Can I Re-Freeze Ice Cream?

[Frosty Melon]

I got some Graeter's ice cream yesterday as a gift, delivered in a styrofoam box with dry ice. I opened the box at around 3 pm. I left one pint by accident in the box overnight. This morning at 9 am I cursed myself and put it in the freezer. Will this be ok, health-wise? I'm sure the consistency will change, but how will the fact that it was at room temperature (and had seemingly melted) potentially affect me?

[rossbimale]

yes you can, but it doesn't taste too good. not sure why. last time i left ice cream out, and it melted, i used it to flavour milk shakes, but didn't refreeze.

[chocolatetartguy]

Just out of curiosity, was the Graeter's sent by the Montgomery Inn folks.

[ekammin]

I wouldn't think so. Ice cream usually contains a considerbale amount of air. which would come out when it melts. You would be left with a hard, rather unappealing mess when you refreeze it, along with ice crystals from its water content.

[Frosty Melon]

Great suggestions, guys. It actually turned out ok...the consistency was a little frosty/flaky but the flavor is there. Thanks for the tips.

[chowser]

I wouldn't refreeze it w/out an ice cream maker because you'll end up with hard frozen sweetened cream that'll be hard to scoop and be icy. I'd probably bake up brownies, molten chocolate cake, apple pie, etc. and have it drizzled over that.

[babette feasts]

Do you have an ice cream machine? You would have been better off re-spinning than just sticking it back in the freezer.

[alkapal]

i don't know the ingredients of graeter's ice cream,
http://www.graeters.com/frenchpot.cfm

but actually, after looking at their process, it looks like they are a quality custard ice cream product.

if refreezing did not give you the texture you like, then melt some chocolate, blend it in, put it over some pound cake! or crumble the cake, and layer with it alternately the creamy mixture in a trifle bowl or individual stemmed glasses, up and up. chill and top with whipped cream and nuts for a decadent treat.

healthwise, no problem. let us know how you fared!

[bitsubeats]

ehhhh I'm pretty sure you'll be okay (I'd eat it and I leave meat out overnight!)

The ice crystals will be huge and all jagged, so yes the consistency will be all out of whack so to say

[Glencora]

My SO has often let ice cream melt and has refrozen it. Hasn't hurt him yet. Did the level go down in the container? I think that's because the air they pump into the ice cream is gone. So, yes, the consistency will be different.