Ice Cream in a Bag

Ice Cream in a Bag

If you thought you couldn’t make ice cream because you don’t have an ice cream maker, think again! All you need are two seal-able plastic bags – one larger, one smaller – some ice, milk and/or cream, and salt. After a 10-minute-“shaking” workout, you have ice cream, which is pretty exciting stuff.

1/2 cup whole milk
1/2 cup heavy cream 
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract or 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder
3 cups ice
1/3 cup kosher salt
Toppings of your choice, optional


1. In a quart Ziploc bag, combine milk, cream, sugar, and vanilla extract (for vanilla ice cream) or cocoa powder for (chocolate). Push out excess air and seal.
2. Into a gallon Ziploc bag, combine the ice and salt.
3. Place the small bag inside the bigger bag and shake vigorously until the mixture has turned to ice cream, 7 to 10 minutes.
4. Remove from bag and enjoy with your favorite ice cream toppings.

Note: To make peppermint or chocolate-peppermint ice cream, add 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract. Experiment with other flavors – lemon extract or lemon zest, orange or almond extract, coffee grinds (for your parents!) And if you don’t have cream, substitute it with 1/2 cup milk of your choosing.