This homemade vanilla ice cream is easy to make in an ice cream maker with only 5 ingredients! It’s smooth and creamy with the best rich vanilla flavor.

Homemade vanilla ice cream in a bowl topped with sliced strawberries.

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The Best Homemade Ice Cream

One of my favorite frozen desserts to make during the summer is homemade vanilla ice cream. It’s the perfect refreshing sweet treat to cool off with on a hot day and it’s easy to make with an ice cream maker and only 5 ingredients!

This creamy homemade ice cream recipe is just as tasty as the old-fashioned version, but requires less work because there is no eggs or simmering on the stovetop beforehand. If you don’t have an ice cream maker you can make this no churn ice cream instead.

Ingredient Notes

Heavy cream, milk, sugar, vanilla and salt on the counter with an ice cream maker to make homemade ice cream.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Heavy cream: This gives the ice cream a rich flavor. Avoid over-churning the ice cream or the heavy cream will taste more buttery than cream.
  • Whole milk: The mixture of the cream and milk gives a richer blend of flavor as well as a creamy and soft texture.
  • Sugar: Every ice cream needs that extra sweetness! Sugar is just that for this recipe.
  • Salt: Balancing out the flavors gives it a nice boost of salty and sweet flavor.
  • Vanilla extract: Added for flavor and tints the soft ice cream to a creamy color. If you want more vanilla flavor, use a vanilla bean or vanilla bean paste.

How to Make Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

Before starting to make this homemade vanilla ice cream recipe, prep your ice cream machine according to package directions. Some machines require you to freeze the bowl first and for others, you will need to have ice and rock salt.

Heavy cream, sugar, milk and vanilla being stirred in a bowl.

Next, make your ice cream base by combining heavy cream, milk, sugar, salt, and vanilla in a bowl. Chill ice cream mixture in the refrigerator while waiting for the ice cream maker bowl to freeze.

Homemade ice cream mixture in an ice cream machine.

When you’re ready to make the ice cream, pour the mixture into your ice cream maker bowl and follow manufacturers directions for churning. I typically churn the ice cream for 25-30 minutes.

Homemade ice cream churned in an ice cream machine.

Homemade ice cream in a machine will have a soft, creamy texture immediately after churning. For scoopable ice cream, store in an airtight container in the freezer for a few hours then add to a bowl or cone and enjoy!

Favorite Toppings and Variations

There are so many toppings that taste amazing with vanilla ice cream! Because of its neutral flavor, it pairs well with just about anything.

Homemade vanilla ice cream with an ice cream scoop scooping ice cream out of the ice cream machine bowl.

Recipe TIps

  • Freeze the bowl. Most ice cream makers require that you freeze the bowl the night beforehand, so don’t forget! It needs to be COLD before getting started.
  • Full-fat ingredients. Using whole milk and heavy whipping cream makes a world of a difference. The higher fat content creates a super creamy and rich result.
  • Churning time. It usually takes my Cuisinart ice cream maker about 20 minutes to churn the mixture. Each homemade ice cream machine is different, your’s may take more or less time.
  • When to add mix ins. Churn your homemade vanilla ice cream with machine until it’s reached desired soft serve consistency, then mix in the extras.
  • Consistency. For scoop-able and firm, you’ll want to freeze the mixture for at least a few hours. If you like soft serve, you can enjoy it immediately after churning.
Vanilla homemade ice cream in a white bowl with sliced strawberries on top.

More frozen desserts to try include frozen s’mores, ice cream sandwich cake and lemon ice cream.

More Ice Cream Recipes

ice cream and strawberries in white bowl

Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

5 from 72 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Churn Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 10
This homemade vanilla ice cream is easy to make in an ice cream maker with only 5 ingredients! It's smooth and creamy with the best rich vanilla flavor.
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Ingredients 

  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • Pinch salt
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Depending on machine: Ice and rock salt

Optional toppings: strawberries, brownies, crushed oreos, hot fudge, caramel sauce

Instructions

  • Prep your ice cream machine according to package directions. Some machines require you to freeze the bowl first and others you will need to have ice and rock salt.
  • Combine 2 cups heavy cream, 1 cup whole milk, 3/4 cup sugar, salt and 2 teaspoons vanilla in a bowl or the base of your ice cream container you plan to use.
  • Churn. When you're ready to make the ice cream, pour mixture into your ice cream maker bowl. Follow instructions for your specific machine. Turn on machine and let it churn until it looks like frozen yogurt (about 25 minutes). Store in an air tight container in the freezer to become firm.
  • Scoop into a bowl when ready to serve. Add desired toppings and enjoy.

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

Notes: This recipe makes about 1.25 quarts. If you’d like to double, you’ll need to do two different batches.
Storage: Store in the freezer in a covered container for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cup, Calories: 239kcal, Carbohydrates: 18g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 18g, Saturated Fat: 11g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 68mg, Sodium: 29mg, Potassium: 69mg, Sugar: 16g, Vitamin A: 739IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 59mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Storage Instructions

After churning the ice cream, I love to pour the mixture from the ice cream maker into a bread loaf pan to store. I find it’s a perfect size and is super easy to scoop out of.

You can use any container, just make sure to cover it with a lid or wrap it tightly with plastic wrap to reduce freezer burn. It will stay fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, let thaw on the counter for a few minutes and then scoop with an ice cream scoop.