Craving the creamy delight of soft serve ice cream but don’t have an ice cream machine? You’re in for a treat! This Homemade Soft Serve ice cream recipe is unbelievably quick and easy, requiring no special equipment and ready to devour in just about 5 minutes. Believe it or not, the magic of ice cream in a bag has been around for over a century, with mentions dating back to the early 1900s in publications like Popular Mechanics in 1907. This method, perfect for getting kids involved in the kitchen, transforms simple ingredients into a frozen dessert through the power of shaking and a little bit of science. If you love easy, no-fuss frozen treats, you might also want to check out our no-churn ice cream recipes for more inspiration.
Metal Bowl with Scoops of Soft Serve Ice Cream in It with Sprinkles and a Spoon on a White Counter.
Essential Ingredients for Your Homemade Soft Serve
Let’s break down what makes this homemade soft serve recipe work and how each ingredient contributes to that perfect creamy texture.
Heavy Cream: The star of the show when it comes to creamy ice cream is heavy cream, also known as heavy whipping cream. Its high-fat content is crucial for that rich, smooth, and luxurious soft serve texture we all love. The fat molecules prevent large ice crystals from forming, resulting in a delightfully creamy scoop. For those looking to lighten it up slightly, you could experiment with half-and-half or whole milk. However, be aware that substituting with lower-fat options will alter the final consistency, making it less thick and creamy.
Milk: Following the same principle as heavy cream, whole milk is our top choice for the richest and creamiest homemade soft serve. The higher fat content in whole milk contributes to a smoother, more decadent ice cream. Using lower-fat milk will result in a less thick and less creamy end product. For the best homemade soft serve, stick with whole milk.
Granulated Sugar: Sugar isn’t just about sweetness in this recipe; it also plays a role in the texture of your homemade soft serve. Granulated sugar dissolves easily, ensuring even distribution throughout the mixture. Beyond sweetness, sugar lowers the freezing point of the mixture, which is essential for achieving that soft serve consistency rather than a solid block of ice cream.
Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla extract provides that classic ice cream flavor. Use a good quality vanilla extract for the best taste in your homemade soft serve. You can also experiment with other extracts like almond, peppermint, or even citrus for different flavor profiles.
Salt: Salt might seem like an unusual ingredient in ice cream, but it’s absolutely necessary for making homemade soft serve using the bag method. Salt is key to lowering the temperature of the ice bath enough to freeze the cream mixture. Without salt, the ice simply won’t get cold enough, and you’ll end up with a milky slush rather than ice cream. Rock salt, often called ice cream salt, is traditionally used, but kosher salt is a readily available and effective alternative. You can also use Himalayan pink salt or Maldon sea salt. If using rock salt or Himalayan pink salt, double the amount specified for kosher salt in the recipe. If you opt for Maldon sea salt, use the same amount as you would for kosher salt.
Close up of Soft Serve Ice Cream in a Plastic Bag After Shaking it in a Salt and Ice Bag.
Get Creative: Mix-Ins for Your Homemade Soft Serve
One of the joys of homemade soft serve is the ability to customize it to your heart’s content! Before you start shaking, or even after you’ve achieved that perfect soft serve texture, you can incorporate a variety of mix-ins to create your dream dessert. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Chocolate Lovers: Chocolate chips (mini or regular), chunks of your favorite chocolate bar, brownie pieces, chocolate syrup swirled in.
- Fruity Delights: Fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries), diced peaches or mangoes, fruit preserves or jams.
- Cookie Crumbles: Crushed Oreo cookies, chocolate chip cookies, gingersnaps, or any cookie you love.
- Nutty Additions: Chopped pecans, walnuts, almonds, or a swirl of peanut butter or Nutella.
- Spice It Up: A dash of cinnamon, nutmeg, or even a pinch of chili powder for a surprising kick.
Feel free to experiment with combinations! Imagine a chocolate homemade soft serve with crushed Oreos and chocolate chips, or a vanilla base with fresh strawberries and a hint of balsamic glaze. The possibilities are endless! Don’t forget classic toppings like chocolate syrup and caramel sauce for extra indulgence.
Can You Double This Homemade Soft Serve Recipe?
While the allure of more homemade soft serve is strong, doubling this specific recipe is not recommended. Attempts to double the recipe using the bag method have shown that it takes significantly longer to freeze, and the resulting ice cream doesn’t always reach the desired solid soft serve consistency. Instead of doubling, it’s best to make multiple individual batches. The good news is that you can reuse the ice and salt mixture for subsequent batches, making it easy to whip up homemade soft serve for a crowd – just make them in stages.
Spoon Taking a Bite out of a Metal Dish with Soft Serve Ice Cream.
