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Are you looking for a rich and creamy vanilla ice cream recipe? This classic vanilla ice cream recipe comes together with just a handful of ingredients and an ice cream maker. It is rich, creamy, luscious, and incredibly simple to make.
Why You'll Love This Vanilla Ice Cream
It's time to dust off that ice cream maker and put it to use to make rich, creamy vanilla ice cream. You are going to love this recipe for so many reasons!
- Super Simple Recipe. Just 4 ingredients and an ice cream maker. It's so easy AND fun to make!
- Quality Control. No eggs, no weird additives-just the good stuff.
- Extra Creamy. Thanks to slow churning, it's richer and creamier than anything store-bought.
Happy Cooking! xo Kristen
Recipe Highlights
Ingredients for Vanilla Ice Cream
- Milk: Be sure to use whole milk or half and half for the creamiest, richest ice cream. I have had success using 2% milk, but skim milk results in an icy, not creamy consistency.
- Heavy Cream: Be sure to use heavy whipping cream, not a product labeled whipping cream.
- Vanilla Extract: Do not use imitation vanilla extract, there is no substitute for pure vanilla extract when making vanilla ice cream.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar is best for this recipe. Use ¾ cup to 1 cup of sugar. I find ¾ cup perfect, but if you like things REALLY sweet, use a full 1 cup of sugar.
How to Make Vanilla Ice Cream Using an Ice Cream Maker
The following tips are provided to help you achieve perfect results. You will find the ingredient quantities and detailed instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Freeze the Base of the Ice Cream Maker. Pop the bowl in the freezer at least 12 hours before making ice cream.
Kristen's Tip
If you have the space, store the base of the ice cream machine in the freezer so it's always ready.
- Make the Ice Cream Base. In a saucepan, heat milk, cream, and sugar over medium heat. Whisk often and don't let it boil-just heat until the sugar dissolves.
- Add Vanilla. Remove the milk mixture from the heat and THEN stir in vanilla extract or vanilla beans. This will keep that rich vanilla flavor intact.
- Chill the Mixture. I recommend transferring the mixture to a large glass measuring cup, as this will make the ice cream mixture so much easier to pour into the ice cream maker. Then cover and refrigerate until fully chilled.
how long does it take to chill the Mixture?
Plan for at least 2 hours, overnight is best.
- Churn the Ice Cream. Assemble your ice cream maker with the frozen bowl. Turn it on, then slowly pour in the chilled mixture. Churn for 20-25 minutes, or until it thickens.
- Serve or Freeze. Enjoy right away as soft-serve (my favorite), or transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for 2-3 hours until firm and scoopable.
Serving Suggestions
Nothing beats a scoop of homemade ice cream and the options for serving are endless. Below are a few of my favorites!
- Make an Ice Cream Sundae: Serve a scoop or two of this homemade vanilla ice cream with chocolate syrup, hot fudge, and or whipped cream. Adding a warm brownie to the mix is never a bad idea either.????
- Finish Off Dessert: Serve a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of peach crisp, apple crisp, blackberry crisp, Dutch apple pie, or peach cobbler.
- Cake and Ice Cream: Serve hot milk cake or Texas sheet cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and be transported back to your grandma's kitchen.
- Make a Nostalgic Treat: Vanilla ice cream is the perfect choice for making Drumstick ice cream cones.
More Frozen Dessert Recipes
Did you make this recipe?
If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a comment with a 5-star review at the bottom of the post. Thank you!
Vanilla Ice Cream
This easy recipe for Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream is made with only 4 ingredients and results in creamy, rich, egg-free vanilla ice cream.
Video
Ingredients
- ¾ cup white sugar, see note
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Place the base of your ice cream maker into the freezer for at least 12 hours before preparing the homemade ice cream mixture.
- In a medium saucepan, whisk together the 2 cups whole milk, ¾ cup white sugar, and 2 cups heavy whipping cream. Heat over medium-low heat, until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is just warm to the touch. Do NOT allow the mixture to come to a boil.
- Transfer the warm cream to a large heat-safe glass measuring cup and stir in 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract. Place the cream mixture into the refrigerator and chill thoroughly for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- When ready to churn the ice cream, remove the frozen base from the freezer and assemble the machine.
- Turn the ice cream machine on and then pour the cream mixture into the base of the ice cream maker, and churn according to the manufacturer's directions, which is typically for 20 to 25 minutes.
- Once the ice cream is softly frozen, serve immediately as soft serve ice cream or transfer the mixture to an airtight, freezer-safe container and freeze 2 to 3 hours, or until hardened and scoopable.
Equipment
Notes
Milk: Be sure to use whole milk or even half and half for the creamiest, richest ice cream. I have had success using 2% milk, but skim milk will not produce a creamy result.
Vanilla Extract: Use pure vanilla extract or fresh vanilla beans. To use fresh vanilla beans, you will only need ½ of a vanilla bean. cut the pod in half and then slice open. Scoop out the vanilla beans and mix them into the ice cream base.
Sugar: I find ¾ cup perfect, but if you like things REALLY sweet, use a full 1 cup of sugar.
Storage Instructions: Homemade Ice Cream will keep for 1 month in the freezer in an airtight container. To prevent ice crystals, place a layer of wax paper or plastic wrap directly over the ice cream and then top with the container’s lid.
Nutrition
Calories: 228kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 2gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 58mgSodium: 33mgPotassium: 85mgSugar: 19gVitamin A: 649IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 72mgIron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Tried this recipe?Mention @amindfullmom or tag #amindfullmom!
This didn't disappoint! Ridiculously easy, and so delicious!
I love hearing that Kara! Thanks for sharing!
You had me at four ingredients! It was so easy to make! We will be doing it again and again. Delicious.
This recipe really is so easy! I love hearing you enjoyed Laura!
This was absolutely DELICIOUS! Super easy to make too. My kids are already asking when they can have it again. Thank you!
Sounds like your kids enjoy this ice cream as much as mine 🙂 Love hearing that!
YUM!!