Homemade Ice Cream Rolls Without Machine

Do you like the ice cream rolls that people make on a cold metal plate? You see them on Instagram and YouTube. They look very tasty. But you think you cannot make them at home because you do not have that machine. That is wrong thinking. You can make homemade ice cream rolls without machine. You just need a few things from your kitchen.

I will show you every small step. You will not fail. This article is for Indian homes. We do not have big freezers or fancy tools. We have common things. Let us start.

What Are Ice Cream Rolls?

Ice cream rolls are not regular ice cream. In regular ice cream, you mix everything and put it in a container. Then you freeze it. Then you scoop it. But ice cream rolls are different. You pour a liquid ice cream base on a very cold flat surface. Then you scrape it with a tool. The ice cream freezes fast and makes thin rolls. These rolls look like a fruit roll but made of ice cream.

In shops, they use a special machine. That machine has a freezing plate. But at home, we will make our own freezing plate. It is very easy. You already have the thing in your kitchen.

Read Also: Coffee Rolled Ice Cream Recipe With Cold Brew

What You Need to Make Ice Cream Rolls at Home?

You do not need to buy anything expensive. Here is the full list.

The Main Tool – A Flat Steel Tray

Take any flat steel or aluminium tray. It should be big. It should have a flat bottom. The tray you use for baking cake or roasting vegetables is perfect. The metal should be thin. Thin metal gets cold fast. Thick metal takes too much time to get cold. So use a thin metal tray.

The Freezing Helper – A Bigger Plate or Thali

You need one more thing. Take a big steel plate. Bigger than your tray. This plate will hold ice. You put the tray on top of this ice. This keeps the tray cold for a long time.

The Scraper

In shops, they use a flat metal scraper. You can also use a strong flat spatula. A steel spatula works well. The main thing is the edge should be flat. Not sharp like a knife. Just flat like a butter knife.

The Ingredients for the Ice Cream Base

Here is the simple base recipe. You can change flavours later.

• Full fat milk – 2 cups

• Fresh cream – half cup

• Sugar – half cup (less or more as you like)

• Milk powder – 2 big spoons (this makes it creamy)

• Cornflour – 1 small spoon (this stops ice crystals)

• Any flavour – vanilla, chocolate, mango, strawberry, or instant coffee powder

These are all home things. You do not need to search in special shops.

Step by Step Method to Make Ice Cream Rolls Without Machine

Do not rush. Read each step fully. Then do it. This method works every time.

Step 1 – Make the Ice Cream Liquid Base

Take a small pot. Add milk, fresh cream, sugar, milk powder, and cornflour. Mix everything well with a spoon. Make sure no lumps of cornflour or milk powder remain. Now put this pot on low flame. Keep stirring. Do not stop stirring. After five minutes, the mixture will become slightly thick. Not like a pudding. Just thicker than normal milk. Take it off the flame. Let it come to room temperature.

Once it is cool, add your flavour. For mango flavour, add half cup of mango pulp. For chocolate, add two spoons of cocoa powder. For coffee, add one spoon of instant coffee. Mix well. Now your liquid base is ready.

Step 2 – Make a Very Cold Surface

This is the most important step. Take your flat steel tray. Wash it and dry it completely. Not one drop of water on it. Then put this tray inside your freezer. Leave it there for two hours. Yes, two full hours. The tray should become very very cold. When you touch it, your finger should feel a sting. That means it is ready.

Do not open the freezer again and again. Let the tray sit.

Step 3 – Prepare the Ice Plate

Take your bigger steel plate or thali. Fill it with ice cubes. You can also add a little water with the ice. The water helps the cold spread. Now place your frozen tray on top of this ice plate. The ice plate keeps the tray cold while you work. Without this, the tray will become warm after one scrape. So do not skip this.

Step 4 – Pour the Base and Make Rolls

Take your cold tray that is sitting on the ice plate. Pour a thin layer of the liquid base. Just enough to cover the bottom. Do not pour too much. A thin layer freezes fast. A thick layer stays soft.

Wait for 30 seconds. You will see the edges starting to freeze. Now take your flat spatula. Start scraping from one edge. Push the ice cream forward. It will start making a roll. Keep scraping. One line makes one roll. Do this for the whole tray. You will get four to five rolls.

If the base is not freezing, your tray was not cold enough. Put it back in the freezer for one more hour.

Step 5 – Serve Right Away

Take the rolls carefully with your fingers or spoon. Put them in a small bowl. You can add some crushed nuts or chocolate sauce on top. Eat immediately. These ice cream rolls melt faster than regular ice cream. So eat within two minutes.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

Many people try and fail the first time. That is okay. Here are the common problems.

Problem – The Base Does Not Freeze at All

Your tray was not cold enough. Put the tray in the freezer for three hours next time. Also use full fat milk and cream. Low fat milk takes more time to freeze.

