Chemical Engineering Activity: Let’s Make Ice Cream!

Chemical engineering is cool, but it's even cooler when making ice cream!
stock photo of scooping chocolate ice cream
[social_warfare]

Try different ingredients and different mixing methods to create homemade ice cream in the fastest possible time.

Materials Needed:

  • Sealable plastic bags like Ziploc-brand (one large and one small)
  • Ice cubes
  • Salt
  • Heavy cream or half-and-half
  • Sugar
  • Vanilla extract
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Kitchen thermometer
  • Added ingredients, like sprinkles, chocolate chips, mini-marshmallows, etc. (optional)
  • Timer
  • Mittens, oven mitts, or towel

The Challenge:

Create homemade ice cream in the fastest possible time.

Success:

The ice cream is created in less than 10 minutes from start to finish.

Here are some tips:

First, think through your experiment plan. How many batches of ice cream do you want to make? It might be good to make one plain batch and then a second batch with added ingredients.

Second, shaking/agitating the mixture is important to this process. What ways can you shake or agitate the cream mixture so that it cools down quickly?

Instructions:

  1. Gather the materials.
  2. Mix your ice cream base: In a small bowl, combine 1 cup of heavy cream or half-and-half, 1/2 cup of sugar, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
  3. Prepare the ice bath: Fill the large plastic bag halfway with ice cubes. Add about 1/2 cup of salt to the bag.
  4. Pour the ice cream base into the small plastic bag. Seal the bag tightly.
  5. Put the small plastic bag into the large plastic bag with the ice and salt mixture. Seal the large bag tightly, ensuring no salt or ice can escape.
  6. Shake and mix: Shake the bag vigorously for at least four minutes. The ice and salt mixture absorbs heat from the cream mixture, which turns into a solid ice cream. Keep track of how long it takes to turn into ice cream. Can you think up ways to speed up this process?
    CAUTION: The bag with ice will get very cold. Use mittens, oven mitts, or a towel to protect your hands while shaking the bag.
  7. Check the temperature: Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature of the ice cream mixture. It should be around 18°F (-8°C) when it’s ready.
  8. Starting over from the beginning, try another batch with added ingredients. Did it take more time or less time than the plain batch?
  9. When your ice cream experiments are completed, congratulations! You are now thinking like a chemical engineer! Enjoy your tasty treat!!

Share your creation with us by posting a photo on Instagram, Facebook, or X and tagging us @SWENext.

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