Making ice cream in a freezer bag
Ice cream lovers have long been searching for the perfect method to keep their frozen treats creamy and scoopable straight from the freezer. One popular life hack that has been circulating on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram involves wrapping ice cream in a freezer bag before placing it in the freezer. However, a closer look at this claim reveals that it may not be as effective as advertised.
When ice cream is placed in a freezer bag and frozen for several hours, it remains just as hard as ice cream that was left in the freezer without a freezer bag. While wrapping ice cream in a freezer bag can help protect it from air and moisture, which can cause freezer burn and ice crystal growth, it does not necessarily ensure a creamy texture.
The key to creamy ice cream lies in minimizing large ice crystal formation during freezing and storage. Small ice crystals keep ice cream smooth, and this can be encouraged by fast freezing and airtight packaging that limits temperature fluctuations and moisture exposure. Freezer bags, especially if sealed tightly with air pushed out, are effective at creating this protective environment. However, they do not provide a long-term solution for maintaining creamy ice cream.
Additional factors enhancing creaminess include rapid freezing or shaking during freezing, avoiding refreezing, and using tight plastic wrap or freezer bags to protect from freezer burn and moisture loss. For instance, homemade ice cream methods that involve wrapping the mixture tightly in bags and shaking with ice and salt to lower the freezing point and speed the process result in creamy texture.
Unfortunately, the life hack of using a freezer bag for creamy ice cream does not live up to its promise. Waiting for the ice cream to warm up a bit at room temperature is necessary to make it easier to scoop. Using a knife instead of a spoon is also recommended when dealing with hard ice cream, as it is easier and allows for prompt return of the ice cream bowl to the freezer.
While the freezer bag method for keeping ice cream creamy has been tested and found to be ineffective, it is important to note that these life hacks require few steps and are not expensive. The sun is currently blazing from the sky, and it is a reminder that not everything we find on the internet is accurate or reliable. As always, it is essential to approach life hacks with a critical eye and consider the source of the information.
To achieve a creamier ice cream texture, it's necessary to focus on minimizing large ice crystal formation, which can be done by fast freezing and using airtight packaging. Although wrapping ice cream in freezer bags can protect it from freezer burn, it does not ensure a creamy texture. Instead, additional factors such as rapid freezing or shaking, avoiding refreezing, and using tight plastic wrap or freezer bags can help create a smoother ice cream.
