Here's how it works:
You fill ice end of the ball with as much ice as you possibly can fit!! Then add one cup of rock salt* Close the lid securely!
Rock salt works best, but sea salt and kosher salt are good substitutes!! When using sea salt or kosher salt, use and additional ¼ cup. Do not use driveway chemicals (calcium chloride or potassium chloride.)
Mix up your ice cream ingredients in a container. Remove lid form the end with the metal cylinder and pour in your ingredients. Close the lid securely but do not use the plastic wrench to tighten the lid.
Now comes the fun!! Shake, roll and pass the ball and freeze the ice cream at the same time!! After 15 minutes open the ice cream end and scrape the hard ice cream off the sides of the can. Mix with the liquidy ice cream in the center. Close the lid again and then check the ice end. Pour out the excess water and add more ice ad up to 1/3 cup rock salt. Close the lid and continue to play 15 minutes or until the ice cream is the best consistency!
Now, I have found that you have to experiment with the time to get the right consistency. I would also recommend using cream, NOT half and half. This will give it a better consistency. There are tons of great recipes that come with the ice cream ball, and you can also purchase the ice cream flavors set to add instant flavor to your ice cream!! I found the chocolate flavoring to be too artificial, so I would recommend using your favorite chocolate syrup to add chocolate flavor.
Here is what my 4 year had to say about it: I love it!! I want to play with it everyday. It's fun to play with.
We played with my 3 daughters and myself! We had a blast passing, rolling and shaking the ball! A couple times they tried to kick it, and I had to remind them you can't bounce, drop or kick the ball or it will break! You also have to be sure that the lid goes on very securely, or it may leak. You must line it up right and be sure there are no gaps in the seal.
The Play and Freeze Ice Cream Maker is great for use indoors or outdoors! I would recommend doing it in a shady spot on hot days, as the heat from outdoors may prolong the freezing process. This ball is great for any age, we played with a child as young as 16 months!! I am planning on using it for our daughter's birthday as a game and dessert in one!! There are going to be lots of kids so it should be a great way to keep them entertained!!
It is also important to remember to KEEP THE BALL MOVING!!! That was the struggle I faced playing with really little ones because they want to say who they pass it to.... “I'll pass it to mommy.....” you get the picture. It just takes longer to get to the right consistency if its not moving constantly.
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This toy is so much and fun and super yummy!! Hearth Song would love to offer you one to share with your family!! Here is how to win:
Go to HearthSong.com and find something you like. Anything. ☺ Come back here and tell me what that something is in a comment below. Be sure I have your email in case you are the lucky winner!!
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Contest begins now and ends May 27,2010. Winner will be chosen via Random.org and will be notified via email. Winner has 48 hours to claim their prize or forfeits the prize. In this case we will redraw for a new winner.
I was not monetarily compensated for this review. I was given the products mentioned from Hearth Song for review. These opinions are not affected by the products received. They are my honest opinions. The winner will also be receiving the Play and Freeze Ice Cream Maker from Hearth Song. Photos from Hearth Song.
