A method for preparing a cooled food product in a machine, comprising: - a receiving seat, for accommodating a container comprising a heat transfer portion and containing a predefined amount of ingredients, comprising a heat exchange element having a heat exchange contact surface arranged to be in contact with an outer surface of a side wall of the container when the container is placed in the machine, - a cooling unit arranged for cooling the heat exchange element and - a stirring unit connectable to a stirring member and arranged for driving the stirring member according to a combination of movements, this combination of movements comprising a first rotational movement of the stirring member about its longitudinal axis which is arranged offset to a central longitudinal axis of the receiving seat and/or of the container and a closed loop movement of the stirring member about the central longitudinal axis of the container or seat, wherein the direction and amount of the velocities of the first rotational movement and of the closed loop movement of the stirring member are set depending on the cooled food product to produce, - a control unit which is configured to control at least the direction and amount of the velocities (ω1, ω2) of the stirring member, as a function of the type of product to be prepared, the method comprising the steps of: - placing the container containing a predefined amount of ingredients into the receiving seat of the machine, - cooling the container by means of the heat exchange element of the machine contacting an outer surface of a side wall of the container, - moving the stirring member by means of the stirring unit within the container with a certain combination of movements adjusted as a function of the type of product to be prepared, this combination of movements comprising a first rotational movement of the stirring member about its longitudinal axis which is arranged offset to a central longitudinal axis of the receiving seat and/or of the container and a closed loop movement of the stirring member about the central longitudinal axis of the container or seat, the direction and amount of the velocities of the first rotational movement and of the closed loop movement of the stirring member are set depending on the cooled food product to produce. - a receiving seat, for accommodating a container comprising a heat transfer portion and containing a predefined amount of ingredients, comprising a heat exchange element having a heat exchange contact surface arranged to be in contact with an outer surface of a side wall of the container when the container is placed in the machine, - a cooling unit arranged for cooling the heat exchange element and - a stirring unit connectable to a stirring member and arranged for driving the stirring member according to a combination of movements, - placing the container containing a predefined amount of ingredients into the receiving seat of the machine, - cooling the container by means of the heat exchange element of the machine contacting an outer surface of a side wall of the container, - moving the stirring member by means of the stirring unit within the container with a certain combination of movements adjusted as a function of the type of product to be prepared,