Vanilla Ice Cream

Creamy and rich, this homemade vanilla ice cream is a delicious frozen treat for any time of year. It’s an easy churned ice cream recipe full of that classic vanilla flavor that makes it perfect on its own or as a sidekick for air fryer apple pie slices, chocolate brownies, Slow Cooker Cinnamon Apples, or an ice cream float.

You’ll love this recipe that uses essential pantry ingredients and with the help of your ice cream maker, will create the most delectable vanilla ice cream that’s better than any store-bought version!

This rich and creamy vanilla ice cream is made with eggs, but unlike most custard-based ice creams, there’s no stovetop tempering or cooking of the eggs required. This no-cook version uses pasteurized eggs for a worry-free experience.

I love this vanilla ice cream recipe because it provides the perfect base for toppings and mix-ins. While the ice cream is churning away becoming thick and creamy, dream about what inclusions you can fold in for customized ice cream, or what yummy toppings you can drizzle on for extra scrumptiousness. My suggestions are down below.

Ingredients Needed

Eggs – The eggs help make the ice cream rich and creamy. Use pasteurized eggs.

Sugar – For sweetness. Use white granulated sugar.

Heavy Cream – This is a must to keep the ice cream thick, rich and creamy.

Whole Milk – Don’t skimp and use anything other than whole milk. The ice cream needs fat to keep it rich and thick.

Vanilla Extract – Use the real deal, not an imitation vanilla flavor.

How To Make Vanilla Ice Cream

1. Using a handheld or stand mixer, beat eggs until light and foamy. Slow add in the sugar and mix until blended.
2. Add in the heavy cream, milk, and vanilla, and mix until well combined.
3. Pour into an ice cream maker to churn and freeze according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
4. For firmer ice cream, transfer the ice cream to a freezer-safe container and freeze for 4 to 6 hours.

Do I Need To Use Special Eggs For This Recipe?

I always use pasteurized eggs for this recipe. The USDA has deemed raw eggs safe to eat if they are pasteurized.

How Much Ice Cream Does This Recipe Make?

Once frozen, you’ll have about 1 ½ quart.

How Do I Get Vanilla Flecks In The Ice Cream?

Vanilla flecks are formed when you scrape the vanilla bean seeds from a vanilla pod. This recipe doesn’t call for that, but you certainly can do that, if you wish.

Another way to get those charming flecks to show up in your ice cream is to use vanilla bean paste. Just use it in place of vanilla extract, in the same amount as the recipe calls for.

Soft Serve Versus Frozen Ice Cream

While it’s true that you can enjoy this scrumptious vanilla ice cream directly from the ice cream maker, it will be on the soft side. Yes, it’s technically frozen, but the texture will be soft. I find it’s best eaten in a bowl when it’s freshly churned. It would not hold up well on an ice cream cone!

That said, after I sneak a few sweet bites, I transfer it to a freezer-friendly loaf pan, cover it, and put it in the freezer for at least 4-6 hours to firm up.

Topping Ideas

It’s hard to resist topping vanilla ice cream with a little something extra, and here are a few classics that will always make it a tasty treat.

• Hot Chocolate Fudge
• Caramel Sauce
• Strawberry Topping
• Sprinkles
• Cookie Crumbles
• Shaved Chocolate

Mix-In Suggestions

You can add these mix-ins during the final few minutes of churning the ice cream or fold them in by hand when you transfer the churned ice cream to a loaf pan.

• Chips (chocolate, peanut butter, etc)
• Chopped Oreo Cookies (or your favorite cookie)
• Chopped Peanut Butter Cups (or your favorite candy)
• Chopped Nuts
• Brownie Bits
• Fudge Ripple or Caramel Ripple – Drizzle it on top of the ice cream in a loaf pan and then swirl it through with a knife before freezing.
• Peanut Butter Ripple – Dollop the peanut butter on top of the ice cream in a loaf pan and then swirl it through with a knife before freezing.
• Fresh Fruit – be sure and chop or dice the fresh fruit, such as strawberries, peaches, cherries, etc., into bite-sized pieces, if needed, before folding into the ice cream and freezing.

Related Ice Cream Recipes

No-Churn Mocha Chip Ice Cream

Copycat Starbucks Birthday Cake Frappuccino

Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream

Snow Ice Cream

Coffee Vanilla Ice Cream Pie