When you make ice cream in an ice cream machine, it comes out soft, like a soft serve consistency. If you prefer it to be harder, you can spread it in an ice cream or loaf pan and put it in the freezer for 2 hours. Any longer than that, and the ice cream will be rock hard and nearly impossible to scoop. If it gets that hard, you'll have to let it sit out on the counter for 10-15 minutes before attempting to scoop.