I’ll be honest with you—I was never a big fan of complicated desserts. But one hot summer day, I really wanted something cold and sweet without buying it from the store.
That’s when I thought, “Why not try making vanilla ice cream at home?” And let me tell you—it turned out so creamy, rich, and full of flavor that I had to share it with you.
If you love ice cream (and who doesn’t?), this recipe will make you smile. It’s simple, doesn’t need fancy tools, and tastes even better than store-bought. Let’s dive right in.
Why Make Vanilla Ice Cream at Home?
You might ask, “Why should I make it myself when I can buy it?” Well, here’s the deal:
- Fresh Ingredients – You know exactly what’s going inside. No weird chemicals or fake flavors.
- Custom Flavor – You can make it more creamy, less sweet, or add toppings you love.
- Fun and Rewarding – There’s something special about eating ice cream you made with your own hands.
Trust me, once you try this, you won’t look at store ice cream the same way again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You don’t need a lot—just a few simple ingredients:
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract (or 1 vanilla bean if you want it fancy)
- A pinch of salt
That’s it. Simple, right?
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s how you can make this dreamy ice cream at home.
Step 1: Mix the Base
Take a bowl and whisk together milk, sugar, and salt until the sugar dissolves. Then add the heavy cream and vanilla extract. That’s your base done.
Step 2: Chill It
Cover the bowl and put it in the fridge for at least 2 hours. Chilling makes the ice cream smoother. (I usually prepare the base in the morning and freeze it at night.)
Step 3: Freeze It
If you have an ice cream machine, pour the mixture in and let it churn until thick.
If you don’t have a machine, no worries. Pour it into a shallow dish, freeze it, and every 30 minutes, stir it with a fork. Do this 4–5 times until creamy.
Step 4: Enjoy!
Once it’s ready, scoop it out, add some chocolate chips, fruits, or just enjoy it plain. Vanilla is a classic—it goes with everything.
Tips to Make It Even Better
- Want it more creamy? Use more heavy cream and less milk.
- Want it less sweet? Reduce sugar by 2 tablespoons.
- Add extras like crushed cookies, nuts, or caramel swirl before freezing.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I fell in love with this recipe because it’s so easy. No stress, no complicated steps. It tastes exactly how real vanilla ice cream should—creamy, sweet, and fresh.
And here’s the best part—you can use this recipe as a base. From here, you can turn it into chocolate, strawberry, coffee, or any flavor you like;
FAQs About Vanilla Ice Cream
Q: Do I need an ice cream machine?
No, you can make it without one by using the “freeze and stir” method. It just takes a little patience.
Q: How long does homemade ice cream last?
About 1–2 weeks in the freezer if you store it in an airtight container.
Q: Can I use low-fat milk?
You can, but the texture won’t be as creamy. Full cream milk is the best.
Q: Can I add flavors?
Yes! Chocolate chips, fruits, nuts, caramel—anything you like can be mixed in.