This four-ingredient classic vanilla ice cream is the absolute easiest and creamiest. Once you taste it, you will be hooked on this homemade ice cream recipe. With no artificial ingredients and total simplicity, there isn’t any reason not to make homemade ice cream.
You know, I really don’t like to toot my own horn, but this ice cream is just scrumptious. Just ask my family, as they are some ice cream-eating fools. This recipe is one of my favorites, as it really takes less than five minutes to prep and get it into the ice cream maker. Unlike custard base, this ice cream mixture does not use egg yolks, nor does it need to simmer or boil in a saucepan.
Have you tried any of my other ice cream flavors? Chocolate, strawberry, and raspberry ice cream (no churn) are some of our favorites. After all, summer is here, and what better way to cool down than a scoop of homemade ice cream?
Let’s Spill The Tea
- Cuisine style: American
- Taste and texture: creamy, rich, and vanillay (not sure that is even a word)
- Effort and skill: easy peasy
- Pros: It is always a huge hit no matter what time of the year it is
- Cons: someone always finds that scoop you hide in the back of the freeze
Four Ingredients For Great Vanilla Ice Cream
- Granulated sugar
- Half and half: which is half whole milk and half cream
- Heavy cream: or whipping cream
- Vanilla extract: the real thing
Recipe Variations
- Vanilla Chocolate Chip: Add 3 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate chopped very fine or shaved.
- Cookies and Cream: Reduce sugar to 3/4 cup. When the ice cream has finished churning, stir in about 20 quartered chocolate sandwich cookies. I like to use Oreos because they are consistently delicious.
- Cookie Dough: Add 1 1/2 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate chopped very fine and about 1 1/4 cups of edible cookie dough.
- Strawberry Vanilla: Add 1 cup of pureed strawberries to the mixture before churning and stir in 1 cup of finely chopped strawberries after churning.
Recipe Tips for Perfect Vanilla Ice Cream
- Spend the money and use pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste. It is the naturally occurring vanillin that gives it that real vanilla flavor.
- If adding chocolate, use a good-quality brand and chop it really fine, or better yet, shave it.
- Cover ice cream with plastic wrap to prevent ice crystals from forming. Spoon it into an airtight container, and always store it in the back of the freezer so it stays consistently cold.
Frequently Asked Questions
I have always used high-fat dairy products like heavy cream, whipping cream, half-and-half, and whole milk. Most non-dairy milks, such as oat, cashew, and soy, do not have enough fat. Coconut milk and coconut cream have enough fat, but I have never tried this recipe with them.
Check on the ice cream after 25 minutes to see if it is churned enough, as it is possible to over-churn ice cream. Stop churning at soft serve consistency. If churned too long it will become dense with more ice crystals.
Let’s Recap
- This is a quick and creamy vanilla ice cream that requires no cooking and no eggs.
- It is made in an electric ice cream maker with rock salt.
- Everyone loves this creamy vanilla treat.
Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 cups half and half
- 1 tablespoon real vanilla extract or 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
Instructions
- In large bowl whisk together sugar and half and half; until the sugar is dissolved. Whisk in vanilla and whipping cream. Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and follow the manufacturers recommendations.
- Check on ice cream after 25 minutes to see if it has churned enough. Do not over churn.
Notes
- Spend the money and use pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste. It is the naturally occurring vanillin that gives it that real vanilla flavor.
- For a creamy texture, always use dairy with high-fat content. Heavy cream, half-and-half, and whole milk are my go-to choices.
- Check on the ice cream after 25 minutes to see if it is churned enough, as it is possible to over-churn ice cream.
- If adding chocolate use a good quality brand and chop it real fine, or better yet, shave it.
- Cover ice cream with plastic wrap because it prevents ice crystals from forming. Spoon it into an airtight container, and always store ice cream in the back of the freezer so it stays consistently cold.
Amanda
Nothing beats classic vanilla flavor and homeade to boot!
Alita
As far as vanilla ice cream recipes go, this one is the best. Making a vanilla ice cream is something I am proud of.
Karen
I never made ice cream myself! I would love to make ice cream, your recipe is very easy to follow, thank you sooooo much….
Marie
Never tried to make homemade ice cream, I am going to try your recipe. My family loves ice cream so much, especially this summer.
Samantha
My favourite flavor is vanilla and nothing beats homemade ice creaam in my opinion
Beth Pierce
I could not agree more!
Yeah Lifestyle
This was lovely and creamy and very simple to make, I didn’t realise it would be so easy. The vanilla flavour is such classic!
Beth Pierce
Thank you!
Lavanda
Oh my gosh, thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe for vanilla ice cream! It was easy and so delicious!
Brianne
Yummo! I make ice cream all the time during the summer, and I can’t wait to try your recipe. The texture looks great!
Peter
I’ll never understand why anyone would replace pure vanilla bean with extract, when the alcohol taste in it is overwhelming and unpleasant. Extracts are best when used in baking, for a good reason. I’ll always favor pure vanilla bean: nothing beats the real thing.
Tisha
Love making homemade ice cream!!! It’s perfect for a summer treat!
Gail
My family loves ice cream and I can. just imagine how all of us will enjoy a scoop or three of this! Need to make soon!
Tara
Love how the ice cream comes together with only four ingredients! Looks so good and love all the ideas for additions and variations too.
Irina
What a beautiful classic your recipe is. I made it, and it is the best ice cream I have made and tried. Now this recipe is in my recipe collection. Thanks.
Bintu
Such a creamy and delicious dessert! I love that you only need a handful of ingredients.
Melissa
Wow – amazing recipe! I used it over the weekend and it turned out so good!
Emily
This vanilla ice cream recipe is so easy! Love the short list of ingredients. Yum!