A delicious and easy homemade vanilla ice cream recipe that’s made with NO eggs and a non-cook cream base! Only 5 ingredients are needed to reach a perfectly smooth and creamy consistency with the best vanilla flavor.
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Easy Eggless Ice Cream
One of my favorite desserts to make is homemade ice cream. I especially love to make it for my family during the summer, but let’s be honest – we love to eat it all year long. :) It’s the perfect refreshing treat to cool off with on a hot summer day, or when you’re craving a little late-night sweet treat.
This recipe is super easy to make and contains NO eggs! It tastes just as creamy as the old-fashioned version, but is quicker and requires less work (no simmering on the stovetop beforehand). You do need an ice cream maker to follow the recipe, but you can always make this easy no churn ice cream if you don’t have one.
You can scoop it into a cone or serve it in a bowl with your favorite toppings. Keep it light and refreshing with some ripe, juicy strawberries, or make a more indulgent Reese’s ice cream by topping it with some hot fudge and chopped peanut butter cups. No matter which topping you choose, it will taste incredible!
Ingredients for Soft Homemade Ice Cream
Homemade ice cream recipe is a special treat that is guaranteed to put smiles on everyone’s face! Stir the ingredients together, churn, then let chill for an amazingly delicious dessert. Grab your spoon and start enjoying once the ice cream is ready!
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.
How to Make Perfect Vanilla Ice Cream
This homemade vanilla ice cream is made using a machine to help it churn, stay cold, and do most of the work. Combine all the ingredients together and pour the ice cream mixture into the ice cream machine to start the process. It is that easy!
- Prepare machine. 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.
- Mix together. Combine heavy cream, milk, sugar, salt, and vanilla in a bowl or the base of the ice cream container you plan to use.
- Churn. When you’re ready to make the ice cream, pour the mixture into your ice cream maker bowl. Follow the instructions for your specific machine. Turn on the machine and let it churn until it looks like frozen yogurt (about 25 minutes). Store in an airtight container in the freezer to become firm.
- Serve. Scoop into a bowl when ready to serve. Add desired toppings and enjoy.
Tips for Making Homemade Ice Cream
Homemade ice cream is simple, fresh, and delicious! It has all the right ingredients to make it creamy and flavorful in every bite. Here are some easy tips to follow to make the best vanilla ice cream every time!
- 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. Trust me, it’s worth the extra calories!
- Churning time. It usually takes my Cuisinart ice cream maker about 20 minutes to churn the mixture. Each machine is different, so it may take a little less or a little more time. Keep an eye on it and as soon as the mixture resembles frozen yogurt, that’s when you know it’s ready. You don’t want it to over-churn!
- Vanilla bean. Pure vanilla extract tastes delicious, but if you want to ramp up the flavor, try using vanilla bean paste instead. It can be a bit expensive, so this may be a good swap to make for special occasions. :)
- Mix in’s. This recipe also tastes delicious with your favorite toppings mixed into the vanilla base. Churn the mixture until it’s reached the consistency of frozen yogurt, then mix in the extras until smooth. We love adding in crushed Oreos, chopped Reese’s cups, or fresh smashed berries.
- Plan time to freeze. For a consistency that’s 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.
- Scooping. Run your ice cream scoop under hot water before scooping the dessert out of the container.
- Doubling. You’ll end up with about 1.25 quarts of ice cream when making this recipe. You can double the recipe for a larger amount, although you’ll need to make 2 separate batches.
Favorite Toppings
There are so many toppings that taste amazing with vanilla ice cream! Because of its neutral flavor, it pairs well with just about anything. Try the fruity route by topping it with fresh berries or lemon curd. Or for a super rich dessert, add some homemade brownies or chocolate chip cookie crumbles. My kids love to top theirs with some colorful sprinkles and a maraschino cherry. The options are endless!
- Reese’s peanut butter cups (or candy of choice)
- Hot fudge
- Chocolate chips
- Caramel sauce
- Berries (or fruit of choice)
- Peach pie filling
- Edible cookie dough pieces
- Oreo crumbles
- Sprinkles
- Caramelized bananas
- Fresh nuts (such as pecans, almonds or peanuts)
- Crumbled waffle cone
- Fresh strawberry sauce or strawberry jam
- Blueberry sauce
Recipe FAQs
Eggs do help create rich and flavorful ice cream. They also prevent ice crystallization and help to have a smooth and creamy texture. This recipe does not include eggs but it still has other ingredients that give that creamy texture.
