★ Why You’ll Love this Recipe ★
This homemade ice cream is rich, creamy, and has the perfect texture. All made without a churn.
This recipe does not get any easier. You need just 3 ingredients to make vanilla ice cream. For other flavors, just add in a few extra ingredients. Get a list of ideas below.
Who knew. It's entirely possible to make delicious homemade ice cream without an ice cream maker! The only machine you need is a hand mixer. No eggs. No churn. EASY!
★ Ingredients You'll Need ★
There are truly just THREE! This recipe follows a simple formula and all you need to do is mix in extra ingredients to make infinite flavors!
The formula for this easy homemade ice cream is pretty basic. It looks like this:
Heavy Cream + Sweetened Condensed Milk + Vanilla Extract
1. Heavy cream. You can't use milk or even half and half because you need the whipping properties of heavy cream. By whipping heavy cream you'll add air to your ice cream giving it that perfect ice cream texture you know and love.
2. Sweetened Condensed Milk. This adds all the sweetness you'll need, no additional sugar needed. No worries about grainy sugar. Or using overly sweet powdered sugar. This handy bakery staple does all the jobs in one easy step.
3. Vanilla Extract. This creates your base flavor. If you love vanilla ice cream, you can stop here. It's a deliciously easy, 3-ingredient ice cream recipe!
★ Build More Flavors ★
If you're caving something beyond vanilla, no problem. All you need to do is add in some extra ingredients. You can make any ice cream flavor you can dream up.
The recipe below details making a yummy yet basic homemade vanilla ice cream. You can simple add to this to create lots of other flavors. You'll still include the vanilla extract as it provides a nice base flavor to build upon.
Vanilla extract goes well with almost any flavor so you can opt to leave that in plus add additional ingredients to create new flavors, or leave it out completely if you don't want that added vanilla flavor. Your choice. This does not affect the recipe other than taste.
Flavor Ideas + Add-ins
Here are some flavor ideas you can try! You truly can't go wrong adding in whatever flavors you want if you go with what sounds good to you.
Mint Chocolate Chip
Add 1 teaspoon mint extract + ½ cup mini chocolate chips + couple of drops of green food color (optional)
Birthday Cake
Add 1 tablespoon cake batter extract in place of 1 tablespoon of vanilla + ½ cup rainbow sprinkles
Strawberry Ice Cream
Add ¼ cup strawberry syrup
Chocolate Ice Cream
Add ¼ cup chocolate syrup
Raspberry Cheesecake
Add ½ cup no-bake cheesecake filling then swirl in (don't fully mix in) ½ cup seedless raspberry jam
Caramel Swirl
Lightly swirl (don't fully mix in) in ½ cup caramel syrup right before freezing
Butter Pecan
Add ¼ cup molasses + 2 tablespoon browned butter* + ½ cup chopped pecans
*Brown butter in a pan on the stove over medium heat just until you get an aroma of nuttiness and you see little brown bits form within the butter. Immediately remove from heat, transfer carefully to a dish and let cool before adding to ice cream mixture. (pop in the freezer to speed up cooling)
Cookies and Cream
Add 1 cup Oreo cookie crumbles
Cookie Dough
Add 1 cup edible cookie dough chunks - Get my edible cookie dough recipe here or use store bought cookie dough as long as its labeled "edible"
Peanut Butter Cup
Add 1 cup Reese's peanut butter cup chunks
Banana Foster
Mix in 1 mashed banana + 1 teaspoon cinnamon + 2 tablespoon rum extract then swirl in ½ cup caramel syrup
Create Your Own Flavor!
There are so many other possibilities!
Just remember to start with the base vanilla flavor and stir in whatever sounds good to you. It's actually that simple.
If you try some extras that you love, please leave a comment and let us know what you added in!
★ Tips & FAQs ★
Storing Ice Cream in the Freezer
This homemade ice cream can last in the freezer for about 2 weeks. However, the texture and flavor may start to degrade after the first week due to ice crystal formation and freezer burn. To maintain its quality:
- Store in an airtight container: This helps prevent ice crystals from forming and keeps the ice cream from absorbing odors from other foods in the freezer.
- Cover the surface with plastic wrap or parchment paper: This provides an extra layer of protection against freezer burn.
After two weeks, the ice cream is still safe to eat, but it might not taste as good as when it was freshly made.
How can I add a swirl of flavor to my homemade ice cream?
To add a swirl, layer the ice cream then sauce then ice cream as you transfer it to your storage container. Use a spoon or knife to gently swirl the sauce into the ice cream without fully mixing it in.
★ More Recipes You'll Love ★
Love easy desserts?
Browse all my dessert recipes!
Want more easy recipes for any occasion?
This easy homemade ice cream recipe (made without a machine) was featured on South Your Mouth!
Easy Homemade Ice Cream (without a machine)
Ingredients
- 4 cups heavy whipping cream
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
- 2 tablespoon vanilla extract
Mighty Mrs. is a #WalmartPartner.
