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 is absolutely no reason not to make your own 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 because 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 any egg yolks, nor does it need to simmer or boil in a saucepan.
Do you like homemade ice cream? Have you tried any of my other ice cream flavors? Chocolate Ice Cream, Strawberry Ice Cream, and Raspberry Ice Cream (No Churn) are some of our favorites. After all, summer is here, and what better way is there to cool down than a scoop of homemade ice cream?
How to make this Vanilla Ice Cream
First, grab a big bowl and whisk together the sugar and half and half. Keep whisking until the sugar is dissolved. Now whisk in the vanilla extract and the heavy cream. Pour the cream mixture into your ice cream maker and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. I have a rock salt ice cream maker. I always check the ice cream after 25 minutes as it is possible to over-churn the ice cream. When done, it should be the consistency of soft-serve ice cream. Spoon the sherbet into a freezer-safe container like a bread loaf pan. Cover with plastic wrap or wax paper directly on the surface of the ice cream to prevent ice crystals from forming. Freeze for several hours before enjoying a scoop or two with caramel sauce, hot fudge, sprinkle, or my favorite, fresh blueberries.
Recipe additions and 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.
Helpful tips for this 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.
- 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.
More summer desserts you will love!
Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe
This smooth and creamy rich vanilla ice cream takes less than five minutes to prepare for the ice cream maker. It has no artificial ingredients and is made with only wholesome natural ingredients. Be sure to read the section on recipe variations.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes plus chill time
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: dessert
- Method: ice cream churner
- Cuisine: Americen
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.
Keywords: best vanilla ice cream, homemade vanilla ice cream, how to make vanilla ice cream
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Sandra
This is really good!! Such an amazing summer treat!
★★★★★
Erin | Dinners, Dishes and Dessert
Yes, please! I want this with my brownies!
Jupiter Hadley
I have never made homemade vanilla ice cream, but it sounds so simple and easy! Thank you for sharing your recipe, just in time for summer.
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!
Natasha
First homemade ice cream I loved! This recipe is clean and delicious with the perfect texture. My kids enjoyed the ice cream so much.
★★★★★
Laura Reese
This is so creamy!! We loved it and it was so easy to make!
Natalie
Homemade ice cream is the best! It’s so creamy & my kids love that they can add all their favorite toppings!
Sandra
Everyone at my house loved it!! Such a delicious summer treat!
★★★★★
Laura
I can’t believe how easy this recipe is to make! Thanks for sharing!
★★★★★
wilhelmina
This is such a great, classic ice cream recipe! It is so easy an totally delicious!
★★★★★
Lindsay Cotter
This ice cream turned out perfect! Such a fun summer treat!
★★★★★
Sarah
Such a delicious way o cool down on another hot summer day! Excited to enjoy this again this afternoon!
★★★★★
cathy
You’re right…it was absolutely the easiest and delicious to make and eat!
★★★★★
Tara!
This was really amazing!! So good and delicious! Planning to make it again!
★★★★★
Beti
My kids would love this ice cream!! Can’t wait to try it!
★★★★★
katerina
My favorite ice cream flavor! Looks SO delicious!!
★★★★★
Suzy
Such a delicious and creamy ice cream! It was so easy to put together and tasty too!
★★★★★
Catalina
Vanilla Ice Cream is a classic and goes well with a lot of toppings! Love it!
★★★★★
Catalina
I am making it so often for my family during the hot days! And it’s so tasty! It’s simple, easy to make and always delicious!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Catalina! So glad that your family likes the vanilla ice cream!
Cathy
Homemade makes ALL the difference with ice cream!
Lauren k
Nothing beats homemade ice cream! Thank you for this yummy recipe!
★★★★★