How did the Victorians make ice cream?

Making ice cream was significantly harder without modern freezers to help. Instead, it relied heavily on ice and salt to create the right conditions for freezing – and a lot of labour! This means that it was only really served in aristocratic circles, among people who had access to ice. 

Victorian ice cream mould in the shape of a ram, Kiplin Hall and Gardens

The Victorians loved to create ice cream in different shapes. This mould gives us a little glimpse into their fascination with the way food was presented. Why might they want ice cream in the shape of a ram? Whatever the reason, it would have looked impressive in the middle of a table, until it started to melt.

This Victorian metallic ice cream mould is likely made from pewter, a tin alloy that contained lead. Lead is no longer considered suitable for such products due to its toxicity to humans. Once the cream was beginning to turn into ice cream, it would be quickly spooned into the shape and kept cool until the diners were ready. The mould is in several pieces held together with pins to make it easier to get the ice cream out without damaging it.

It is part of the Annie Marchant Kitchen and Dairy Collection at Kiplin Hall and Gardens. Annie Marchant was an antiques dealer. She died in 2020, leaving her collection, along with the funds to care for it, to a museum. She had a particular passion for reusing and recycling, as well as growing and preserving produce after harvest, often reflected in the objects she collected. You can find another object from this collection on the site too.

From Kiplin Hall and Gardens

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The history of ice cream

Frozen desserts were made since at least Roman times, by adding sugar and fruit to ice or snow. However, it took much longer for people to work out how to freeze cream. Whilst water freezes at zero degrees centigrade, cream freezes at minus three. To make it freeze, ice needs the addition of salt.

By the 16th century, ice cream as we would recognise it began to be served in Italy and France. People found that if you used mixed salt into ice you could reduce the temperature of the mixture. If you put your cream in a sealed container within the ice/salt mixture, the cream would freeze. Ice cream had been invented.

In England, the first recipe for ice cream featured in the cook book or ‘receipts’ of Mrs Mary Eales in 1718. However, it remained a luxury item.

From Kiplin Hall and Gardens, back

Click on the photo to enlarge it.

Watch The Video: Find out more about the ice cream mould in the shape of a ram

How to make ice cream

Anyone can learn how to make ice cream with ice and salt. You need to use the salt to lower the temperature. In this video, a large quantity of ice is mixed with lots of salt to make a bowl of ice cream, but you can try it yourself with smaller amounts.

Watch The Video

Making your own ice cream

When you first make ice cream, it’s easier to start with a very small amount. On the video, we placed a bowl of cream inside a larger bowl of salty ice water. We’d recommend that you try this activity by placing a small sealed plastic bag containing cream inside a larger sealed plastic bag containing ice and lots of salt.

You will need:

  • 2 plastic bags that you can seal (one large and one small)
  • Some slightly crushed ice and lots of salt, mixed together – put this in the large bag
  • Cream, sugar, plus any flavourings (we used vanilla) – put some of this in the small bag (make sure there’s space for it to move around)

Put the small sealed bag (with the cream mixture ) inside the large sealed bag (with the salty crushed ice) and very gently shake or agitate the smaller bag inside the large one – take care not to burst either bag. Remove the small bag once the cream has frozen, rinse the salt off and open to enjoy your ice cream.

Talking Points

Why do you think the mould is made from metal?

Some metals like pewter contain lead. Why might lead not be a good idea for placing in contact with food?

What would the mould feel like when filled with ice cream?

What would happen to the ice cream inside if you held it too long?

How would you stop the ice cream melting between making it and serving it? Remember that in Victorian times they d had not invent the fridge or freezer.

What is your favourite ice cream flavour?

There are Victorian recipes for ice cream flavoured with cucumber, brown bread, and oysters! What would be a good but weird flavour for modern times?

Do you think that the sheep might be a symbol to be used at a time of year such as Easter? Can you think of why a lamb is often used as a symbol in celebrations at this time of year? 

Vocabulary

State (of matter): solid, liquid or gas

Freeze: change from liquid to solid

Melt: change from solid to liquid

Pewter: an easily shaped metal alloy made from a mixture of metals, possibly including lead in Victorian times.

 

In the Classroom

 

Hotseat

Interview a student in role as a cook responsible for making the ice cream. What aspects do they like? What do they find hard work?

Compare

Compare this approach to eating ice cream to the experiences of working class Victorians having ice cream on holiday. You can find a penny lick on this site to find out more about how most ordinary people encountered ice cream as a very special holiday treat! 

Try it yourself

Make your own ice cream in small plastic bags – use our video and instructions to help

 

Hands on History

Discover more about Kiplin Hall and Gardens, or pay them a visit to see more of the Annie Marchant Dairy Collection. 

 

 

 

 

Museum Location

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