Go Back
–+ servings
Scoop of Soft Serve Ice Cream in a Metal Bowl on a White Counter with Spoon Nearby.
Print Recipe

Quick and Easy Soft Serve Ice Cream

Quick and Easy Soft Serve Ice Cream is smooth and creamy vanilla ice cream made with no special equipment and ready in about 5 minutes! All you need is a little arm strength, and then the ice cream will be ready to enjoy!
Prep Time10 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Course: Dessert
Keyword: Quick and Easy Soft Serve Ice Cream
Servings: 1 cup
Calories: 344kcal
Author: Amanda Rettke--iambaker.net

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

Instructions

  • To a sealable plastic bag, add the heavy cream, whole milk, and vanilla extract.
    Adding Milk and Heavy Cream to a Plastic Bag to Make Soft Serve Ice Cream.
  • Add in the sugar. Now seal the bag (double-check to make sure it is completely closed) and shake for a moment until the sugar is evenly distributed and has dissolved completely.
    Adding Sugar to a Bag Filled with Heavy Cream to Make Soft Serve Ice Cream.
  • Open the bag, remove as much excess air as possible, and seal again.
  • To a separate larger resealable plastic bag, add the ice and salt.
    Ice and Salt in a Bag before Adding the Cream Mixture Bag to Make Soft Serve Ice Cream.
  • Place the bag with the cream mixture inside the ice bag, making sure both bags are sealed tightly.
    Cream Mixture in a Bag Inside a Bag of Ice and Salt to Make Soft Serve Ice Cream.
  • Shake the bag vigorously over a sink for about 5 minutes. (You may want to wear gloves or wrap the bag with towels so your hands won't get cold.) The salt will lower the temperature, causing the mixture to freeze and turn into a soft-serve ice cream.
  • Carefully remove the ice cream bag from the ice bag.
  • Check the consistency of the soft serve. If it has reached the desired thickness, it is ready to serve. Shake a little longer for a harder ice cream.
    Close up of Soft Serve Ice Cream in a Plastic Bag After Shaking it in a Salt and Ice Bag.
  • Scoop or pipe the soft serve into bowls or cones and enjoy immediately.

Video

Notes

Can I Double This Recipe?
The short answer is no. When I tried doubling the recipe using the method below, it took a bit longer and the ice cream didn't get as solid as pictured above. You can make multiple batches though, and even re-use the ice & salt mixture.

Nutrition

Serving: 2servings | Calories: 344kcal