Instructions
- In a large bowl, beat on high speed heavy whipping cream until thick, stiff peaks form.
- Add sweetened condensed milk and extract and beat on low until combined.
- Stir in optional ingredients as desired like nuts, chocolate chips, caramel syrup, candy bar chunks, etc!
- Transfer mixture to a freezer-safe contain with lid and freeze for at least 2 hours. 3+ for a more solid ice cream.*
- Scoop and serve!
Video
Notes
Equipment
Recommended equipment listed may contain affiliate links.
Nb says
How long does this stay good in your freezer. It is super amazing great recipe
Angela G. says
So glad you like the recipe! It will store well for about 2 weeks, possibly longer if you layer a piece of plastic over top to prevent ice crystals from forming.
Priscilla says
I made this last year, it was the birthday cake variety & SO YUMMY! I made it again tonight & while it all tastes the same, it leaves a thick, weird waxy texture in our mouths, eek! Any idea what might have caused this? Maybe the sprinkles?
Angela G. says
Hi Priscilla, it's hard to say, but my guess would be the sprinkles. Could be the variety of sprinkles, or the sprinkles could have been old?
pri says
Can I substitute whole milk for the condensed milk and add some sugar separately ?
Angela G. says
Hi Pri, I have not tried this but I am not sure it would work well as you want the sweetened milk to be condensed so it's thick. If you want to try it, you could search a recipe for homemade sweetened condensed milk and use the milk and sugar according to the recipe instructions and that might give you good results. Let us know if you try it!
Tatum says
Hi! Can you use a blender instead of a hand mixer in this recipe?
Angela G. says
Yes, you can use a blender, you may need to use a spatula to scrape down the sides and stir in between pulsing as needed to evenly blend everything together.
Lindelwe says
Hi, can I use cocoa powder instead of chocolate syrup if I don't have it. If i can how?
Thank you
Angela G. says
Yes, you could! You will just need to turn the cocoa powder into syrup first by adding sugar, water, salt and vanilla extract. Here is a recipe for making your own chocolate syrup.
Dale Brincat says
This is the third time I am making this recipe. I add homemade mix berry compote into the mix and it's absolutely delicious 😋!
Angela G. says
Sounds delicious, Dale! So glad you are enjoying the recipe. 🙂
Deedee12three says
Easy recipe but the ice cream tastes like the sweet condensed milk. Ok if you like it but I don't. Second time used 4 oz condensed milk and vanilla coffee creamer, it was better.. Next time i want to try more cream confection sugar to get rid of the condensed milk taste altogether
Katie says
What can you use in place on condensed milk?
Angela G. says
You can make your own sweetened condensed milk. I do not have a recipe for this but if you google, you can find several different recipes to try.
Jamilah Woodbine says
What would you need to make mint choc chip ice-cream and how much of it?
Angela G. says
For mint chocolate chip, you can add 1 tsp mint extract + 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips + couple of drops of green food color if you want that traditional mint green color.
Jamilah Woodbine says
Ok, thank you!
Dawn Sumerix says
I love the flavor of maple.Can I add maple syrup to flavor this recipe? And if so, how much do I add?
Angela G. says
Yes, you can absolutely add maple syrup. You can add it before freezing or after. If adding after, the maple syrup will harden and give you more streaks of flavor. If you add it before it will blend more into the overall taste of the ice cream. So just depends on which you prefer. I would start with adding 1/4 cup and then feel free to add more if desired!
Maria Ohara says
I added 4 oz of melted white chocolate, and 6 oz of white chocolate liqueur to 3/4 cup condensed milk and it came out so delicious!
Cathy says
Mine turned out just like whipped cream.🥲 Should I leave it in the freezer much longer than 3 hours?
Angela G. says
Yes, you may just need a bit longer for it to firm up. Try freezing overnight.
Brad says
Can I use fresh fruit or do I have to use a syrup?
Angela G. says
Fresh fruit is totally OK! Syrup blends into the ice cream a bit more but fresh fruit will likely give you a chunkier texture. So it’s just a matter of what you prefer.
Kimberly says
I made this and wow! My kids want me to make it with all kinds of extras. I added crushed Oreos.
Delicious and simple.
Angela G. says
So glad you and the kiddos enjoyed it, Kimberly!
Kelly A. says
Just delicious. I made the vanilla and now I’m going to make chocolate
Angela G. says
I’m so glad you are enjoying the recipe, Kelly! Thanks for the review.
Naomi says
Hi I am new to working with condensed milk, do we have to cook it?
Angela G. says
Hi Naomi. No cooking is required!
Carmen Benard says
It is excellent and fun to make with your children
Angela G. says
Hi Carmen, I agree! Glad you enjoyed it.
Helen Jamieson Franklyn says
What if you don't have a hand mixer
Angela G. says
Hi Helen, you can beat by hand if you do not have a hand mixer. It will just take a little longer for everything to blend together. Thanks for asking!