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No-Churn Vanilla Ice Cream
The perfect accompaniment to any dessert, or enjoyed on its own, this no-churn vanilla ice cream makes it easy to enjoy this classic flavor any time.
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This no-churn vanilla ice cream is easy to make and enjoy anytime — even without a machine. Heavy whipping cream, condensed milk, and vanilla create a creamy and delicious classic vanilla flavor, ready for all your favorite toppings.
No-Churn Vanilla Ice Cream Ingredients
When it comes to creamy desserts, vanilla ice cream is a classic choice that never disappoints.
The smooth texture of the ice cream melts in your mouth, leaving a subtle sweetness that is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.
You’ll need:
- 1 (14-ounce) can of sweetened condensed milk
- 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
- Pinch of salt
- 2 cups of heavy whipping cream, chilled
Substitutions And Additions
You can add a variety of mix-in combinations to this no-churn vanilla bean ice cream recipe before placing it in the freezer. Here are a few of our favorites:
STRAWBERRY BROWNIE: Add brownie chunks and strawberries cut up into small pieces. Gently fold them into the batter and then pour it into the pan and freeze.
CARAMEL CASHEW: Hershey caramel sauce (in the glass container, not plastic squeeze bottle) and chopped cashews. Gently fold cashews into the ice cream and then run ribbons of caramel throughout the ice cream. Pour into the pan and freeze.
CARAMEL CARIBOU: Hershey chocolate bar cut into small pieces and Hershey caramel sauce (in the glass container, not plastic squeeze bottle).
MOOSE TRACKS: Peanut butter cups cut into small pieces and Hershey fudge sauce. Gently fold peanut butter cups into the ice cream and then run ribbons of fudge sauce throughout. Pour into the pan and freeze.
How To Make This No-Churn Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe
The best part about this ice cream is that you don’t need a fancy ice cream machine to make it, just a mixing bowl and loaf pan. Here’s how to make it:
STEP ONE: Place a large mixing bowl and a loaf pan or other freezer-safe container in the freezer 30 minutes prior to making this recipe.
STEP TWO: In a separate medium bowl, combine the sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract or scooped-out vanilla bean paste, and a pinch of salt. Set aside.
STEP THREE: Remove the large bowl from the freezer and add the chilled heavy whipping cream. Use a hand mixer at high speed to beat together until stiff peaks form.
OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS
The cream will go through several stages – bubbly, slightly thickened, rippling, then puffy and airy.
STEP FOUR: One cup at a time, add the whipped cream to the sweetened condensed milk mixture. Carefully fold them together with a rubber spatula until no streaks remain.
PRO TIP:
Don’t overmix at this stage or the cream will deflate.
STEP FIVE: Pour into a parchment paper-lined loaf pan. Spread evenly with a rubber spatula. Cover with foil or plastic wrap and place in the freezer.
PRO TIP:
Lining the loaf pan with parchment paper prior to filling will make cleaning up much easier.
STEP SIX: After 2 hours of freezing, add additional mix-in ingredients and swirl with a knife. Cover and return to the freezer for an additional 3 hours, or until set.
STEP SEVEN: Remove ice cream 5 minutes prior to serving to allow it to soften slightly.
How To Serve The Best Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe
This creamy ice cream will be fantastic for hot summer days. Use this as an ice cream base for an amazing sundae.
Scoop it into one of our chocolate chip cookie cups and add your favorite toppings, including chocolate sauce, chocolate chips, fresh fruit, whipped cream, and of course, a maraschino cherry. Or grab your ice cream scoop and put it on top of an ice cream cone.
Vanilla ice cream also pairs perfectly with a warm brownie or a slice of apple pie.
There’s no arguing that ice cream is the perfect addition to any dessert dish. Try adding this homemade vanilla ice cream to the top of our earthquake cake or blueberry dump cake. It melts perfectly over the top of these scrumptious warm desserts.
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Storing This Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream
Here’s how to make sure your ice cream stays frozen and maintains the best texture long enough to enjoy it.
