If it wasn’t this summer, it was far too long ago. Get out your ice cream maker and create this homemade ice cream recipe stat! Any grocery store carries vanilla ice cream, but it never tastes as lovely as the homemade version. Rich and creamy, this handcrafted ice cream boasts a luxurious vanilla flavor that even chocolate connoisseurs will appreciate. And the finest thing is that making this handmade ice cream is quite simple. We are discussing five ingredients and approximately fifteen minutes of hands-on preparation. Full disclosure: a few hands-off elements of this recipe call for some patience, but after you taste this homemade ice cream, I believe every moment of waiting was well worth it. It is the finest summer treat available.
Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe Ingredients
My recipe for homemade vanilla ice creamream starts with 5 basic ingredients:
- Heavy cream: It creates the rich ice cream base. For a dairy-free alternative, check this recipe for vegan ice cream recipe!
- Whole milk: Don’t recommend replacing it with reduced-fat or skim. Whole milk’s higher fat content ensures that the homemade ice cream comes out creamy, not icy.
- Cane sugar: For sweetness.
- Vanilla extract: For warm vanilla flavor. If you happen to have vanilla bean paste on hand, it’s a fun alternative. It gives the ice cream a rich vanilla flavor, plus a speckled appearance reminiscent of a vanilla bean.
- And salt: To make all the flavors pop!
Find the complete recipe with measurements below. What about eggs?
To get the ice cream richer or thicker, some homemade ice cream recipes call for eggs or egg yolks. I avoid using them here as excluding them renders this dish quite easy to prepare. And, for my money, it tastes just as good as one based on custard!
How to Make Homemade Ice Cream
So, you have your ingredients! Here’s my simple method for how to make ice cream:
Firstly, prepare the ingredients: At least 12 hours before you want to make homemade ice cream, freeze the bowl of your ice cream maker. You must thoroughly chill the ice cream to ensure its firmness.
Next, make the ice cream base: I recommend doing this step anywhere from 2 to 24 hours in advance. If you do it less than 2 hours ahead, the ice cream won’t thicken as nicely when you churn it.
Combine the cream, milk, sugar, vanilla, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Warm for 5 minutes, whisking frequently, until the sugar is fully dissolved and the mixture is warm throughout.
Then, chill the ice cream base. Transfer it to a heatproof bowl, cover, and chill for 2 hours or overnight.
Churning Homemade Ice Cream
Churn the ice cream mixture in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions when you are ready to produce ice cream. Typically, churning the ice cream base for 20 to 30 minutes, we use the KitchenAid stand mixer’s ice cream maker attachment—we’re obsessed! Also noteworthy is the Cuisinart ice cream machine.
Like soft serve, the ice cream will have a velvety texture right out of the churning process. That tastes great, but after two-plus hours in the freezer, I prefer it even more. It is then absolutely scoopable—perfect for a cone, summer desserts, or on its own with toppings!
Toppings & Variations
This vanilla ice cream is wonderful plain, but toppings certainly don’t hurt! Here are a few topping ideas to get you started:
- Try something fruity: like strawberry compote, blueberry compote, or your favorite fresh fruit. Diced bananas, blueberries, and cherries would all be good choices.
- Go nuts: Drizzle on peanut butter or almond butter, or sprinkle on toasted almonds or peanuts. Shredded coconut is a yummy topping too!
- Choose chocolate: Chocolate chips are always a great option, but crumbled chocolate chip cookies or brownie chunks take a sundae to the next level.
- Keep it classic: You can never go wrong with salted caramel sauce, hot fudge, and/or whipped cream.
Not feeling plain old vanilla? To make a different ice cream flavor, fold 2 to 2 1/2 cups of finely diced mix-ins into the ice cream immediately after churning. Adding fresh strawberries makes a wonderful strawberry ice cream, but another fresh fruit, mini chocolate chips, or cookie or brownie crumbles would be great too.
Storage
Transfer the soft ice cream from the ice cream maker into a quart-size airtight container using a spatula. To prevent ice crystals from forming, press a piece of foil or plastic wrap onto the top of the ice cream if desired.
Freeze for at least two hours and up to one month. On the first day, the ice cream will be easy to scoop, but after that, you might have to let it sit at room temperature for several minutes before scooping it. It gets firmer with more freezer time.
What to Serve with Homemade Ice Cream
Although we enjoy our handmade vanilla ice cream on its own, it also goes quite well with other summer fare. Free Health Fair, Any of these dishes call need a scoop to cover the top:
