Soft Ice Cream

Creamy, refreshing soft-serve style ice cream made right at home — smooth, airy, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious, with no ice-cream maker required.

🍦 Description

Soft ice cream (soft-serve) is lighter than traditional frozen ice cream thanks to extra air incorporated during freezing. This easy homemade version uses simple ingredients to create that silky, fluffy texture — perfect for cones, cups, or topping fruity desserts.

📝 Ingredients for Soft Ice Cream

• 2 cups (480 ml) heavy whipping cream

• 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk

• ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar

• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract

• ¼ tsp fine salt

• Optional: 1 tbsp milk powder (for extra creaminess)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Mix Base
   In a large mixing bowl whisk together whole milk, sugar, and salt until sugar dissolves. Stir in heavy cream and vanilla extract (plus milk powder if using).

2. Chill
   Cover and refrigerate the mixture for 2–3 hours until very cold.
   (Colder base = fluffier soft ice cream.)

3. Whip Air
   Using a hand or stand mixer, beat the chilled mixture on medium-high for 4–5 minutes, until it becomes slightly thick and airy (like melted whipped cream).

4. Freeze & Stir
   Pour into a shallow freezer-safe container. Freeze for 3–4 hours, whisking vigorously every 30 minutes to break up ice crystals and incorporate more air.

5. Serve Soft
   Once thick, fluffy, and soft-serve-like, scoop or pipe into cones. Enjoy immediately or freeze up to 1 hour longer for firmer texture.

🍽️ Servings

Makes 6 servings (roughly ½–¾ cup each)

⚖️ Nutritional Information (per serving, estimated)

• Calories: 290

• Protein: 3 g

• Fat: 18 g

• Carbs: 30 g

• Sugar: 28 g

• Fiber: 0 g

💡 Notes

• Milk powder gives a smoother mouthfeel but is optional.

• For best swirl-able piping texture, use a freezer bag with a snipped corner or a piping bag.

• Don’t skip the “stir every 30 minutes” step — this mimics a soft-serve machine by adding air (called overrun).

👍 Tips

• Want chocolate soft serve? Add 3 tbsp sifted cocoa powder and a splash more milk.

• Fruit swirl? Fold in pureed strawberries or mangoes after whipping.

• Ultra-soft texture: Serve as soon as it’s thickened rather than fully frozen.

🌟 Benefits

• Homemade and preservative-free

• Customizable flavors and sweetness

• Fun activity for kids and families

• No special ice-cream machine required

❓Q & A

Q: Can I use low-fat milk?
A: You can, but the result will be less creamy — whole milk and cream yield the classic soft texture.

Q: How long will this keep?
A: Best served fresh. You can store up to 1 week, but it becomes firmer like regular ice cream.

Q: Can I use a blender instead of whisking?
A: Yes, a high-speed blender can whip in air — blend the chilled mixture until slightly frothy before freezing.