Storing Your Homemade Soft Serve (If You Must!)
This recipe is designed to make approximately one cup of homemade soft serve, which is perfect for immediate enjoyment. Soft serve is at its absolute best – softest and creamiest – right after it’s made. However, if you find yourself with leftovers (though unlikely!), you can store them in the freezer. Keep in mind that freezing will harden the homemade soft serve, and it won’t be quite as creamy when you’re ready to enjoy it later. For the ultimate homemade soft serve experience, we recommend making it fresh and enjoying it right away!
Scoop of Soft Serve Ice Cream in a Metal Bowl on a White Counter with Spoon Nearby.
Quick and Easy Homemade Soft Serve Ice Cream Recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
This recipe delivers quick and easy homemade soft serve ice cream that’s smooth, creamy, and vanilla-flavored, all without any fancy equipment. All it takes is a bit of arm power, and you’ll be savoring delicious homemade soft serve in minutes!
Ingredients
- ½ cup (119 g) heavy cream
- ½ cup (122.5 g) whole milk
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups ice
- ⅓ cup (96 g) kosher salt (can also use Himalayan or rock salt – double the amount if using these)
Instructions
-
In a sealable plastic bag (quart-size is ideal), combine the heavy cream, whole milk, and vanilla extract.
Adding Milk and Heavy Cream to a Plastic Bag to Make Soft Serve Ice Cream. -
Add the granulated sugar to the bag. Seal the bag tightly, ensuring it’s completely closed to prevent leaks. Shake for a few moments until the sugar is evenly distributed and fully dissolved into the liquid mixture.
Adding Sugar to a Bag Filled with Heavy Cream to Make Soft Serve Ice Cream. -
Open the bag briefly to remove as much excess air as possible, then reseal it securely. This minimizes air inside which can insulate the mixture and slow down freezing.
-
In a separate, larger resealable plastic bag (gallon-size works well), pour in the ice and kosher salt.
Ice and Salt in a Bag before Adding the Cream Mixture Bag to Make Soft Serve Ice Cream. -
Place the smaller bag containing the cream mixture inside the larger bag of ice and salt. Make sure both bags are firmly sealed to prevent any salt water from contaminating your ice cream mixture.
Cream Mixture in a Bag Inside a Bag of Ice and Salt to Make Soft Serve Ice Cream. -
Now for the fun part – shaking! Vigorously shake the bag for approximately 5 minutes over a sink or in a safe outdoor space. You might want to wear gloves or wrap the bag in a towel as it will get very cold. The salt lowers the freezing point of ice, creating a super-cold environment that freezes the cream mixture into homemade soft serve.
-
Carefully remove the bag of homemade soft serve from the ice bag.
-
Check the consistency of your homemade soft serve. If it has reached your desired thickness, it’s ready to serve! For a slightly firmer ice cream, continue shaking for another minute or two.
Close up of Soft Serve Ice Cream in a Plastic Bag After Shaking it in a Salt and Ice Bag. -
Scoop or pipe your fresh homemade soft serve into bowls or cones and enjoy immediately!
Video
[Video Placeholder – Consider embedding a relevant video here]
Recipe Notes
Can I Double This Recipe? As mentioned earlier, doubling this recipe is not recommended for the best results. It’s better to make individual batches if you need more homemade soft serve. You can reuse the ice and salt mixture for subsequent batches.
Nutrition
Serving: 2 servings | Calories: 344 kcal
Course: Dessert
Keyword: Homemade Soft Serve Ice Cream, Easy Ice Cream Recipe
Servings: 1 cup
Calories: 344
Author: Amanda Rettke – iambaker.net
Did you make this recipe?
Thank you for trying my recipe! Did you capture the moment? Share your photos on Instagram! Tag me @iambaker and use the hashtag #YouAreBaker.
What the Test Kitchen Says: Real Reviews
Autumn
“What a fun way to make soft serve ice cream at home! Just shake the bag and watch the magic happen. I think this would be a cool thing to do with your kiddos too!”
Elizabeth
“This is a fun treat to make! Plus, it’s creamy and delicious. The final product is like a reward for all the shaking you get to do for your arm workout. I can’t wait to make this a few times this summer.”
Bella
“You can’t go wrong with traditional vanilla ice cream! All you have to do is shake up the ingredients, and now you have homemade soft serve! This is a fun way to treat yourself or your guests with a cold and delicious treat in no time.”
Rachael
“Such an easy vanilla ice cream, personal size, and done in only 5 minutes! Minimal ingredients most people have on hand too, try it out if you crave some homemade soft serve ice cream!”
Selena
“Just a perfect, vanilla ice cream that is ready to eat in no time! I love that you don’t need any special tools for this either!”
