A Cool Chemistry Treat:
Have you ever wanted to whip up your own ice cream without needing a fancy machine or a trip to the store? With just a few common household items and some basic chemistry, you can create your own delicious frozen treat in less than 10 minutes!
Ice cream is a mixture made up of multiple substances, and making it is easier than you might think. All it takes is a few ingredients, a little shaking, and some science.
What You’ll Need:
- Heavy whipping cream
- Sweetened condensed milk (14 ounces, chilled)
- Flavor extract (like vanilla or strawberry)
- Ice
- Salt
- Two ziplock bags (one large, one smaller)
- A towel (optional but helpful)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Whip the Cream
Pour 500 mL of heavy whipping cream into a mixing bowl. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat the cream until it becomes soft and fluffy. - Add Flavor
Mix in one tablespoon of your chosen extract. Vanilla is a popular and simple choice, but feel free to get creative with flavors like mint or strawberry. - Mix in the Sweetened Condensed Milk
Add a full can (14 ounces) of chilled sweetened condensed milk. The cold temperature helps give the ice cream a smooth and creamy texture. - Bag It and Freeze It
Pour your mixture into a smaller ziplock bag, seal it tightly, and place it inside a larger ziplock bag filled with ice and salt. The salt lowers the freezing point of ice, helping the mixture freeze quickly. Wrap the bag in a towel to protect your hands and shake it vigorously for about five minutes. - Serve and Enjoy
Once the mixture thickens and turns into ice cream, remove it from the bag and dig in! You can add toppings like sprinkles, chocolate chips, or even gummy bears.
Final Thoughts:
I had a great time making ice cream during a classroom activity with my classmates. It’s a fun and educational way to learn about mixtures and freezing points, and it’s something I’d definitely do again. Next time, I think I’ll try strawberry flavor with gummy bear toppings!