Egg yolks! Again, it is not something that we added to this recipe but it is used to have very creamy ice cream. Using heavy cream will also help with that.
Homemade ice cream is fresh ice cream that is smooth, creamy, and tastes fresher with ingredients you know and add yourself whereas store-bought ice cream has unhealthy levels of fat, and flavors that are combined that can be unknown.
Flavor! The flavor from the homemade ice cream is richer and you don’t have the artificial ingredients or fake thickeners to alter the color, flavor, and texture.
5 star review
“This was my first time making ice cream. It was outstanding! Not too sweet, good vanilla flavor. Recipe is a keeper!”
-Anne
Storage Instructions
After churning the ice cream, I love to pour the mixture 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.
More Frozen Treats
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Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream
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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 heavy cream, milk, sugar, salt and vanilla in a bowl or the base of your ice cream container you plan to use.
- 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.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
I have tried a couple of other homemade ice cream recipes, but this one is by far the best! I made it just as the recipe says! It turns out perfect every time!
Awe, thank you so much for the compliment. I am glad that you love this vanilla ice cream!
My family and I love this ice cream! I have to double the recipe every time!
I love to hear that! Thank you for sharing!! I am so glad that your family loves this ice cream as much as our family!
I found that pouring the mix in the machine after I started it worked better because it started freezing pretty fast therefore it wasn’t able to churn.Otherwise it was delicious and fast!
Glad that it worked out okay for you!
First time making homemade ice cream. Made it with my 6yr old daughter. Super easy & so delicious!! This could become a dangerous habit😉 Thank you so much for sharing.
That is great to hear! I am so glad that you love this ice cream so much!
Oh & forgot to say we mixed in some pillsbury Bake or Eat cookie dough. We cut it into small pieces, froze it while the ice cream was churning, and added it to the last couple minutes in the machine. Definitely beats a DQ Blizzard and can’t wait to see what else we can mix in😍
Wahoo! That is a great compliment! I am so glad that you enjoyed it!
We doubled the recipe and made it with my grand kids for the 4th of July. Hands down the best and simplest homemade ice cream!
That sounds delicious! It is always best to do things with kids and grandkids.
When you say you can double recipe but will have to make two batches are you saying you need to make a batch freeze it then do another batch?
Yes, you will need to store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
If I double the ingredients can I make 2-1/2quarts at once?
Yes! That will work great! Enjoy your homemade ice cream!
Yes. Delicious!!
Such a huge hit for summer!! Best summer treat!
We have made this twice. Once making a gallon and the second time crushing Oreos and blending them in about 10 minutes before done. This for sure need to be in the freezer overnight but this recipe is so good! Churn it a little longer so that you get super creamy ice cream.
The Oreos sounds delicious! We will have to add that to our list too. Thanks for sharing and your 5 star review!
This had such an amazing flavor! Thank you so much!
This is the easiest, best recipe for homemade vanilla ice cream that I’ve tried. I found it last summer and have made it several times since. So much better than store-bought!
This was my first time making ice cream. It was outstanding! Not too sweet, good vanilla flavor. Recipe is a keeper!
i make this recipe for my family to have over the week for desert and it’s so much better than the store brand. there’s only 5 ingredients, it’s so easy and fun for us to make too!
So glad you enjoyed the homemade vanilla ice cream! :)
Outstandingly. I have found many ice cream recipes are too sweet. This one is not. It’s perfect. The only downside is that you will need to make two batches because the first batch is going to disappear very quickly!
We have to agree with you Teri! Thanks for your review :)
Easy and good❣️
There is no better summer dessert than homemade vanilla ice cream! I loved your recipe, absolutely delicious!
Great recipe, smooth and creamy! I love how versatile it is!
Hi Britni! Thanks for your comment. :) I’m so glad to hear that you loved the recipe!
I just made your recipe for the vanilla ice cream. So delicious!!
My grandson said that’s some good ice cream grandma!!
So glad you guys loved it. Thanks for the review :)
It’s been SUPER HOT around here, prefect timing! Great round-up and now I’m craving that coffee brownie batter ice cream!!! Waaaa! Loaded to the max.
Oh my goodness! That’s an ice cream heaven. I would like to have all of these ice creams one by one. Thanks a lot for sharing these heavenly ice creams Crystal :)