UCO Ice Cream Ball – Portable Ice Cream Maker for Camping, Family Fun & Outdoor Adventures
The UCO Ice Cream Ball is a portable ice cream maker that lets you make fresh homemade ice cream almost anywhere—no electricity required. Simply add your favorite ice cream ingredients to one side, ice and rock salt to the other, then roll, shake, toss, or play with the ball while your ice cream freezes in as little as 20 minutes.
The Ice Cream Ball turns dessert into an activity everyone can enjoy. Whether you're camping, spending the day at the beach, hosting a backyard BBQ, enjoying a picnic, or looking for a fun family activity, it creates delicious homemade ice cream while bringing people together.
Best For:
- Camping trips
- Family camping
- Backyard BBQs
- Beach days
- Birthday parties
- Family game nights
- Summer bucket list activities
- RV travel
- Picnics
- Kids activities
- Homemade ice cream anywhere
Why You’ll Love the Ice Cream Ball
- Makes fresh homemade ice cream in as little as 20 minutes
- No electricity, batteries, or kitchen appliances required
- Turns making dessert into a hands-on activity for kids, teens, and adults
- Shake it, roll it, toss it, and play while the ice cream freezes
- A fun, screen-free summer activity for friends, families, camping trips, and backyard gatherings
- Wide, shallow canister & built-in handles make mixing, stirring, and scooping easy
- Made with durable, food-safe, BPA-free materials
- Includes the UCO Pure & Simple recipe booklet
*video in product page by @thetravelingdans
ADD YOUR INGREDIENTS TO THE BOWL
GIVE IT A SHAKE, SHAKE, SHAKE & ROLL, ROLL, ROLL
EASY & DELICIOUS ICE CREAM IN 15-30 MINUTES
Complete directions are packaged inside the Ice Cream Ball or by clicking this to download instructions
Here are some additional tips to help you get the best results:
- When you add ingredients, leave about an inch of space to allow for expansion
- If you cannot find rock salt, you can substitute table salt or kosher salt. We do not recommend using calcium chloride (used to melt driveway ice and snow)
- Hand-tighten the ball to close; use the provided plastic wrench only to open it
- To avoid damage, do not kick or throw the Ice Cream Ball
- To ensure even freezing, pause to scrape the sides of the ice cream compartment with a wooden or plastic spoon after 10 minutes of mixing (15 minutes for Quart)
- When you stop to stir the ice cream, also drain excess water from the ice end and refill with additional ice and rock salt
- Handwash both ends of the Ice Cream Ball with warm, soapy water after each use
- Pint recipes will work fine in the Quart-size Ice Cream Ball
Product Weight: 2.7 lbs.
Pint Size Dimensions: 8.5" diameter
Quart Size Dimensions: 9.5" diameter
Warranty: Limited 1-Year
Complete directions & simple recipes are packaged inside the Ice Cream Ball or by clicking this to download instructions
ICE CREAM RECIPES using our ice cream ball (PINT size)
For Quart Size Recipes, simply double the pint size list of ingredients.
Note: Most of these recipes call for half-and-half. You can substitute cream for a richer, creamier dessert. Using whole or lowfat milk (or part milk and part half-and-half) produces a lighter, lower-fat ice cream, but takes longer to freeze.
BASIC VANILLA ICE CREAM
Ingredients
1 pint of Half & Half (1)
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1/3 cup + 2 tablespoons sugar
(1) Using whole cream makes a richer creamier ice cream. Using part milk and half and half makes a lighter ice cream, but takes longer to freeze.
Yield: about a pint of smooth and creamy ice cream.
Directions
Mix all the ingredients together and put into the ice cream ball
Fill the ice portion of the ice cream ball with ice
Add 1/2 cup rock salt to the ice
Roll, spin, stir, toss, flip, and shake the ball around for 10 minutes
Open up the ice cream ball, stir, close ball
Drain some water from ice section, add more ice and salt.
Roll, spin, stir, toss, flip, and shake for another 10 minutes
Enjoy your tasty homemade ice cream at the campsite or in the backyard!
Campsite Cocoa
1 pint half-and-half
2-3 packets instant cocoa mix
Mix ingredients thoroughly in a separate container before adding to the Ice Cream Ball.
