Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe
Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream is a no-cook, no-condensed milk recipe that you can whip up in just 30 minutes with simple ingredients. It’s the type of treat that can be served with baked desserts, sandwiched between cookies, or enjoyed with a drizzle of chocolate syrup.
Ice cream is one of my not-so-secret pleasures. I love the cold creaminess of it, and with so many flavors to try, I never get tired of it. This homemade vanilla ice cream recipe is particularly good. It’s rich – but not too rich. Follow the directions on your ice cream maker (every appliance is different) but use my ingredients!
What is old-fashioned homemade vanilla ice cream?
Of the many rich ice cream recipes I’ve tried, this homemade vanilla ice cream is by far the BEST and FASTEST because it has lots of eggs, brown sugar and NO wasted time cooking, tempering and cooling.
Eggs, half and half, whipping cream, brown sugar (which makes it so good), regular white sugar, salt, and vanilla are all you need to make this vanilla ice cream. Of course, don’t forget the rock salt and ice for the process of making it.
Why you’ll love this homemade vanilla ice cream recipe
- You can dress this dessert up with fresh fruit, cookies, berry compote, pound cake and more, or enjoy it just like it is.
- It’s the perfect summer dessert that’s super easy to make! The recipe takes about 10 minutes to prepare for a creamy, delicious treat.
- There’s no condensed milk or cooking involved.
- We also LOVE it with brownies!
Ingredients needed to make homemade vanilla ice cream
- Eggs – Beaten. There’s no cooking of eggs in this recipe!
- Half and half – Chilled.
- Whipping cream – Chilled.
- Sugar – Both white and brown sugar.
- Salt – Enhances flavors and balances the sweetness.
- Vanilla – For delicious depth of flavor.
- Ice and rock salt – For the process of making the ice cream.
How to make this homemade vanilla ice cream recipe
Combine the ingredients
- Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl and beat together on medium with a hand mixer or stand mixer for 1-2 minutes.
Follow ice cream freezer directions
- Fill the ice cream freezer and make according to appliance directions, adding a lot of ice and rock salt.
Serving
Serve this homemade vanilla ice cream in a bowl garnished with fresh berries, in a cone, or sandwich it between freshly made chocolate chip cookies for a special treat. It’s also great alongside a warm brownie, a slice of Vanilla Texas Sheet Cake Recipe (or another favorite cake), or with a generous drizzle of chocolate syrup.
Sandy’s tips and substitutions:
- Storage: Store any leftovers in a covered container in the freezer for up to a month. It’ll keep best in a freezer-safe container with a tightly fitting lid. Scoop and serve as needed!
- Use quality ingredients: Use good-quality cream and vanilla for this recipe. Make sure to use real cream and not cream substitutes for the best flavor and texture. TIP: I buy the ingredients at Costco, especialy when I double the recipe.
- Unplug the freezer when done: Make sure when the freezer stops churning, you unplug it! And then, pull out the paddle and place the lid back on, and allow it to continue to freezer (surrounded by ice).
- Best texture and creaminess: Keep the heavy cream chilled until ready to combine with the rest of the ingredients for ultra creamy results.
- Soften before serving: Always allow your frozen ice cream to sit out for 10-15 minutes for easier scooping.
Variations:
- Spices: Add a touch of cinnamon for a deliciously different touch.
- Fruity twist: Add in strawberries, cherries, or another favorite fruit for a completely different flavored ice cream.
- Extracts: Use almond extract instead of vanilla, if you prefer to make almond ice cream.
- Other add-ins: Chocolate chips, chopped toasted nuts, crumbled cookies, and sprinkles are easy mix-ins for a slightly different ice cream.
- Chocolate: add in cocoa!
- Swirls: Swirl in store-bought or homemade dulce de leche for a caramelized milk flavor. Lemon curd, passionfruit curd, or raspberry curd adds a bright, tart counter-punch to the sweet vanilla.
