Ice cream is a versatile, easy to serve dessert for any type of party. One of the most important aspects of planning for a party is determining how much you need to serve each of your guests. There is no way to determine the exact amount your guests will eat, but there are ways to get a close estimate. The age of your guests, their typical appetite, and the amount of other refreshments you serve will all affect this estimate. Follow the simple calculations below and you should know the right amount of ice cream to purchase for your party.
Estimate the amount of ice cream
Make a list of the guests that will attend your event. Each guest will likely eat at least three scoops of ice cream, which translates to about 1 and a half cups. If you are planning a child’s party, two scoops is probably a more accurate estimate. Next, multiply the total number of scoops by 4 ounces, which is the average size of a scoop of ice cream. Ice cream for 15 guests would total 45 scoops or 180 ounces of ice cream.
Convert ounces to gallons
Now that you know how many ounces of ice cream you need, convert them to gallons. A true gallon consists of 128 ounces, although many containers labeled as a gallon only contain about 96 ounces. If you are unsure about the conversion for the brand you wish to purchase, simply keep the measurement as ounces. You can also purchase this dessert from an ice cream store to help you get the right amount.
Next, divide the amount of ice cream you need between the various flavors you want to serve. For example, if you are serving 15 people and you want to serve chocolate and vanilla, 90 ounces of each is sufficient. With this estimate, two gallons of each would be more than enough to satisfy your guests.
KaleidoScoops offers a wide range of premium, hand dipped ice cream flavors and ice cream products. Our cooperative business model provides ample flexibility for independent store owners. You take on minimal risk with no royalty or advertising fees. Our store owners also have less restrictive guidelines and requirements than franchisee owners. To learn more about our business model and whether a KaleidoScoops location may be a good fit for you, call us at (877) 426-8488. You can also Contact Us by email for more information about our products and Get the Scoop on joining an ice cream cooperative.
FAQs
But the amount of ice cream you provide should depend on the amount of guests you have coming. For each person arriving, you should have at least three half-cup (four-ounce) scoops. That totals to 1-1/2 cups of ice cream per person.
How do you calculate ice cream per person? ›
If you want to avoid having too little or too much ice cream (is there such a thing?!), plan out how much you'll need per person. Jenn suggests accounting for 1 1/2 cups of ice cream per person. (To get an idea of what that means, note that a gallon of ice cream contains about 16 cups!)
How many scoops of ice cream per serving? ›
1 scoop of ice cream is roughly 1/2 cup. 1 serving of ice cream is the same, 1/2 cup or 3-4 oz. There are 2 cups in a pint or 4 scoops of ice cream. There are 4 cups/2 pints in a quart so 8 scoops of ice cream.
How many ice cream scoops in 3 gallons of ice cream? ›
There are 96 scoops of ice cream in a 3 gallon tub. However, you might want to trim that down by a scoop to accommodate for any ice cream lost in sampling and serving.
How many gallons of ice cream for 60 people? ›
3-Gallon Tubs
If there is a flavor you do not see, let us know we may have it available! Each 3-gallon tub yields approximately 50-60 servings.
How many gallons of ice cream do I need for 100 people? ›
Gallon
| ICE CREAM SERVING SIZE | 24 SERVINGS | 100 SERVINGS |
|---|
| 3 ounces (1 scoop) | 3 quarts | 3 1/2 gallons |
Generally, an ice cream scoop is 1/2 cup of ice cream or 4 ounces. There are usually 32 scoops in a gallon of ice cream, and about 4 scoops in a pint.
How many does 1 gallon of ice cream serve? ›
How Much Should I Make? An average scoop shop serving of ice cream is about three ounces by volume, or 3/16ths of a pint, so if you want to give 30 people each one serving of ice cream, count on making four quarts (one gallon).
What is the best ratio for ice cream? ›
So, your standard ratio is now around 2:1:. 5, cream:milk:sugar. If you like mnemonics you'll notice the numbers halve each time.
How to keep ice cream cold at an event? ›
Packing a cooler with dry ice–the solid form of carbon dioxide which is colder than regular ice–will keep your ice cream in top shape for your party.
1 hand cupped is equivalent to a 1/2 cup serving. You can use this tool for measuring food items such as pastas, potatoes, nuts, and even ice cream. A Cupped Hand = 1/2 cup The Palm = 3 oz.
How much ice do I need for 80 people? ›
We recommend planning between 1 and 2 pounds of ice per person, based on the type of event and your need for the ice, serving vs cooling. The type of event you're hosting or attending matters.
How many people will 2 gallons of ice cream feed? ›
For example, if you are serving 15 people and you want to serve chocolate and vanilla, 90 ounces of each is sufficient. With this estimate, two gallons of each would be more than enough to satisfy your guests. KaleidoScoops offers a wide range of premium, hand dipped ice cream flavors and ice cream products.
How much food do I need for 80 guests? ›
Rules to Plan By
Each adult will consume 1 pound of food total; children, about 1/2 pound. The more options you have, the less you need of each; decrease the main course portion sizes by 1 to 2 ounces if served on a buffet. Guests will always eat — and drink — more at night than during the day.
How many servings are in 1 gallon of ice cream? ›
(e) A gallon of ice cream contains exactly 32 servings, and each serving has 165 Calories, of which 30.0% are derived from fat.
