Materials
2 1/2 cups (625 ml) brown sugar 3 eggs3 bananas, mashed, optional 1 teaspoon (5 ml) salt1 pint (500 ml) whipping cream 1 quart (1 L) milk2 teaspoons (10 ml) vanilla 1 teaspoon (5 ml) almond flavoring
Pickling salt
Ice cream maker (4 quart or 4 L size for this recipe), electric or hand crank (recommend hand crank for older children) Blender or hand beaters
Bowls, spatula, potato masher, measuring cups and spoons
Crushed ice (available from fast food outlet or meat packing plant usually at no charge)
Instructions
1. As an introduction to this activity, you may wish to visit a dairy farm or plan a special trip to the grocery store. Or you could ask each child to bring in an ingredient from home.
2. Mix the eggs and sugar. Involve the children in the measuring, stirring and cranking.
3. Let the children mash the bananas using the potato masher. Mix bananas and sugar mixture with the blender or use hand beaters.
4. Add cream, vanilla, salt and almond flavoring. Mix well.
5. Place the mixture in the ice cream canister and add enough milk to bring the liquid up to the fill line. Be careful not to fill above fill line.
6. Turn the dasher to make sure the mixture is well mixed. Note the consistency with the children. What does it look like?7. Place the ice cream canister in the ice cream freezer. Add ice and salt, following the directions for your machine.
8. This ice cream takes about 45 minutes. Let your ice cream ripen in the ice cream freezer or in the deep freeze.
9. Serve ice cream at lunch time or as a snack. Discuss the changes that have happened with the children. Note that the ingredients have changed from liquid to solid, cool to cold, etc.Note: You can make strawberry ice cream by omitting bananas and adding 1 cup (250 ml) strawberry jam. Reduce sugar to 2 cups (500 ml). This ice cream is softer and creamier than store-bought ice cream.More to doDramatic play: Set up an ice cream store and list everyone's favorite ice cream flavors on a big poster. Use paper cones and let children wear aprons. Make up a menu and ask the children how much things cost. Using play money enhances this activity.Language: Make a list of all the interesting words to describe ice cream. You'll be surprised at what the children come up with.Math: Graph everyone's favorite ice cream flavor on paper or on a chalkboard.Sand and water table: Add any remaining ice to the water table. Do not use the ice to which salt has been added.