For more freezer-friendly summer desserts, be sure to try Banana Split Freezer Dessert, Orange Creamsicle Frozen Dessert, or 5-Ingredient Frozen Strawberry Royale Dessert.
More homemade ice cream recipes you may want to try:
- Lemon Curd Ice Cream
- Black Cherry Ice Cream
- Mexican Vanilla Ice Cream
- Strawberry Nutella Ice Cream
- Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Recipe
Get the Recipe:
Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 eggs, beaten
- 1 quart half and half
- 1 quart whipping cream
- ¾ cup white sugar
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp. salt
- 2 ½ Tbsp. vanilla
- ice
- rock salt, about 2 cups
Equipment
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl; beat together on medium speed with a hand mixer or stand mixer for 1-2 minutes.
- Fill the ice cream freezer and make according to appliance directions, adding a lot of ice and rock salt, intermixing it.
Notes
Sandy’s tips:
- Storage: Store any leftovers in a covered container in the freezer for up to a month. It’ll keep best in a freezer-safe container with a tightly fitting lid. Scoop and serve as needed!
- Use quality ingredients: Use good-quality cream and vanilla for this recipe. Make sure to use real cream and not cream substitutes for the best flavor and texture.
- Unplug the freezer when done: Make sure when the freezer stops churning, you unplug it! And then, pull out the paddle and place the lid back on, and allow it to continue to freezer (surrounded by ice).
- Best texture and creaminess: Keep the heavy cream chilled until ready to combine with the rest of the ingredients for ultra creamy results.
- Soften before serving: Always allow your frozen ice cream to sit out for 10-15 minutes for easier scooping.
Hello and welcome to my home and table!
I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
Got the idea of the recipe – but what is “half and half” ? Seems like like it maybe half cream & half milk ? As we don’t have it here (in Melbourne Australia) – is it ok to use 500 ml milk and 500 ml regular cream instead ?
1/2 and 1/2 is what we put in our coffee or tea. When a recipe calls for half-and-half, you can substitute 7/8 cup milk plus 1/2 tablespoon of melted butter for ever cup of half-and-half! :)
Would love the recipe for the brownie bar pictured in this post! Could not find the recipe on your website. Thanks!
Hi, Sara. I’m pretty sure they were Vanilla Texas Sheet Cake. Here you go: https://reluctantentertainer.com/vanilla-texas-sheet-cake-recipe/
Does a single batch of this make 4 quarts or would I have to double the recipe?
Yes it does!
I noticed you did not cook the custard. Is it ok with the 3 eggs not to cook the custard. It looks delicious!
You do not cook a custard, yes, there is raw eggs in this ice cream!
What about the raw eggs?
You do not cook the eggs for this recipe, Mary.
If concerned, you can purchase and use pasteurized eggs.
I made this yesterday for a Labor Day party and everyone liked it! I loved the flavor the brown sugar gave this fabulous ice cream. You must try it! Will be my go too from now on.
Thanks for sharing this
Hello Sandy – I just tagged you in a facebook post regarding Scruffy Hospitality. You’ll love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This homemade ice cream looks like it hits the spot.
~Bevy
What a novel idea to add brown sugar to your vanilla ice cream. Even with family reunions once a year which we always have new flavors of ice cream and this year the Blueberry cheesecake was very popular, we hardly ever have anyone that makes vanilla so now I am looking forward to making that before summer is over for a group of my widow ladies I minister to from church!!
Have a great Sunday,
Alice
YUM! I just made homemade blackberry ice cream last week that was so good. I’ll have to try this recipe…and I’m glad you said you’re sharing the brownie recipe because it sounds amazing
Please share your blackberry icecream recipe.
The pop up adds drive me crazy. One after the other??????
I’ll look in to it, Sarah! Thanks for letting me know.
Amen!!!
Sounds like fun evening! It’s great all your “back home friends” continue to come. Those are true friends!
Home made ice cream is the best!! That brownie doesn’t look half bad either! I’ll be watching for that receipe!