We Try Food Experiments Without Instructions
We Try Food Experiments Without Instructions is a easy American recipe that serves 4. 400 calories per serving. Recipe by Good Mythical Morning on YouTube.
Prep: 5 min | Cook: 10 min | Total: 20 min
Cost: $87.96 total, $21.99 per serving
Ingredients
- 200 g Chocolate (semi‑sweet or milk) (break into small chunks; use good quality chocolate for smooth melt)
- 100 g Dry Ice (solid CO₂) (handle with gloves; keep in insulated container until use)
- 1 tbsp Corn Starch (Maizena) (optional; can be sprinkled on dry ice to observe extra fizz)
- 1 piece Lollipop (for dipping) (use as a fun dip handle; any sturdy candy stick works)
- 1 pair Gloves (heat‑resistant) (protect hands from dry‑ice burns; disposable kitchen gloves work)
- 250 ml Milk (whole or 2%) (use a shallow plate for best visual effect)
- 1 tsp Dish Soap (liquid) (any clear, low‑scent liquid soap; a drop is enough)
- 3 drops Food Coloring (red, blue, yellow) (use one drop of each color; can substitute with natural food dyes)
- 1 piece Bubba Straw (wide‑mouth straw) (optional; can be used to blow gently on milk for extra motion)
- 2 pieces Chopsticks (for handling dry ice and stirring chocolate)
- 1 piece Plate (shallow) (for the milk‑soap‑color experiment)
Instructions
Safety First
Put on the heat‑resistant gloves and ensure you are working in a well‑ventilated area. Keep dry ice away from children and pets.
Time: PT2M
Prepare Chocolate
Break the chocolate into small chunks and place them in a mixing bowl.
Time: PT1M
Add Dry Ice to Chocolate
Using chopsticks, carefully add a handful of dry‑ice pieces to the chocolate. Stir gently; you will see vigorous bubbling as the CO₂ sublimates.
Time: PT2M
Optional Corn Starch Sprinkle
Sprinkle 1 tbsp of corn starch over the dry‑ice‑chocolate mixture and watch the extra fizz created by the starch particles.
Time: PT1M
Taste Test (Optional)
Use the lollipop as a dip handle and gently touch the chocolate‑dry‑ice mixture. Observe the crackling, but do not swallow any dry‑ice fragments.
Time: PT1M
Set Up Milk Experiment
Pour 250 ml of milk onto the shallow plate, spreading it into an even thin layer.
Time: PT1M
Add Dish Soap
Drop 1 tsp of liquid dish soap into the center of the milk. The soap will begin to break the surface tension.
Time: PT1M
Add Food Coloring
Add one drop each of red, blue, and yellow food coloring around the soap drop. Watch the colors swirl outward.
Time: PT2M
Optional Air Motion
If desired, gently blow through the Bubba straw across the milk surface to create additional movement.
Time: PT1M
Cleanup
Allow any remaining dry ice to fully sublimate before disposing of it in a well‑ventilated area. Wash all utensils with warm, soapy water.
Time: PT5M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 400
- Protein
- 5 g
- Carbohydrates
- 30 g
- Fat
- 25 g
- Fiber
- 1 g
Dietary info: Vegetarian
Allergens: Milk, Soy (if chocolate contains soy lecithin)
Ingredient Substitutions
- Instead of Chocolate (semi‑sweet or milk): dark chocolate, white chocolate
- Instead of Dry Ice (solid CO₂): none – essential for sublimation effect
- Instead of Corn Starch (Maizena): potato starch, arrowroot powder
- Instead of Lollipop (for dipping): marshmallow on a stick, fruit skewer
- Instead of Gloves (heat‑resistant): tongs with insulated handle
- Instead of Milk (whole or 2%): plant‑based milk (will reduce effect)
- Instead of Dish Soap (liquid): hand soap (less effective)
- Instead of Food Coloring (red, blue, yellow): gel food coloring, natural beet, turmeric, blueberry juice
- Instead of Bubba Straw (wide‑mouth straw): regular straw
- Instead of Chopsticks: tongs, spoon
- Instead of Plate (shallow): baking sheet
Equipment Needed
- Mixing Bowl
- Gloves (heat‑resistant)
- Chopsticks
- Plate (shallow)
- Bubba Straw (optional)
- Spoon or spatula
- Measuring spoons
- Timer (optional)
- Trash bin (for spent dry ice)
- Ventilated area or outdoor space
Critical Steps — Do Not Skip
- Handling dry ice with gloves to prevent frostbite
- Ensuring dry ice fully sublimates before disposal
- Adding only a small amount of dish soap for optimal color motion
Chef Tips from the Video
- Use high‑cocoa‑percentage chocolate for a richer flavor
- Chill the bowl before adding dry ice to keep the chocolate from hardening too fast
- For a more dramatic milk effect, use whole milk rather than skim.