IN THE FREEZER: Be sure to store the finished ice cream in the freezer wrapped with plastic or with an airtight lid on top. When ready to serve, take it out about 5 minutes before you plan to scoop it, to give it a bit of time to soften. This will make it much easier to scoop out.
Place back in the freezer immediately after serving. The texture may change if the ice cream is taken out and put back in the freezer too many times.
This recipe for no churn vanilla ice cream is a quick and simple way to make your own homemade ice cream and only needs four simple ingredients! This is the easiest way to make ice cream without an ice cream machine and the hardest part is waiting for it to be ready to scoop!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is no-churn ice cream?
Typically, when making ice cream from scratch, you will need to use an ice cream maker, and that usually entails the step of “churning” the ice cream. A no-churn recipe means no ice cream maker and, as you could guess, no churning. It saves many steps and makes it super easy to make homemade ice cream that is just as tasty as regular ice cream but doesn’t need special equipment.
Can I use nonfat milk in this no-churn ice cream recipe?
You can use any type of milk in this recipe, but lower-fat milk, such as skim milk, will result in less creamy ice cream than if you make it with whole milk or cream.
Could I use this homemade vanilla ice cream recipe to make an ice cream cake?
This is a great idea, and although we haven’t tried it yet, I can’t see why you couldn’t use this ice cream as part of an easy ice cream cake.
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- Ice Cream Dessert
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- Cookie Monster Ice Cream
- Cookie Dough Ice Cream
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No-Churn Vanilla Ice Cream
The perfect accompaniment to any dessert, or enjoyed on its own, this no-churn vanilla ice cream makes it easy to enjoy this classic flavor any time.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 5 hours 15 minutes
Servings 6
Ingredients
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, or vanilla bean paste
- 1 pinch salt
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream, chilled
Instructions
- Place a large mixing bowl, and a loaf pan in the freezer 30 minutes prior to making this recipe.
- In a separate medium bowl, combine sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, and pinch of salt. Set aside.
- Remove the large bowl from the freezer and add the chilled heavy whipping cream. Use an electric mixer on high speed to beat together until stiff peaks form.
- One cup at a time, add the whipped cream to the sweetened condensed milk mixture. Carefully fold it together with a rubber spatula until no streaks remain.
- Pour into loaf pan. Spread evenly with a rubber spatula. Cover with foil and place in the freezer.
- After 2 hours of freezing, add any additional mix-in ingredients (if desired) and swirl with a knife. Cover and return to the freezer for an additional 3 hours or until set.
- Remove ice cream 5 minutes prior to serving to allow it to soften slightly.
Video
Notes
- For easier clean-up, line the loaf pan with parchment paper prior to filling.
- When you are whipping the cream, it will go through several stages – bubbly, slightly thickened, rippling, then puffy and airy.
Nutrition
Calories: 490kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 131mg | Sodium: 121mg | Potassium: 307mg | Sugar: 36g | Vitamin A: 1343IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 240mg | Iron: 1mg
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Comments
jay platte says
just like my grandpa used to make it! so delicious!
Bachi says
After u make this could u add peaches and churn the ice cream.
Layne Kangas says
I haven’t tried adding peaches, but I would imagine you could mix some in and freeze. Enjoy!
Terrie says
I just put the mix into my freezer to stay there overnight. I didnโt read your recipe correctly and put in a small amount of chopped peaches into the condensed milk mixture . Hopefully it will harden correctly, if not I can always use it in other decadent desserts.
Margarida says
I may this ice cream today. Very delicious. I wish it could be a little less sweet. Otherwise very easy to make it and great flavor
Kyle says
So easy and delicious!
Eliza says
Such a delicious recipe and my child loves it. No more store bought ice cream for us
Linda says
This looks yummy will have to give it a try this summer.
Ann says
I made this with almond extract instead of vanilla and oh my goodness. Ty for sharing your recipe with me.
CAnderson says
I make this all the time. – since my family likes different flavors, I put the ice cream in 3 cup ziplock containers and add diff mixes to each: Hot Fudge, Mint chip, fruit… the ideas are endless.