In a mixing bowl, whisk together milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until sugar is fully dissolved.
Chill:
Cover the mixture and refrigerate for at least 1–2 hours (or overnight) for best flavor and texture.
Freeze (Soft Serve Style):
Pour the chilled mixture into an ice cream maker.
Churn according to the machine’s instructions until it reaches a soft-serve consistency (usually 20–25 minutes).
Serve:
Serve immediately for soft serve.
If you want firmer ice cream, transfer to a container and freeze for 1–2 hours before scooping.
Tips:
For true soft-serve texture, serve it straight from the machine.
You can add mix-ins like crushed cookies, chocolate chips, or fruit purée for flavor variety.
History of Soft Serve Ice Cream
Soft serve ice cream is a delicious innovation in frozen desserts, and its origin has an interesting story that blends food science with clever marketing.
Origins:**
The invention of soft serve is often attributed to two major American companies in the 1930s and 1940s:
Dairy Queen (USA, 1938)**
Soft serve was popularized by Dairy Queen founders J.F. McCullough and his son Alex.
They created a new formula that didn’t need to be hard-frozen and served it at a slightly warmer temperature than traditional ice cream.
Their first all-you-can-eat trial in Kankakee, Illinois was a huge hit, serving over 1,600 people in two hours.
Tom Carvel (USA, 1934)
Another soft serve pioneer, Tom Carvel, accidentally invented soft serve after his ice cream truck broke down.
As his partially melted ice cream began to sell better than his frozen version, he realized people liked the smoother texture.
He later developed a soft-serve machine and opened the first Carvel store.
What Makes Soft Serve “Soft”?
Unlike hard ice cream, soft serve contains less milk fat (3-6% vs. 10%+ in regular ice cream).
It’s served at a warmer temperature (about -4°C or 25°F) which keeps it smooth and soft.
Air is whipped into the mix (called overrun), making it lighter and creamier.
Spread Around the World:
After its U.S. success, soft serve became popular worldwide.
Fast food giants like McDonald’s, Burger King, and KFC adopted it, making it a global treat.
Variants like matcha soft serve in Japan or kulfi soft serve in India show its cultural adaptations.
Fun Fact:
Soft serve ice cream has become a nostalgic symbol of summer and childhood in many cultures. From beach stands to shopping malls, its swirled shape is instantly recognizable.