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Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

A quick and easy homemade vanilla ice cream recipe that is creamy, smooth, and packed with rich vanilla flavor. Perfect for satisfying sweet cravings without complicated steps or special equipment. This recipe can be adapted for various dietary preferences and is a perfect base for mix-ins and toppings.

Ingredients

Scale

Base Ingredients

  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Gather all your ingredients: Measure out heavy cream, whole milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt, ensuring everything is fresh and ready to combine for optimal flavor.
  2. Mix the base: In a large bowl, whisk together the milk and sugar until the sugar dissolves completely, then stir in the heavy cream, vanilla extract, and salt until fully combined.
  3. Chill the mixture: Cover the mixture and refrigerate it for at least an hour. Chilling helps the flavors meld and allows the ice cream to churn more smoothly.
  4. Churn the ice cream: Pour your chilled base into an ice cream maker and churn according to your machine’s instructions, usually about 20-25 minutes, until it reaches a soft-serve consistency.
  5. Freeze to firm up: Transfer the churned ice cream to an airtight container and place in the freezer for at least two hours to set before serving.
  6. No ice cream maker? If you don’t have an ice cream maker, pour the mixture into a shallow dish, freeze, and stir vigorously every 30 minutes for 2-3 hours to break up ice crystals and achieve creaminess.

Notes

  • Chill everything first: Keep your mixing bowl and utensils cold to speed up the freezing process and improve texture.
  • Use pure vanilla: Choose high-quality vanilla extract or vanilla bean for authentic, vibrant flavor.
  • Avoid over-churning: Stop churning once the mixture thickens to soft serve to prevent a dense texture.
  • Don’t skip chilling the base: Well-chilled mixture freezes better and creates smoother ice cream.
  • Store properly: Use airtight, freezer-safe containers to avoid ice crystals forming during storage.

Nutrition

Keywords: vanilla ice cream, homemade ice cream, easy ice cream, creamy ice cream, no churn ice cream