This no churn ice cream recipe makes the creamiest ice cream and is made with only 3 ingredients. You won’t believe how easy it is to make without a machine!
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3 Ingredient No Churn Ice Cream
Homemade ice cream is fun to make, but sometimes I don’t feel like getting out the ice cream machine. That’s why I love this easy no churn option. It tastes just as delicious and the consistency is spot on. No one will know you didn’t use a machine to make it!
One of my favorite things about summer is homemade ice cream. It has to be my all time favorite dessert and it’s always a toss up whether I’m going to go fruity or chocolate. :)
This recipe is perfect for when you need a sweet treat and don’t want to pull out your machine and then run to the store for salt and ice. There’s no special equipment needed and you can make it right in your own freezer with just a hand mixer. It’s just as smooth and creamy as the traditional version, too!
Recipe Ingredients
- Heavy cream: It has a higher fat content than milk, which results in a creamier and richer consistency.
- Sweetened condensed milk: Instead of granulated sugar, we use sweetened condensed milk to add to the creamy texture, while also offering a rich and sweet flavor.
- Vanilla: A high quality pure vanilla extract will give you the best vanilla flavor.
How to Make No Churn Ice Cream
- Beat the cream. To get started, all you need to do is beat the heavy cream for 5 minutes, or until stiff peaks form. Then stir in the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla.
- Pour and freeze. Pour the cream mixture into a 9×5″ loaf pan or 9×9″ pan. Place in the freezer for 4 to 5 hours, or until firm. Try to resist eating this yummy treat right away!
Favorite Mix-in’s
This recipe could be made with any of your favorite mix-in’s. Just mix 1 cup crushed toppings right in the batter. So many possibilities! Here are a few ideas below:
- Mixed berries
- Crushed Oreo’s
- Chopped Reese’s
- Chocolate chips
- Lemon juice and zest or fresh lemon curd
- Peppermint extract and mini chocolate chips
- Caramel swirls and sea salt
- Toasted or candied pecans
- Edible cookie dough
Toppings
You can skip the mix-in’s all together and simply add your favorite toppings before serving. A drizzle of hot fudge, caramel sauce or blueberry sauce is an easy way to add a little more extra flavor to your no churn vanilla ice cream. Another favorite way to serve it over a fruity dessert like warm peach cobbler!
Tips for Success
- Chill the bowl and beaters. To speed up the whipping process, I like to freeze my mixing bowl and beaters for about 10 minutes before mixing. This helps the cream peak faster.
- Let soften. The consistency is going to be hard after freezing for 4 to 5 hours. Let it soften a bit on the counter before scooping any out.
- Run scoop under hot water. Run your scoop under hot water before using. The mixture will scoop out so much easier this way.
More Delicious Flavors
- Chocolate: Omit the vanilla and add in 1 cup chocolate milk with 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, similar to this no churn chocolate ice cream recipe.
- Strawberry: Mix in 1 cup mashed strawberries (or any berry of choice). You could also add a spoonful of strawberry jam for more flavor.
- Caramel: Drizzle 1 cup caramel sauce throughout the mixture, along with a sprinkle of flake sea salt.
- Cookies and cream: Mix in 1 cup crushed Oreo’s.
- Chocolate chip cookie dough: Mix in 1/2 cup chocolate chips and 1/2 cup cookie dough pieces.
FAQs
The main difference between the two is that you don’t need to use an ice cream machine when making this simple no churn version. Many recipes for homemade ice cream start with a cooked custard base that’s made with a mixture of eggs, milk and/or heavy cream and sugar. The custard is then churned through an ice cream maker to give it that smooth and creamy consistency. With this easy no churn recipe, there’s absolutely no eggs required and no precooking needed.
I’ve noticed that ice crystals will form more easily if the ice cream is not stored properly. It’s important to cover the ENTIRE surface area of the mixture with plastic wrap (with no air in between). This will help prevent ice crystals from forming as it freezes, resulting in a creamy (and not icy) texture.
It will also stay creamier if stored in a shallow container.
For the best flavor and texture, you really should use heavy whipping cream to make this recipe. It has a higher fat content than regular milk, which results in a creamier texture and richer flavor. This is one of those instances that using full fat ingredients is worth the extra indulgence!
Prep time only takes about 10 minutes! After that, all that’s left is chill time. It will take the mixture about 4 to 5 hours in the freezer to harden (or a little less time if you prefer soft serve consistency).
Storage Homemade Ice Cream
Tightly cover the pan with plastic wrap and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Make sure to cover the entire surface area (so that there’s no air in between) to help prevent ice crystals from forming while it freezes.
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No Churn Ice Cream
Video
Ingredients
- 1 pint heavy cream (2 cups)
- 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1-2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Optional mix-in's: Mixed berries, Crushed Oreos, Chopped Reese's
Instructions
- Make ice cream mixture. In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, whip 1 pint heavy cream on medium-high 5 minutes, or until a nice peak has formed. You can also use a handheld mixer. Add 14 ounce can of sweetened condensed milk and 1-2 teaspoons vanilla.
- Add desired mix-ins. Using a rubber spatula, fold in any desired mix-ins.
- Freeze. Pour mixture into a 9×5-inch loaf pan or a 9×9-inch baking dish. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the freezer 4 to 5 hours, or until firm.
- Scoop and serve. Let soften slightly on the counter before scooping to serve.
Notes
- Mixed berries
- Diced peaches
- Crushed Oreos
- Chopped Reese’s
- Edible cookie dough pieces
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!
Categorized as: 4th of July, 5 Ingredients Or Less, American, Desserts, Freezer-Friendly, Frozen Desserts, Gluten-Free, Kid-Friendly, No-Bake, Nut-Free, Vegetarian
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
This is so delicious, but every single time I make it in the mixer the cream flies everywhere! I even have the shield that covers the kitchen aid mixer and it still flies out through all of the openings and down the side of the mixer. Even with a cloth draped over it!! Does this happen to anyone else??
I added a splash of Torani Vanilla syrup and for me, it really brought out the taste of churned ice cream.
I never though of that! That is a great idea. I will have to try that too. Thanks for sharing!
But I don’t know why when take out from freezer before serving around 15-30 mins, ice-cream inside have small small ice but taste still good, just texture not enough soft. Can you teach me how to make it more soft ?
I wonder if it is the container that you are using. Thanks for letting me know! There could be a few different variations that need to be altered for it.
Is there a way to make this chocolate? Printed this out to make with my daughter, can’t wait to try it.
You can omit the vanilla and add in 1 cup chocolate milk with 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder.
Would it be OK to add something like baileys or other alcohol
I have never used alcohol in ice cream. Let me know how it turns out!
Made this today. It is super delicious. Very creamy. I wondered about maybe adding more vanilla.
More vanilla wouldn’t hurt! It can be similar to a french vanilla flavor of ice cream. I am glad that you enjoyed it!
I made this but it is so hard…how to remove????
Warm up an ice cream scooper in hot water and see if that helps. Leaving on the countertop a few minutes before serving works well too.
Made this today—added fresh strawberries to the mix—pretty darn tasty!
can you double this???
Yes you can, just store in a bigger dish :)
Oh wow, this looks so delicious. My family is going to devour it!
So simple but so delicious! We LOVE ice cream so this one is a keeper!