Homemade Ice Cream is the quintessential summer treat, isn’t it?
This homemade ice cream recipe can also be called the easiest (and best!) ice cream you will ever make or taste. I’ve been making this ice cream at least once a month for over 5 years now.
Can anyone ever turn down a scoop of rich and creamy homemade vanilla ice cream? This ice cream recipe is the easiest once I make and it’s adaptable for whichever add-ins you’re craving.
I try to keep a stash of crumbled cookies, brownies, and other treats in the freezer so that I can toss in a few handfuls whenever I’m making a fresh batch of ice cream.
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HOMEMADE ICE CREAM
While homemade ice cream is a staple in our freezer year round, the add-in potentials for this particular ice cream are endless. I’ve filled this ice cream with chunks of brownies, bits of cookie dough, pieces of oatmeal cookies, and swirls of salted caramel sauce.
I’ve also topped this homemade ice cream with warm chocolate sauce, and my favorite of all this simple berry sauce. There has yet to be a combination that we didn’t love.
I probably don’t even need to mention it, but this Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream is a pretty much dream come true for topping Southern Peach Cobbler, Grandma’s Cherry Flop, an Old Fashioned Apple Crisp, or this Strawberry Rhubarb Crunch.
How To Make Homemade Ice Cream
With just five simple ingredients, you can have this smooth and creamy homemade vanilla ice cream at your fingertips as well.
When I first started making homemade ice cream, I initially followed the recommended recipes and tried several custard-style ice creams. Traditionally, many ice creams begin with an egg custard.
While a custard base does make for an amazing ice cream, don’t get me wrong, custard ice cream is rich as can be and I quickly found that it just isn’t my thing.
Besides, I’ll be honest, I like to make things simpler and not more complicated in the kitchen wherever possible.
When I discovered Philadelphia-style ice cream, it was a complete game changer. Philadelphia style ice cream is simply ice cream made with no eggs.
I’ve played with the basic ratios and the method over the past few years and I’m telling you now that this recipe is hands down, the BEST simple vanilla ice cream I have ever made.
Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream
This ice cream is dead simple. Stir everything together in a saucepan, simmer, Stir, Chill and Freeze; less than 10 minutes of actual prep time.
If I put the mixture together in the morning, and then freeze it in the afternoon, we are easily having this for dessert the same evening.
However, if you are in a rush, you can simply stir everything together cold and pour it into the machine. I can’t deny that simmering it just long enough to dissolve the sugar and then cooling it again does makes it even better.
Truthfully though, I’m impatient about half the time, so I skip the simmer step frequently. This is fantastic ice cream however you make it.
This ice cream works beautifully in every ice cream maker I’ve tried. Hand crank, electric crank, freezer bowl, and ice cream compressor. Homemade Ice Cream turns out great in each one!
(And yes, I may have a wee bit of a thing for ice cream, because I have each of those machines and love them all!)
Ice Cream Recipes
Once you have an ice cream maker in your kitchen, get ready for all the ice cream recipes you can handle.
These recipes for Rocky Road Ice Cream, Cinnamon Ice Cream, Blueberries and Cream Ice Cream, and Cafe con Leche Ice Cream all need to be on your list to try.
Raspberry Ripple Ice Cream by The View from Great Island and Peanut Butter Ice Cream by Pint Sized Baker both look delicious as well.
Homemade Ice Cream Recipe
- Pour 1 cup of the cream into a saucepan and add the sugar, salt. Scrape the seeds of the vanilla bean into the pot and then add the vanilla pod to the pot.
- Warm the mixture over medium heat, just until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat and add the remaining cream, milk, and vanilla. Stir to combine and chill in the refrigerator.
- When ready to churn, remove the vanilla pod, whisk mixture again and pour into ice cream maker. Churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Transfer the finished ice cream to an airtight container and place in the freezer until ready to serve.
Rich and creamy homemade vanilla ice cream recipe that only requires five ingredients!
- 1¾ cups heavy cream
- 1¼ cup whole milk
- ¾ cup sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract or 1 vanilla bean split in half lengthwise or
- Optional: 2 cups of add-ins - soft brownies, cookies, and blondies work great
Pour 1 cup of the cream into a saucepan and add the sugar, salt. Scrape the seeds of the vanilla bean into the pot and then add the vanilla pod to the pot. Warm the mixture over medium heat, just until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat and add the remaining cream, milk, and vanilla extract (if using extract). Stir to combine and chill in the refrigerator.
When ready to churn, remove the vanilla pod, whisk mixture again and pour into ice cream maker. Churn according to the manufacturer's instructions. Transfer the finished ice cream to an airtight container and place in the freezer until ready to serve. Enjoy!
Feel free to skip the simmer step and simply whisk everything together, then pour directly into the ice cream maker. The ice cream is absolutely delicious this way, as well as when simmered and chilled first.