Troubleshooting
Chocolate does not bubble after adding dry ice
Make sure the dry ice is fresh and at –78 °C; if it has warmed, it will sublimate too slowly. Add smaller pieces gradually.
Milk colors do not move
Add a fresh drop of dish soap; too little soap will not break surface tension enough.
Dry ice melts too quickly and creates a mess
Work on a tray lined with parchment paper and keep the area cool.
Storage
Refrigerator: Do not store dry ice; use within 15 minutes of preparation. Chocolate can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.
Freezer: Not applicable.
Room temperature: Milk‑soap mixture should be consumed immediately; it does not store well.
Make-Ahead Tips
- Dry ice cannot be stored; prepare the chocolate portion just before the experiment
- Milk‑soap reaction is best performed fresh; it loses motion after a few minutes
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cultural significance and history of the dry ice chocolate bubbling experiment in American food science education?
The dry ice chocolate experiment is a staple in American classroom demonstrations, illustrating sublimation and gas‑release reactions. It’s often used to engage students with a dramatic, edible visual that connects chemistry to everyday foods like chocolate.
How does the milk‑soap‑food‑coloring reaction fit into the broader American science‑learning tradition?
The milk‑soap color swirl is a classic American kitchen chemistry demo that shows surface tension and the hydrophobic effect. It’s been featured in TV shows, science museums, and school labs for decades as a safe, colorful way to teach basic physics.
What traditional ingredients are used in the dry ice chocolate experiment versus acceptable substitutes?
Traditional ingredients are plain chocolate and solid carbon dioxide (dry ice). Substitutes can include white or dark chocolate for flavor variation, but the dry ice cannot be replaced if you want the sublimation effect.
What occasions or celebrations is the milk‑soap color swirl traditionally associated with in American culture?
While not tied to a specific holiday, the milk‑soap swirl is popular at birthday parties, science fairs, and family gatherings where a quick, eye‑catching experiment adds entertainment value.
What other American kitchen‑science dishes pair well with the dry ice chocolate and milk‑soap experiments?
Pair them with popcorn‑balloon experiments, homemade soda‑fizz drinks, or simple edible slime recipes for a full science‑themed snack menu that keeps guests curious and satisfied.
What makes the dry ice chocolate bubbling experiment special or unique in American experimental cooking?
It uniquely combines a solid food (chocolate) with a phase‑change material (dry ice) to create visible bubbling and a temporary “frozen” chocolate surface, demonstrating sublimation in a tasty, memorable way.
What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making the dry ice chocolate bubbling experiment?
Common mistakes include handling dry ice without gloves, adding too much chocolate which can insulate the ice, and trying to eat the chocolate before the dry ice fully sublimates, which can cause a cold‑burn injury.
Why does this recipe use a single drop of dish soap instead of a larger amount for the milk color swirl?
A single drop is enough to break surface tension without overwhelming the milk; too much soap creates a uniform film that stops the colorful motion, reducing the visual effect.
Can I make the milk‑soap color swirl ahead of time and how should I store it?
The reaction only works immediately after adding soap and food coloring. If you need to prep ahead, keep the milk separate and add soap and colors right before serving; it cannot be stored for later use.
What does the YouTube channel Good Mythical Morning specialize in?
The YouTube channel Good Mythical Morning, hosted by Rhett & Link, specializes in comedic talk‑show style content that often includes quirky food challenges, experiments, and pop‑culture discussions, blending humor with culinary curiosity.
How does the YouTube channel Good Mythical Morning's approach to food‑science experiments differ from other cooking channels?
Good Mythical Morning frames food‑science experiments as part of a game‑show format with points, lifelines, and comedic banter, whereas most cooking channels focus on step‑by‑step recipe instruction without the competitive, entertainment‑driven structure.
What other American food‑science recipes is the YouTube channel Good Mythical Morning known for?
Good Mythical Morning is known for experiments like the “Soda‑Pop Geyser,” “Mentos‑Coke Volcano,” and the “Spicy Ramen Challenge,” all of which blend everyday snacks with exaggerated scientific flair for comedic effect.
Last updated: August 24, 2026
