We Made Homemade Ice Cream In A Bag, And We've Lost All Chill (2024)

FAQs

What to do if homemade ice cream doesn't freeze? ›

It's as simple as this: If the freezer bowl that goes with your ice cream maker isn't cold (like, really cold), your ice cream is never going to freeze. → Follow this tip: In order for the machine to freeze the ice cream as it churns, it needs to be cold — like, totally and completely, rock-hard, ice cold.

Then, chill the ice cream base.

Transfer it to a heatproof bowl, cover, and chill for 2 hours or overnight.

Both sugar and alcohol lower the freezing point of water and keep the ice cream "softer" at lower temperatures. Too much sugar and the ice cream is too sweet. A little bit of alcohol goes a long way in lowering the freezing point though. One of my favourite ice cream recipes is Whisky and Honey Ice Cream.

My ice cream is icy. This is probably the most common problem with home made ice cream. And it's caused by large ice crystals forming in the mixture as it freezes. Large ice crystals are usually the result of either too much water in the mix or excessively long freezing time.

If your freezer is not cold, the problem may be caused by a broken condenser fan motor. The condenser fan draws cool air through the condenser and over your freezer's coils. If this fan is broken, your freezer's inner temperature will rise, and the compressor will overheat.

Adding thickening agents, such as egg yolks, cornstarch, gelatin, tapioca starch, or even Junket tablets, enhances the texture and elevates the overall ice cream experience. Remember, making homemade ice cream is as much an art as it is a science.

Many people over mix the ice cream, attempting to freeze it and get it super-chilled right in the machine. This is a big "don't," as overmixing will cause the ice cream to turn, well, icy. "Ice cream's optimal texture doesn't happen in the machine—it happens in the freezer," says Perry.

A cold base will help it freeze faster, which will result in a better texture. Chill it in the refrigerator for at least an hour before putting it in the ice cream freezer. You can even refrigerate it overnight. Adding a little alcohol to your ice cream base can help keep the texture softer.

Sugar, corn syrup or honey, as well as gelatin and commercial stabilizers, can all keep your ice cream at a softer consistency. Ice cream also stays softer when you store it in a shallow container, rather than a deep tub, and cover the surface of the ice cream with plastic wrap to keep ice crystals from forming.

How do you stabilize homemade ice cream? ›

The most common ones used in ice creams are guar gum, cellulose gum and carob bean gum. They are used to reduce ice crystal growth, deliver flavour cleanly, increase smoothness, body and creaminess and slow down melting. They also help hold the air bubble structure together and give the ice cream a better texture.

By adding a 30ml shot of vodka to the base of a 500ml ice cream recipe, the alcohol will become evenly incorporated into the mix, which will eliminate any chance of big crystal pockets or the ice cream setting as hard as a rock.

When frozen foods are exposed to cold, dry air, they get dehydrated. The moisture that leaves your ice cream mixes with the air and then refreezes on the surface of your treat. That's why it looks like there's frost on your ice cream; it's actually ice crystals created by the evaporated moisture.

There are several ways to keep your ice cream from freezing solid in the freezer. David Lebovitz, author of the book, The Perfect Scoop, recommends adding a few tablespoons of alcohol (such as a fruit liqueur to fruit-flavored ice cream, or vodka when you don't want an alcoholic flavor).

Try using less sugar and add milk powder and corn starch it'll thicken it up. Use ice cream science calculator to get your ratios correct. Almond milk has like 1% fat while heavy whipping cream has anywhere from 32%+.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, whip the cream until stiff peaks form. On low speed, mix in the condensed milk, vanilla, and any flavorings. Pour into a resealable container, cover the surface with plastic wrap, then seal. Freeze for at least 6 hours, or until firm.

Although you won't necessarily see it with the naked eye, the longer your ice cream churns, the more icy it becomes. This ruins the overall mouthfeel of the ice cream, making it more watery than creamy overall.