Lisa Voorhees says
I am making this ice cream as I’m writing. In the past when I have made homemade ice cream and place in the freezer it becomes so hard to scoop! Will this recipe do the same? I have heard if you put a small amount of vodka as its churning it will prevent this from happening. Do you know if that will work? Just not sure if I should try or if you have another suggestion besides leaving on counter to soften and melt. I guess i just want it to have a nice consistency. Like real ice cream not a milk ice cube.
Mary Younkin says
This ice cream is soft right out of the freezer, Lisa.
Melissa says
I came across this when searching for a quick and easy vanilla ice cream recipe and boy did it deliver! Reminded me of icedream soft serve from Chick fil a! Thanks for sharing this great recipe!
Mary Younkin says
I’m so happy to hear that you are enjoying the ice cream, Melissa!
Ginger Bell says
Fabulous! I don’t care for custard either, and since I use Aguave syrup instead of sugar I just put all the ingredients together and turned on the compressor ice cream machine. Great! We made turtle sundaes….hot fudge, caramel, nuts & whipped cream. Thank you! I wanted something really good and equally easy and fast to make because we make ice cream often.
Mary Younkin says
Turtle Sundaes sound delicious, Ginger!
Mary says
If you don’t have an ice cream maker then you can’t make it and I read nearly the whole long article before I realized.
Mary Younkin says
Sorry about that, Mary. It sounds like you’re looking for a “no-churn ice cream recipe” – luckily there are plenty to choose from!
amber says
based it off this recipe. altered to fit i the glass dish. 2 cups heavy whipping cream, 2 cups half and half cream, 1 cup sugar, 2-3 tsp vanilla or ½ a vanilla bean, 1/8 tsp salt. — In a chilled 13×9 inch glass flat casserole dish, Combine until sugar is dissolved using a hand mix. Chill 20-30 mins, starting to ice up, hand mix again don’t overdo it or will end up tasting like sweet butter. Freeze again 20-30 mins. Beat again. Now (fold in or layer in 2 layers and on top add Any mix of 2 cups diced Soft brownies & candy bars or Short bread & White chocolate, Chocolate cookies & caramel. Oreo & cream cheese, and or Drizzle Chocolate, Strawberry, any preserve syrup mix with some Cream to prevent became a solid rock. Diced cream cheese and any refrozen fruit is great to.
Mary Younkin says
Thanks for all the no-churn tips, Amber!
Teresa says
THIS WAS SOOOO GOOD! MADE as directed with the simmering step – It dissolves the sugar and OH-MY-GOODNESS!! YUMMO!! Thank you!!
Mary Younkin says
I’m so happy that you like it, Teresa!
Michelle says
This is up there with “best” and certainly wins as “easiest.” I’m sharing with picky eaters so just made plain vanilla, once my guests are gone, I will try with modifications 🙂
Mary Younkin says
I’m thrilled that you’re enjoying the ice cream, Michelle!
Jean says
Hi, can this ice cream be made with lankanto monk fruit sweetener or stevia?
Mary Younkin says
I have no idea how that might work, Jean. I’ve never tried it myself, but if you scan the comments, you’ll see some alternatives that others have tried.
SoozAnn says
Hi Mary…
Just wanted to know if almond milk will work with this recipe? I have friends that are lactose intolerant and would love to make them some…But today I am going to use whole chocolate milk for this recipe…maybe throw in a little chocolate syrup….can’t wait to try it…
Thanks ;o)
Mary Younkin says
You definitely won’t have the same creaminess without heavy cream. You could make an “ice milk” using almond milk, but it really won’t work the same way. If you enjoy coconut, there is a dairy-free coconut ice cream recipe here on the site that many people love.
Angely Perez says
This was amazing! I wouldn’t change anything at all.
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad you like it, Angely!
amber says
ty love my ice cream do you have any non dairy options: allergic to dairy. Please and Thank you
amber says
found the recipe here on coconut milk thank you. Giving it a go 🙂
Mary Younkin says
Yes, we do! I see that you found the coconut milk recipe already. I hope you love it too!
Fay Worrilow says
Hello sweet friends! Yesterday I had so.e friends over for lunch, I had made this delicious ice cream and mixed in Oreo cookies. I served it in a martini glass garnished with Oreo crumbs and an Oreo cookie. It was wonderful! I wish I had gotten a picture, but I was too busy. Thank you, thank you for this recipe!
Mary Younkin says
That sounds lovely, Fay!
Jennifer cox says
For the longest I had an ice cream machine sitting in my closet. I decided to give it a try and chose your receipe. This is the best vanilla ice cream I have ever made. It’s a keeper forever. Sorry, no more store bought ice cream for me. Thank you.
Mary Younkin says
I’m so happy that you love the ice cream, Jennifer!
Sweetoholic says
This recipe looks simple to make. My hubby wants root beer ice cream. Anyone half any recommendations on how to change this recipe up. Do I leave out the vanilla extract entirely and use Watkins Root beer extract? How much Watkins Root beer extract would I use. Thanks in advance for any suggestions. 😃
Mary Younkin says
ooooh, that’s worth trying! Let me know how it turns out.