You May Never Look At Soft Serve The Same Way Again

Julie R. Thomson
Updated

Soft serve ice cream is a beloved part of the summer experience. It even has its own holiday right smack in the middle of the season, on August 19. It’s enjoyed at every level, from your standard DQ serving to high-end Los Angeles black soft serve.

We hate to be the ones to ruin this lovely treat, but we think you should know something: that summertime dessert isn’t always as pure as your childhood dreams about it.

A cone of soft serve, looking innocent, but probably chock-full of additives. (Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
A cone of soft serve, looking innocent, but probably chock-full of additives. (Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

We took a look at the ingredients listed in McDonald’s and Dairy Queen soft serve ― two options that can be purchased nationally ― and here’s what we found lurking on the list (along with the more expected ingredients like milk, nonfat milk, sugar, corn syrup and whey):

Polysorbate 80 is used as an emulsifier in foods and cosmetics. It’s added to soft serve to prevent milk proteins from completely coating the fat droplets. This allows the soft serve to bind and locks air into the mixture. (McDonald’s, DQ)

Mono- and diglycerides come from fatty acids. They’re used as another emulsifier. They help combine ingredients containing fat with ingredients containing water (because the two don’t normally merge well on their own). (McDonald’s, DQ)

Carrageenan is a carbohydrate extracted from red seaweed. It’s used for its gelling, stabilizing and thickening properties. (McDonald’s, DQ)

Guar gum is made from the endosperm of the guar bean. It’s used as a thickening agent. The use of it in diet pills was banned in the 1980s because it was dangerous, but small amounts of it ― like what’s found in soft serve ― have been established as safe. (McDonald’s, DQ)

Cellulose gum comes from the cell walls of plants such as wood pulp and cottonseeds. It is another thickener. It is commonly used in the food industry and adds to the mouthfeel and texture of a product. (McDonald’s)

Sodium Phosphate is used in many foods and serves many purposes. It can be used as a texturizer, an emulsifier or a leavening agent. (McDonald’s)

So why are all these ingredients in the mix?

According to Forbes, lots of soft serve is made with cheap powdered mix that’s reconstituted with water ― it has a longer shelf life than real ice cream that’s made with milk and eggs, so it’s a more affordable option for ice cream stands.

Types of soft serve that are slightly more premium than the powdered mix, Forbes explains, are made from a liquid mix, which is added straight to the machine and gets its consistency from the freezing cylinder inside the machines (soft serve has to reach a cool 19 degrees Fahrenheit to maintain its beloved consistency).

Of course, not all soft serve is created equal. And if you want to make sure you’re getting something good, make your own ice cream from scratch ― we’ve got the recipes you need.

Strawberries + Angel Food Ice Cream

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2013/04/strawberries-angel-food-ice-cream.html" target="_blank">Strawberries + Angel Food Ice Cream recipe</a> from A Beautiful Mess</strong>
Get the Strawberries + Angel Food Ice Cream recipe from A Beautiful Mess

Hazelnut And Salted Caramel Ice Cream

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.foodiecrush.com/2014/06/hazelnut-and-salted-caramel-ice-cream/" target="_blank">Hazelnut and Salted Caramel Ice Cream recipe</a> from Foodie Crush</strong>
Get the Hazelnut and Salted Caramel Ice Cream recipe from Foodie Crush

Chocolate Ice Cream

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/chocolate_ice_cream/" target="_blank">Chocolate Ice Cream recipe</a> from Simply Recipes</strong>
Get the Chocolate Ice Cream recipe from Simply Recipes

Blueberry Muffin Ice Cream

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.howsweeteats.com/2013/05/blueberry-muffin-ice-cream/" target="_blank">Blueberry Muffin Ice Cream recipe</a> from How Sweet It Is</strong>
Get the Blueberry Muffin Ice Cream recipe from How Sweet It Is

Pumpkin Ice Cream

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.adventures-in-cooking.com/2013/12/pumpkin-ice-cream-with-gingersnap-honey.html" target="_blank">Pumpkin Ice Cream recipe</a> from Adventures in Cooking</strong>
Get the Pumpkin Ice Cream recipe from Adventures in Cooking

Strawberry-Fennel Ice Cream

<strong>Get the <a href="http://food52.com/recipes/4860-strawberry-fennel-ice-cream" target="_blank">Strawberry-Fennel Ice Cream recipe</a> from gluttonforlife via Food52</strong>
Get the Strawberry-Fennel Ice Cream recipe from gluttonforlife via Food52

