In chapter 13 of The Winchester Mysteries: The Missing Necklace, Lily, Carl, and Theodore are rewarded for their success in solving the case with a sweet treat – homemade ice cream! In the early 1900s, people didn’t have refrigerators like we do today. They used icehouses or iceboxes, which were not very common, to keep food cool. As a result, ice cream was considered a special treat because it required access to ice, which was not always easy to get. People would buy ice cream from vendors on the streets, enjoy it at special ice cream parlors, or make it at home for special occassions. In this activity, you will try your hand at making your own homemade ice cream.
Ingredients & Materials for Homemade Ice Cream:
- 1 cup of heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons of sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 3 cups of ice
- 1/4 cup of salt
- Individual zipper-lock bags (1 pint-sized and 1 quart-sized bag per child or group)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Ice cream toppings (optional)
Introduction:
Discuss what ice cream is, what it is made of, and how it has been a favorite dessert for many years. In the early 1900s, ice cream was a rare treat since people didn’t have refrigerators at home. This is why the offer of the homemade ice cream in chapter 13 is especially exciting for Lily, Carl, and Theodore. Neapolitan ice cream is made of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry flavors in one ice cream. This new flavor combination was popular in the early 1900s. Ice cream became more accessible and enjoyed more often as refrigeration technology advanced.
Making Homemade Ice Cream:
Gather the ingredients and materials needed for making homemade ice cream. Measure the heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla extract, and mix them in the pint-sized zipper-lock bag. Seal the pint-sized bag tightly and place it inside the quart-sized bag. Fill the larger bag with ice, leaving some space at the top, and add the salt on top of the ice. Seal the quart-sized bag securely. Now, shake the bags vigorously for about 10-15 minutes or until the mixture in the pint-sized bag turns into ice cream. You can use mittens or towels to protect your hands while shaking the bags, as they might become very cold.
Ice Cream Tasting:
After the ice cream has formed, open the bags and transfer the homemade ice cream into cups or bowls. You can add toppings like sprinkles, chocolate syrup, or fresh fruit if you’d like. Enjoy the delicious homemade ice cream!
Extension Activities:
- Draw a simple illustration or create a storyboard depicting the process of making homemade ice cream.
- Write a sentence or two about making your homemade ice crea.
- Think about other ways not having a refrigerator would change what you eat regularly.