Problem – The Base Freezes But Does Not Make Rolls

You poured too much base. Next time pour a very thin layer. Also scrape faster. If you scrape slowly, the ice cream becomes hard and breaks.

Problem – The Rolls Break Into Pieces

Your spatula is not flat enough. Use a flat metal spatula. Also do not press too hard. Press gently and homemade ice cream rolls without machine.

Problem – The Tray Becomes Warm After One Batch

Your ice plate was not big enough. Use more ice. Also keep extra ice ready. Change the ice after one batch.

Five Easy Flavours for Indian Homes

You do not need fancy things. Here are five flavours that work very well.

Mango Ice Cream Rolls

Take half cup of fresh mango pulp. Mix it in the base. Do not use sour mango. Use sweet ripe mango. That gives the best taste.

Chocolate Biscuit Rolls

Take two spoons of cocoa powder in the base. After making the rolls, crush two plain biscuits like Parle or Marie. Put the crumbled biscuits on top of the rolls.

Coconut and Jaggery Rolls

Use coconut milk instead of regular milk. Use jaggery instead of sugar. Grate a little fresh coconut on top when serving. This taste is very nice.

Cardamom and Cream Rolls

Add a pinch of cardamom powder in the base. Do not add any other flavour. Just cardamom. It gives a very Indian taste.

Coffee Roll with Chocolate

Add one spoon of instant coffee in the base. Make the rolls. Then pour a little melted chocolate on top. This is for people who like strong taste.

Read: Best Coffee Ice Cream Rolls Recipe

How to Store Leftover Ice Cream Base?

Sometimes you make more base than needed. You can store the leftover base in a closed box. Keep it in the fridge. It stays good for two days. But do not freeze the base directly. When you want to make rolls again, take the base out of the fridge. Mix it once. Then follow the same steps. Freeze the tray again. Make fresh rolls.

Do not try to store the finished rolls. They become hard and lose their taste.

Why This Method Works Even Without Machine

Machines are not magic. They just make a cold plate. You are making the same cold plate with your freezer and ice. The only difference is speed. A machine stays cold for hours. Your ice plate stays cold for ten minutes. That is enough to make one or two batches. For a home kitchen, this is more than enough.

Also, the machine uses a very flat scraper. Your steel spatula does the same job. So do not feel bad about not having a machine. You are making the same thing with your own hands.

Tips to Get the Best Rolls Every Time

Here are some small things that make a big difference.

• Always dry the tray fully before putting it in the freezer. Water makes ice. Ice stops the roll from forming.

• Do not open the freezer door many times. Each time you open, warm air goes inside.

• Work in a cool room. If your kitchen is very hot, the tray will melt faster.

• Keep everything ready before you take the tray out of the freezer. The base should be ready. The ice plate should be ready. The spatula should be clean.

• Do not make rolls in the afternoon if your kitchen gets direct sunlight. Make them at night or early morning.

What Not to Do

I am telling you clearly what to avoid.

• Do not use plastic tray. Plastic does not get cold enough.

• Do not use a glass tray. Glass will break from sudden cold.

• Do not add too much sugar. More sugar means slower freezing.

• Do not skip cornflour. Without cornflour, the ice cream becomes hard like a brick.

• Do not use low fat milk. It will not become creamy.

• Do not expect perfect round rolls the first time. Your first batch will look messy. That is okay. Taste is more important than looks.

Frequently Asked Questions by Indian Home Cooks

Can I make this without fresh cream?

Yes. Use more milk powder instead. Take three big spoons of milk powder and mix in warm milk. That gives creaminess.

How much time does the whole thing take?

Freezing the tray takes two hours. Making the base takes ten minutes. Making the rolls takes two minutes. So total two hours and twelve minutes. But your active work is only twelve minutes. The rest is waiting.

Can I use this method for vegan rolls?

Yes. Use coconut milk or soy milk. Use coconut cream instead of fresh cream. Use sugar or jaggery.

My tray is not flat. It has curves. What to do?

Flat tray is best. But if you do not have a flat tray, use a flat steel tiffin box bottom. Just the lid of a big tiffin box works too.

Can I make chocolate syrup at home for topping?

Yes. Take two spoons of cocoa powder, two spoons of sugar, and four spoons of water. Cook on low flame until thick. Let it cool. Use on top of rolls.

Final Words – You Can Do It

Many people think making ice cream rolls at home is hard. That is because they see machines in videos. But you saw here that a simple freezer tray and some ice can do the same job. You do not need to buy anything. You do not need any special skill. You just need to follow the steps exactly as written.

Start with the plain vanilla flavour. Once you get the right roll shape, try other flavours. The first time, your rolls may look like broken pieces. That is fine. Eat them anyway. The second time, they will look better. By the third time, you will make perfect rolls.