Peanut Butter & Cayenne Ice Cream

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2013/05/peanut-butter-cayenne-ice-cream.html" target="_blank">Peanut Butter & Cayenne Ice Cream recipe</a> from A Beautiful Mess</strong>
Get the Peanut Butter & Cayenne Ice Cream recipe from A Beautiful Mess

Toasted Marshmallow Coconut Milk Ice Cream

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.howsweeteats.com/2012/08/toasted-marshmallow-coconut-milk-ice-cream/" target="_blank">Toasted Marshmallow Coconut Milk Ice Cream recipe</a> from How Sweet It Is</strong>
Get the Toasted Marshmallow Coconut Milk Ice Cream recipe from How Sweet It Is

Milk Chocolate Ice Cream with Brownie Bits

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.annies-eats.com/2011/03/25/milk-chocolate-ice-cream-with-brownie-bits/" target="_blank">Milk Chocolate Ice Cream with Brownie Bits recipe</a> from Annie's Eats</strong>
Get the Milk Chocolate Ice Cream with Brownie Bits recipe from Annie's Eats

Red Velvet Ice Cream With Cream Cheese Frosting Swirl

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.annies-eats.com/2013/02/08/red-velvet-ice-cream-with-cream-cheese-frosting-swirl/" target="_blank">Red Velvet Ice Cream with Cream Cheese Frosting Swirl recipe</a> from Annie's Eats</strong>

Mint-Basil Chip Ice Cream

<strong>Get the <a href="http://food52.com/recipes/18100-mint-basil-chip-ice-cream" target="_blank">Mint-Basil Chip Ice Cream recipe</a> from wssmom via Food52</strong>
Get the Mint-Basil Chip Ice Cream recipe from wssmom via Food52

Chocolate Chip Cookies And Cream Pumpkin Marshmallow Ice Cream

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.howsweeteats.com/2013/11/chocolate-chip-cookies-and-cream-pumpkin-marshmallow-ice-cream/" target="_blank">Chocolate Chip Cookies and Cream Pumpkin Marshmallow Ice Cream recipe</a> from How Sweet It Is</strong>

Strawberry And Lime Ice Cream

<strong>Get the <a href="http://food52.com/recipes/12768-strawberry-and-lime-ice-cream" target="_blank">Strawberry and Lime Ice Cream recipe</a> from This Little Piggy (Lisa) via Food52</strong>
Get the Strawberry and Lime Ice Cream recipe from This Little Piggy (Lisa) via Food52

Burnt Caramel Bourbon Ice Cream With Milk Chocolate Toffee

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.howsweeteats.com/2012/10/burnt-caramel-bourbon-ice-cream-with-milk-chocolate-toffee/" target="_blank">Burnt Caramel Bourbon Ice Cream with Milk Chocolate Toffee recipe</a> from How Sweet It Is</strong>

Brown Sugar Brandy Ice Cream

<strong>Get the <a href="http://passthesushi.com/brown-sugar-brandy-ice-cream/" target="_blank">Brown Sugar Brandy Ice Cream recipe</a> from Pass the Sushi</strong>
Get the Brown Sugar Brandy Ice Cream recipe from Pass the Sushi

Almond Torte Mascarpone Ice Cream

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.howsweeteats.com/2014/05/almond-torte-mascarpone-ice-cream-with-a-brown-butter-almond-crunch/" target="_blank">Almond Torte Mascarpone Ice Cream recipe</a> from How Sweet It Is</strong>

Lemon Cream Ice Cream

<strong>Get the <a href="http://food52.com/recipes/14257-jeni-s-splendid-lemon-cream-ice-cream" target="_blank">Lemon Cream Ice Cream recipe</a> from Genius Recipes via Food52</strong>
Get the Lemon Cream Ice Cream recipe from Genius Recipes via Food52

Peach Ice Cream

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.annies-eats.com/2011/07/15/peach-ice-cream-and-a-giveaway/" target="_blank">Peach Ice Cream recipe</a> from Annie's Eats</strong>
Get the Peach Ice Cream recipe from Annie's Eats

Olive Oil-Saffron Ice Cream With Burnt Orange-Caramel Swirl

<strong>Get the <a href="http://food52.com/recipes/18846-olive-oil-saffron-ice-cream-with-burnt-orange-caramel-swirl" target="_blank">Olive Oil-Saffron Ice Cream with Burnt Orange-Caramel Swirl recipe</a> from Stefani McGuiness via Food52</strong>

White Chocolate Buttermint Ice Cream

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.howsweeteats.com/2012/08/white-chocolate-buttermint-ice-cream/" target="_blank">White Chocolate Buttermint Ice Cream recipe</a> from How Sweet It Is</strong>
Get the White Chocolate Buttermint Ice Cream recipe from How Sweet It Is

