How to Make Eskimo Ice Cream

We love ice cream — so much that we often make it ourselves to our satisfaction. Alaska natives have a distinct type of ice cream called “Akutaq,” commonly known as Eskimo ice cream.

It isn’t the creamy ice cream we all know, but a mixture of reindeer fat or tallow, freshly fallen water or snow, fresh berries, seal oil, and ground fish. Alaskans enjoy sharing their local foods with newcomers (referred to as Cheekajkos).

Today, Eskimo ice cream is typically made with Crisco vegetable shortening instead of fat. Some people even add raisins and sugar. Check out the modern recipe below for this traditional arctic dessert if you want to try it.

What is Eskimo Ice Cream?

Eskimo ice cream, or Akutaq (pronounced ah-goo-duck), is a delicacy that Alaskan natives have prepared and enjoyed for centuries. Akutaq is a Yupik word that translates to “mix it together,” and its variations include “agutak,” “agutaq,” “aqutaq,” and “ackutuk.”

This concoction is high in calories and provided enough energy for the local hunters during long expeditions in cold and dangerous regions. Traditionally, the women made Akutaq after the first catch of a seal or polar bear.

They shared this delicacy with the community members as a meal, dessert, spread, or snack at funerals, potlatches, celebrating a boy’s first hunt, and other special ceremonies. 

It can also be made using caribou meat and fat, moose meat and fat, seal oil, berries, and other Alaskan ingredients. The kind of berries used was usually determined by the region of Alaska lived, and families had their recipes.

How is Eskimo Ice Cream Different From Regular Ice Cream?

Unlike the dairy-filled and creamy version we’re used to, Eskimo ice cream is made from animal fats and oils with a mixture of fresh berries and, sometimes, ground fish.

While regular ice cream contains crushed ingredients or puree, modern Eskimo ice cream is made with fluffy dressings and whole mixed berries.

5 Steps to Make Eskimo Ice Cream

You can make modern Eskimo ice cream easily within just 2 hours. Grab all of these ingredients and follow the steps below.

Ingredients

• 1 cup of Crisco vegetable shortening
• 1 cup of sugar, granulated
• 1/2 cup of water berry juice or 2 cups of loose snow
• 4 cups of mixed berries

Step 1

Slice the Crisco into little pieces and place them in a pot over low heat to melt. Stir slowly and steadily until the Crisco is melted. Ensure the mixture doesn’t get much hotter than your hand can bear.

Step 2

As soon as the Crisco is melted completely, add the sugar as you continue to stir. Continue stirring until the sugar is fully dissolved and liquid.

Step 3

Turn off the heat once the mixture is completely melted into a liquid. Remove the pot and continue to stir gradually. Add in the first 1/4 cup of water or 1 cup of snow to cool the mixture and make it thicker, more fluffy, and white. Then add the remaining 1/4 cup of water or 1 cup of snow.

Step 4

Fold in the berries when the mixture is as white and fluffy as possible. You can form it into any shape or place it in any container and put it in the freezer to firm.

Step 5

Once your ice cream gets firm after freezing, remove it and allow it to sit for an hour before serving.

Conclusion

Eskimo ice cream is delicious and easy to prepare. We recommend using fresh berries in the season to get the most out of this frozen dessert. You can also use sweeteners or fruits to make this ice cream even sweeter.