Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe

Name: Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
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

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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 no reason not to make homemade ice cream.

Vanilla Ice Cream in a small white bowl topped with chocolate shavings.

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 a custard base, this ice cream mixture does not use egg yolks and does not 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?

Vanilla Ice cream in a dish before serving.

Ingredient Notes and Substitution

Granulated Sugar: You can substitute honey or maple syrup in a 1:1 ratio.
Half and Half: This is a mixture of equal parts whole milk and cream.
Heavy Cream: You can substitute whipping cream.
Vanilla Extract: Use the pure stuff or substitute the liquid for vanilla paste.

How to Make Vanilla Ice Cream

In a large bowl, whisk together the half-and-half and sugar. Mix in the vanilla and whipping cream. Pour into the ice cream maker.
Check on the ice cream after 25 minutes.

Vanilla Ice Cream in an ice cream maker.

Recipe Variations

Vanilla Chocolate Chip: Add 3 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate, chopped very fine or shaved.
Cookies and Cream: Reduce sugar to ¾ 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 1½ ounces of semi-sweet chocolate, chopped very fine, and about 1¼ 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.

Vanilla Ice Cream in a cone laid down with chocolate shavings spread around.

Preparation Tips

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 very finely, or, better yet, shave it.
Cover the 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

Can I substitute other dairy products?

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.

Can you over-churn ice cream?

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.

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