Ginger Ice Cream With Honey-Sesame Brittle

<strong>Get the <a href="http://food52.com/recipes/18839-ginger-ice-cream-with-honey-sesame-brittle" target="_blank">Ginger Ice Cream with Honey-Sesame Brittle recipe</a> from Jef via Food52</strong>
Get the Ginger Ice Cream with Honey-Sesame Brittle recipe from Jef via Food52

Coffee Heath Bar Ice Cream

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/coffee_heath_bar_ice_cream/" target="_blank">Coffee Heath Bar Ice Cream recipe</a> from Simply Recipes</strong>
Get the Coffee Heath Bar Ice Cream recipe from Simply Recipes

Rocky Road Ice Cream

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.annies-eats.com/2012/03/30/rocky-road-ice-cream/" target="_blank">Rocky Road Ice Cream recipe</a> from Annie's Eats</strong>
Get the Rocky Road Ice Cream recipe from Annie's Eats

Fresh Ricotta Ice Cream

<strong>Get the <a href="http://food52.com/recipes/18735-fresh-ricotta-ice-cream" target="_blank">Fresh Ricotta Ice Cream recipe</a> from PRST via Food52</strong>
Get the Fresh Ricotta Ice Cream recipe from PRST via Food52

Green Tea Ice Cream

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.annies-eats.com/2011/07/22/green-tea-ice-cream/" target="_blank">Green Tea Ice Cream recipe</a> from Annie's Eats</strong>
Get the Green Tea Ice Cream recipe from Annie's Eats

Oatmeal Ice Cream With Toasted Walnuts

<strong>Get the <a href="http://food52.com/recipes/21570-oatmeal-ice-cream-with-toasted-walnuts" target="_blank">Oatmeal Ice Cream with Toasted Walnuts recipe</a> from darksideofthespoon via Food52</strong>
Get the Oatmeal Ice Cream with Toasted Walnuts recipe from darksideofthespoon via Food52

Double Chocolate Liqueur Ice Cream

<strong>Get the <a href="http://passthesushi.com/double-chocolate-liqueur-ice-cream/" target="_blank">Double Chocolate Liqueur Ice Cream recipe</a> from Pass the Sushi</strong>
Get the Double Chocolate Liqueur Ice Cream recipe from Pass the Sushi

Rhubarb Ice Cream

<strong>Get the <a href="http://food52.com/recipes/12966-rhubarb-ice-cream" target="_blank">Rhubarb Ice Cream recipe</a> from nettleandquince via Food52</strong>
Get the Rhubarb Ice Cream recipe from nettleandquince via Food52

Mexican Chocolate Ice Cream

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/mexican_chocolate_ice_cream/" target="_blank">Mexican Chocolate Ice Cream recipe</a> from Simply Recipes</strong>
Get the Mexican Chocolate Ice Cream recipe from Simply Recipes

Maple Ice Cream

<strong>Get the <a href="http://food52.com/recipes/16735-maple-ice-cream-with-tipsy-raisins-and-maple-candied-cashews" target="_blank">Maple Ice Cream recipe</a> from cristinasciarra via Food52</strong>
Get the Maple Ice Cream recipe from cristinasciarra via Food52

Vanilla-Bourbon Walnut Crumble Ice Cream

<strong>Get the <a href="http://food52.com/recipes/18821-vanilla-bourbon-walnut-crumble-ice-cream" target="_blank">Vanilla-Bourbon Walnut Crumble Ice Cream recipe</a> from cristinasciarra via Food52</strong>
Get the Vanilla-Bourbon Walnut Crumble Ice Cream recipe from cristinasciarra via Food52

Chocolate Genmaicha Ice Cream

<strong>Get the <a href="http://food52.com/recipes/18873-chocolate-genmaicha-ice-cream" target="_blank">Chocolate Genmaicha Ice Cream recipe</a> from hardlikearmour via Food52</strong>
Get the Chocolate Genmaicha Ice Cream recipe from hardlikearmour via Food52

Mint Julep Ice Cream

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/mint_julep_ice_cream/" target="_blank">Mint Julep Ice Cream recipe</a> from Simply Recipes</strong>
Get the Mint Julep Ice Cream recipe from Simply Recipes

Apricot-Basil Ice Cream

<strong>Get the <a href="http://food52.com/recipes/5657-apricot-basil-ice-cream" target="_blank">Apricot-Basil Ice Cream recipe</a> from Rivka via Food52</strong>
Get the Apricot-Basil Ice Cream recipe from Rivka via Food52

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