Vanilla Ice Cream: the effortless recipe for homemade ice cream

Who doesn't love ice cream? It's the perfect summery dessert to eat on its own or can help jazz up all sorts of tasty baked treats. Without a doubt, the best ice cream is homemade ice cream. This easy no-churn vanilla ice cream recipe is the most popular flavor among ice cream lovers out there – you can make homemade ice cream in a flash and enjoy a bowl whenever you please.

This delicious dessert has a rich, creamy yet not icy texture and wonderful vanilla flavor. It's an egg-free, no-churn recipe, and you don't need an ice cream maker to whip up a batch at home. All you need to make homemade vanilla ice cream is four ingredients and an electric mixer (or stand mixer)! Ready to get started? Let's dive in!

Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream Ingredients

You only need four ingredients to make this sensational vanilla ice cream at home.

Condensed milk gives the ice cream its sweetness and a rich, creamy texture. Fat-free, low-fat, and whole condensed milk work in this ice cream recipe. Heavy whipping cream gives the ice cream its soft, creamy base. Make sure your whipping cream and condensed milk are very cold. Cold cream and condensed milk will help your ice cream to set well.

To flavor the ice cream, you'll need good quality pure vanilla extract and granulated sugar.

How to Make Vanilla Ice Cream

It couldn't be easier to make this delicious, decadent no-churn vanilla ice cream. Start by whipping the heavy cream in the bowl of your stand mixer. Beat it on medium-high until soft peaks form, but don't overwhip it otherwise your ice cream will separate. Next, add the condensed milk, sugar and vanilla extract in another bowl and whisk.

Pour the condensed milk mixture into the heavy cream and mix everything to combine. Place the mixture into a container and freeze the ice cream for at least 6 hours up to overnight to set. Enjoy your homemade ice cream as a topping for your favorite baked desserts, or eat it on its own!

Tips for Making No-churn Vanilla Ice Cream

If you don't like your ice cream to be too sweet, lower the amount of condensed milk by about a quarter.

You can use cream of coconut as a substitute for condensed milk. However, condensed milk is the best option for creamy, rich, soft ice cream.

Add other ingredients to flavor your ice cream. Flavored extracts like orange, almond, lemon, and mint are tasty options. You can also try adding rose water or orange blossom water to your ice cream.

To make richer ice cream with a more custard-like texture, add one to two egg yolks to the mixture.

You can add a tablespoon or so of vodka to prevent the ice cream from becoming too icy, if you want.

Enjoy your homemade vanilla ice cream with your favorite pies or tarts, drizzle some chocolate or caramel over the top, eat it with fresh fruit, or make it into ice cream sandwiches.

How to Store Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

Keep your homemade vanilla ice cream in an airtight container. Lay some plastic wrap over the top, then secure the lid. It will stay fresh for up to 6 weeks in the freezer.

More Ice Cream Recipes You'll Like

• No churn lemon ice cream
• Mint ice cream
• Blackberry ice cream

Instructions

Pour the whipping cream into the bowl of your stand mixer. Beat on medium-high to form soft peaks.

In another bowl, pour in the condensed milk.

Add the granulated sugar.

Add the vanilla extract.

Mix to combine.

Pour the condensed milk mixture into the heavy cream bowl and mix until combined.

Put the mixture into a container and level the top with a spatula. Freeze for at least 6 hours.

When the time has elapsed, take the vanilla ice cream out of the freezer.

Serve the vanilla ice cream in scoops and enjoy!

Notes

If you don't have a stand mixer use a hand-held electric mixer.