with soy milk?
So I’m one of those weirdos who doesn’t like ice cream, but my husband is a fanatic! I know he would love this.
Need to try this ice cream.
Homemade ice cream in 10 mins?!? What kind of sorcery is this???
Oh yum! I am so making this. Off to the store now.
What a fun thing to do in the summer!
That looks delicious and so easy. My son would love to make this.
Love me some ho’made ice cream!
I remember making ice cream like this in chemistry class! So much fun! Love the add-ins, too.
Mmmmmm! Now I want ice cream. And cheese. Don’t mind me I’m pregnant.
I love this!! So easy and fun!! I am getting hungry now!
This reminds me of the homemade ice cream my dad would make every summer. We had blackberry bushes and would make fresh blackberry ice cream. But we had a hand crank. I think rolling back and forth would be much easier!
Oh yum!
We made this in Girl Scouts when I was little. Called it coffee can ice cream because we rolled the coffee can around to “churn” the ice cream. So many fun memories!
It’s so hot here! This would be great to make right now.
That looks really good. Thanks for sharing!
This looks amazing!!!!! I am so making some ice cream this weekend!!
Will have to make this with the kids!!
Mmmmm ice cream. Get in my belly now!
What a great idea! This would be a fun activity to do at camp.
We don’t do dairy… so I LOVE that you included the Califia Toasted Coconut Almond Milk version. It sounds delicious!
Thank you for including a non-dairy option!
Well, this recipe look amazing! All of the flavor variations, actually. These will sure make our summer a lot more delicious!
Brilliant and fun way to make ice cream in just minutes, I love that it requires no cooking or special equipment, making it perfect for kids and adults alike. The shaking process adds an interactive element that makes the whole experience even more enjoyable—plus, it’s a great way to learn a little food science while making a delicious treat! I also appreciate the tip about double-bagging to prevent leaks and ensuring the salt stays out of the ice cream. Can’t wait to try different mix-ins like chocolate chips, caramel swirls, or fresh berries. Definitely a must-try for a quick, homemade dessert.