Nothing says “summer” like swimming, cookouts and homemade ice cream! Thanks to technology, and creative minds, it’s never been easier to make homemade ice cream. Whether you have an electric ice cream maker like the one here, or just a couple of hands, you can have your own, customized ice cream ready to enjoy in minutes.

One of our favorite ways to make ice cream for our family is to use Ziploc bags. There is zero mess and every family member gets to make whatever flavor they like! All you need is half and half, sugar, vanilla extract and your favorite ice cream flavors or fillings.

Simply add crushed ice and epsom salt to a gallon sized Ziploc bag. Place half and half, sugar (or other preferred sweetener), vanilla extract and fillings in a sandwich sized Ziploc bag. Put smaller bag inside of the large bag of ice and seal. Toss and mash until ice cream is firm. Spoon into serving bowl and enjoy!

Follow the recipe below to make your own ice cream in a bag. Let us know in the comments what flavor you’ll be making.

HOMEMADE ICE CREAM IN A BAG

  • Prep Time: 5 min
  • Persons: 1
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 cups half and half
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
  • optional fillings (chocolate, chocolate chips, chopped candy bars, caramel sauce, chopped berries)
  • 1/2 cup rock salt
  • 3 cups crushed ice
  • 1 gallon-size ziploc bag
  • 1 pint-size ziploc bag
  1. Instructions
  2. Put the ice in the gallon-sized ziploc bag. Sprinkle the rock salt over the ice. Set aside.
  3. Pour the half and half, sugar and vanilla into the small pint-size bag along with the vanilla and sugar. Add fillings,
    if desired. Seal the bag tightly.
  4. Place small bag inside of the large bag. Shake for 2 to 5 minutes or until ice cream is frozen.
  5. Spoon ice cream into a bowl or enjoy right out of the bag.