S'mores
1 pint half-and-half
1 tsp vanilla
1/3 cups sugar
1/4 cups chopped marshmallows (or mini marshmallows)
1/4 cups chocolate chips or chopped chocolate bars
Serve with graham crackers for dipping.
Wild Maine Blueberry
1 1/2 cups cream*
1 cups wild blueberries
1 tsp vanilla
1/3 cups sugar
* Because of the high liquid content in the berries, we recommend using cream instead of half-and-half.
Frozen Yogurt
2 c plain yogurt
1/3 cups honey
1/3 cups trail mix
Maine Needham
1 pint half-and-half
1/4 tsp almond extract
1/3 cups sugar
1/4 cups sweetened coconut
1/4 cups chocolate chips or chopped chocolate bars
New England Maple Syrup
1 pint cream*
1/3 cups maple syrup
* Because of the added liquid in this recipe, we recommend using cream instead of half-and-half.
Chocolate Chip
1 pint half-and-half
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1/3 cups sugar
1/3 cups chocolate chips or chopped chocolate bars
Gingerbread
1 pint half-and-half
1 tsp vanilla
1/3 cups plus 2 T sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp ground ginger
1 pinch allspice
1 pinch cloves
Coffee
1 pint half-and-half
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 T instant coffee, dissolved in a small amount of hot water
Coconut
1 cups half-and-half
1 cups coconut milk
1 tsp vanilla
1/3 cups plus 2 T sugar
Cookies & Cream
1 pint half-and-half
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1/3 cups sugar
1/2 cups crushed chocolate sandwich cookies
Fruit Sorbet
1 1/2 cups fruit juice
1/2 cups crushed berries
sugar to taste
Peach
1 pint half-and-half
1 tsp vanilla
1/3 cups sugar
1 medium ripe peach, sliced and pared
Add peaches after 10 minutes of mixing.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The UCO Ice Cream Ball is a portable ice cream maker that lets you make fresh homemade ice cream without electricity. Simply add your ice cream ingredients to one side, ice and rock salt to the other, then roll, shake, or toss the ball while you play. In as little as 20 minutes, you'll have homemade ice cream that's perfect for camping trips, backyard parties, picnics, beach days, and family adventures.
The Ice Cream Ball uses ice and rock salt to freeze your ice cream ingredients while you roll, shake, or toss the ball. As you play, the ingredients churn naturally inside the insulated container, creating smooth, homemade ice cream without the need for electricity or a traditional ice cream maker.
No. The UCO Ice Cream Ball requires no electricity, batteries, or power source. All you need are your favorite ice cream ingredients, ice, rock salt, and a little movement to make delicious homemade ice cream almost anywhere.
Most recipes are ready in as little as 20 minutes, depending on outdoor temperature, ingredients, and how actively the ball is rolled or shaken.
Unlike traditional electric ice cream makers, the UCO Ice Cream Ball doesn't require electricity, batteries, or an outlet. Instead of waiting for a machine to churn, you create ice cream by rolling, shaking, and playing with the ball, turning dessert into a fun activity that's perfect for camping, family gatherings, birthday parties, and outdoor adventures.
The UCO Ice Cream Ball is perfect for camping trips, backyard BBQs, birthday parties, family reunions, beach days, RV travel, picnics, summer vacations, and screen-free family activities. Anywhere people gather is a great place to make homemade ice cream together.
Absolutely. The UCO Ice Cream Ball was designed to make homemade ice cream anywhere, making it a favorite for camping trips, RV travel, picnics, beach days, and outdoor adventures. It's a fun activity that doubles as dessert.
Yes. Kids love helping make ice cream by rolling, tossing, and playing with the ball while it freezes. It's a hands-on, screen-free activity that gets everyone involved and makes dessert part of the adventure.
Most recipes use simple ingredients like cream or milk, sugar, and vanilla, along with ice and rock salt for freezing. The included UCO Pure & Simple recipe booklet includes classic recipes and inspiration for creating your own flavors. You can also make a base using the ingredients listed above and add your favorite candy or toppings for a perfect ice cream.
Yes. The Ice Cream Ball is made with durable, food-safe, BPA-free materials and is designed for easy cleaning after each use. Be sure to follow the care instructions included with your Ice Cream Ball for the best long-term performance. You can use hot water, dish soap and a cloth to clean the inside or outside!