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...
I’ve made homemade ice cream for over 35 years. This recipe has stream lined the process. I’ve made vanilla and chocolate both have been crowd pleasers. Many think they’re custard. I’m glad I stumbled open this recipe.
I do not like to make ice cream with eggs, if you don’t cook it first, what is your thoughts on that thank you
Hi, Jim. You need eggs for this recipe!!
This recipe is tried and true and a proven crowd-pleaser over the last 50+ years!
Jim use pasteurized eggs and it’s 100% safe.
We are currently churning the cream. When I mixed it up with my free range chicken eggs, brought a pleasant. Arroma into my kitchen. I used half maple sugar and half brown sugar. Caleb is mixing it as I write this post. The children all giggled & had a blast churning the cream. Thanks for the recipe!
If I use 6 eggs, do I have to change recipe???
I’ve only made it by the exact recipe, Diana.
Your recipe is almost like my Granny’s except zhe used 6 (raw eggs)…its been a family tradtion all my life (i am 71 yr. young).
Always brings back good warm memories every time i make it…so glad i came ac egg oss your recipe
…
How fun! The eggs are what makes the recipe so good! :)
Hello. I’ve been looking for an old fashioned ice cream recipe so thanks for sharing. I didn’t see anyone ask if the brown sugar was dark or light and there is a difference in taste and consistency of the finished recipe. I’m a first time ice cream maker so please advise if you use the dark or light brown sugar. Thanks
I’ve used both; they are both delicious!
I grew up eating homemade ice cream at my grandmother made. All of us grandkids used to have to take turns turning the wheel thank God for electric ice cream makers now LOL. I’ve made this recipe a couple times now and everybody loves it fantastic job thank you!
Just made it and we all loved it. It was easy to make and tasted great.
Can a person not use brown sugar and use only white sugar?
Yes!
Sandy, can you add chocolate in some fashion to this recipe?
Yes, you can add cocoa? Search on my blog the “Homemade Chocolate Ice Cream” recipe and follow that.