Made with only 3 ingredients, this simple recipe for No-Churn Ice Cream requires no special equipment or ice cream maker.
Whether served plain, with a drizzle of homemade chocolate syrup, or with additional mix-ins, like chocolate chips or M&Ms, this recipe for No-Churn Vanilla Ice Cream is a real treat!

Ice Cream Without an Ice Cream Maker
Even without an ice cream maker, you can still enjoy delicious homemade ice cream.
Ice cream machines incorporate air into the cream, keeping it light and fluffy, as it churns and freezes. But by folding whipped cream into sweetened milk, you can create the same results as Classic Vanilla Ice Cream without an expensive piece of equipment.
Ingredients Needed

- Heavy Whipping Cream: This is a crucial ingredient used to create fluffy whipped cream to fold into the ice cream mixture.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: Any brand or fat percentage of canned sweetened condensed milk works for this recipe.
- Vanilla Extract: There is no substitute for pure vanilla extract, do not use imitation vanilla extract, as the flavor will not be the same.
How to Make No-Churn Ice Cream
- Line a 9x5 freezer-safe loaf pan with parchment paper. Place in the freezer.
- In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or a stand mixer to whip the cream until soft peaks occur, but be careful not to overwhip.
- In another large bowl, whisk the vanilla into the sweetened condensed milk.
- Using a spatula, gently fold the whipped cream into the sweetened condensed milk mixture. You want to slowly and carefully incorporate the two mixtures together so the whipped cream stays light and aerated.

- Pour into prepared pan, cover with plastic wrap and freeze at least 4 hours or overnight.

Storing Ice Cream
To prevent ice crystals from forming, place a layer of plastic wrap directly over the ice cream and then top with a lid or layer of foil. Homemade no-churn ice cream will keep for 2 months in the freezer, however, I find the flavor is best enjoyed within 1 month.
Additions to No-Churn Ice Cream
Vanilla ice cream is a classic base flavor that is delicious when served plain but is also great with toppings mixed into the ice cream, creating endless flavor options.
To add a mix-in to your No-Churn Ice Cream, simply fold in ½ cup to 1 cup of additional toppings or ingredients to your ice cream mixture right before freezing.
- Add broken sandwich cookies for a Cookies and Creme flavor.
- Add in crumbled-up graham crackers, mini marshmallows, and a swirl of chocolate sauce for Smores Ice Cream.
- Sprinkle with chocolate chips, M&Ms, Reese's Pieces, or broken-up candy bars.
- Add in chopped fresh strawberries, blueberries, or pitted cherries.
- Swirl in nut butter or cookie butter.
Desserts Made Complete with Ice Cream
Serve or prepare any of these desserts with a scoop of homemade no-churn ice cream.
If you enjoyed this simple recipe for No-Churn Ice Cream, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below.

No-Churn Vanilla Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Line a 9x5 loaf pan with parchment paper. Place in the freezer while you prepare the ice cream.
- In a large bowl, whisk the vanilla into the sweetened condensed milk.
- In a separate large bowl, use a hand mixer or a stand mixer to whip the cream until soft peaks occur, being careful not to overwhip. The cream will be done when you pull the beaters out and the cream forms soft peaks that stand up and slowly fall down.
- Using a spatula, gently fold the whipped cream into the sweetened condensed milk mixture. You want to slowly and carefully incorporate the two mixtures together so the whipped cream stays light and aerated.
- If desired, gently fold in up to 1 cup of mix-ins to the mixture now.
- Pour into prepared pan, cover with plastic wrap and freeze at least 4 hours or overnight.
Shellie Stellpflue
Way less mess too. 😁. Yum!.now if we could speed up the freezing step! It's worth waiting for!
Thanks,Shell
Kristen Chidsey
LOL! That would be nice! Happy to hear you enjoyed this!
Theresa
This is great. I like the idea of not having to get the ice cream freezer out! Thanks for sharing and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
Kristen Chidsey
Thank you so much Theresa!
Reginia Sam
Sounds yummy. Will try the no-churn. I don’t have a ice maker. I have to get a mixer too
Casey Wilson
Hi,
If you leave the vanilla out wiuld it taste like sweet cream?
Thank You,
Casey W
Kristen Chidsey
Very much so Casey!
Sheila Slater
Can you change the flavor? I was thinking of trying the chocolate sweetened condensed milk
Kristen Chidsey
Oh, I have not seen the chocolate condensed milk, but my guess is that would be absolutely fabulous. Let us know how you enjoy it!
Natasha
I love that I can do this even if I don't have an ice cream maker at home. So delicious and easy to make. Thanks for an awesome recipe!NATA
Natasha
I love that I can do this even if I don't have an ice cream maker at home. So delicious and easy to make. Thanks for an awesome recipe!
Natalie
What an easy recipe!! We love making ice cream, especially when we can make it together. Homemade ice cream is the best!!
Kristen Chidsey
So glad you enjoyed making and eating this ice cream, Natalie
Beth
Yummy! So delicious and very yummy! Perfect for summer too.