How to Make Homemade Ice Cream in a Coffee Can
The Chinese invented ice cream thousands of years ago. Since then other peoples have developed the frozen dessert in all its variations. It is easy to make your own version of this favorite summer treat at home using a few simple ingredients. Get your family together for a fun activity with delicious results. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Small 1 lb. coffee can with lid
- Large 2 lb. coffee can with lid
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 cups of half-and-half
- 1 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- I/2 cup rock salt (also known as "halite")
- Duct tape
- Enough crushed ice to fill the large coffee can twice
Instructions
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How to Make Homemade Ice Cream in a Coffee Can
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1
Wash and rinse out both coffee cans. Allow them to dry.
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2
Combine the sugar, half and half and vanilla extract in the small coffee can. Place the lid on the small can making sure it is completely snapped on all around the rim. Tape the lid securely with duct tape.
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3
Set the smaller can full of ingredients inside the larger 2 lb. coffee can. Layer rock salt and ice all around the smaller can starting with the ice. Put the lid on the large can and tape it closed with duct tape.
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4
Shake the can vigorously for 15 minutes. Open the large can; replace the melting ice with more ice as needed. Re-tape the lid and continuing shaking the can another 15 minutes. The shaking is an important step. During the shaking the salt melts the ice and lowers its freezing temperature. This lowered temperature creates conditions which allow the ingredients in the small can to freeze to a smooth texture instead of into a hard inedible lump like freezing it in a regular freezer would do.
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5
Once frozen, open both cans and transfer your ice cream to a dessert dish. Enjoy.
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1
Tips & Warnings
If your ice cream is not thick enough after 30 minutes of shaking, place the can in the freezer for a few moments.
To make ice cream flavors besides basic vanilla, try adding three teaspoons of your favorite instant pudding mix, chocolate syrup or 1/3 cup of your favorite fruit.
Make your ice cream with a friend. You can share the time needed for shaking the cans
and make a fun memory as well.
If using coffee cans that were opened with a can opener, avoid cuts by making sure there are no jagged edges around the rim.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Comstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images
