The heat of summer is the perfect time to enjoy ice cream. There’s something about those sticky, humid days that make a cone with your favorite flavor seem like the perfect treat. But if you live in a place where the temperatures stay above 80 degrees for most of the year, you may find yourself having to deal with soggy cones fairly often. Unfortunately, ice cream melts fast and can get soggy almost as soon as it hits your tongue. Thankfully, there are ways to keep your delicious treats from melting as quickly so you can enjoy them longer! If your ice cream tends to melt faster than you’d like or if you just want some brand new ideas on how to keep it from melting so fast, check out these helpful tips and tricks for keeping your ice cream from going soggy so fast!
How To Keep Ice Cream From Melting
Double-wrap your ice cream
You can double-wrap your ice cream to keep it from melting as quickly. Some people even use a freezer-safe bag inside a plastic container and do not take off the top part of the container, so they can just grab it and go. Wrap your ice cream in a towel or a napkin to keep it from melting against other items in your bag or container. Be sure to place it on the bottom so that the napkin absorbs any melting ice cream, rather than the other items in your bag getting soggy.
Chill your ice cream first
Chilling your ice cream first will make it last longer and stay colder, which in turn means it will melt slower. If you enjoy soft-serve ice cream, there are ways you can keep it soft even outside in the hot weather. One way to control the ice cream meltage is to add a little cornstarch to the ice cream when mixing it. This will prevent it from melting too quickly and will give you a more consistent product. If you plan to go out on a really hot day, you can keep your ice cream frozen longer by freezing it first. If you want to go the extra mile, you can also pre-make your ice cream so it’s ready to serve when you want it.
Keep your ice cream in the freezer
Even if the ice cream is warm when you get home, you can still put it in the freezer to help it last longer. If you don’t want to eat it right away, put it in the freezer until you’re ready to enjoy it. When you store ice cream in your freezer, make sure you use a freezer-safe container to prevent the ice cream from leaking and contaminating other items in your freezer. Freezer-safe containers are specially designed to keep your food safe in the freezer for a long time. They are leak-proof, sturdy, and designed to keep the cold in and the warmth out. If you have a large family or like to host lots of parties, you may want to invest in extra-large containers that hold up to half a gallon of ice cream.
Dine inside, not outside
If you do decide to eat outside, make sure you are eating in the shade. You can also bring along a fan or a small AC unit to help keep things cool. If you’re eating in an area that gets direct sunlight, you can use a parasol or a large umbrella to help keep your ice cream from melting too quickly. You can also place your ice cream container near a wall or on the ground near some bushes or other foliage to help shade it from the sun.
Use silicone or rubber containers
Silicone or rubber containers are a great choice for keeping your ice cream from melting. You can also use a ceramic dish with a lid that has a rubber seal. You can display your ice cream in a decorative container, or use a disposable container for easy clean up. These containers are great for keeping your ice cream from melting because they keep the air and warmth away from the ice cream. They also help keep your ice cream from getting too wet from condensation if you are storing it near a wall or outdoors. Silicone or rubber containers are reusable, dishwasher safe, and can be used for other food items, too. You can even use an ice cream cone holder with a lid to store your ice cream in a decorative way.
Eat fast!
The longer you wait to eat your ice cream, the more likely it is to melt. The more time it spends in your stomach and the more time your body has to heat it up, the more quickly your ice cream will melt. Try to eat your ice cream as quickly as possible. If you have to take it to go, eat it as soon as possible after you get it so it doesn’t sit in the sun and melt. Eating fast doesn’t mean you have to eat it all at once. You can always repackage your ice cream into smaller containers to help it last longer. You can also make ice cream sandwiches or use ice cream as a topping for other desserts.
Don’t shake it up when you re-freeze it
Don’t shake your ice cream after you re-freeze it. Shaking it up causes the ice crystals to re-form and makes your ice cream go from hard-frozen to almost melted again in a hurry. If you want your ice cream to last longer, re-freeze it in a container without shaking it up. You can also re-freeze it in a single layer on a baking sheet or in a single layer in a freezer-safe bag. This will prevent your ice cream from re-freezing as a big chunk.
Don’t store it in the carton!
Don’t put your ice cream back in the cardboard container it came in. The cardboard can make the ice cream go bad faster, and it’s best to put it in a different container. Find a container that is airtight and moisture-proof. You can also put it in a freezer-safe plastic bag. This will keep all the air and moisture out, and your ice cream will last longer as a result. If you’re not going to eat all of your ice cream at once, you can store the remaining ice cream in an airtight container in the freezer. This will help to keep it from getting freezer burn or becoming stale.
What You Should Know About Ice Cream
1. Ice cream is a dairy product
Ice cream is made with milk and cream. It usually contains around 10% milkfat, which can make it a little more difficult to keep ice cream from melting too quickly. This is especially true if you’re adding any type of soft-serve machine or other ingredients like chocolate syrup or whipped cream to the mix. The higher the fat content in your ice cream, the longer it will last before getting soggy!
2. The colder the temperature, the better it will stay frozen longer
This may seem obvious to some, but many people don’t realize that cold temperatures slow down the rate of ice crystal formation in ice cream and keep it from melting as fast as it does at warmer temperatures. If you live near a beach or by a lake where there are cool breezes blowing most of the time, this could be a great way to help keep your favorite flavors from melting too quickly!
3. Add a little bit of salt to the ice cream
Salt is a great way to keep your ice cream from melting too quickly. Salt actually lowers the freezing point of water, which means that it takes longer for ice crystals to form in the ice cream than it does at higher temperatures. If you would like to add salt to your ice cream, try using a tablespoon for every quart of ice cream you plan on freezing.
4. Add some vinegar or lemon juice to the mix
Adding vinegar or lemon juice to your favorite flavors will also help keep them from melting too fast and can help give them a more refreshing taste as well! This can be especially helpful if you live in a place with warm temperatures where you have trouble keeping your favorite flavors from melting too quickly.
Wrapping Up
If you want your ice cream to last longer and stay soft, there are a few things you can do. First of all, keep it dry and don’t put it on a wet dish or table. If you want to keep it from melting too quickly, you can try keeping it in the freezer, adding cornstarch or crumbs, or freezing the ice cream base first. You can also try serving your ice cream in a bowl or container instead of a container. If you want to keep ice cream from melting too quickly, follow these tips, and you’ll be able to enjoy your ice cream for longer!
