Description
Discover pure happiness with this easy homemade ice cream recipe featuring a creamy vanilla base that you can customize with your favorite mix-ins like chocolate chips or crushed cookies. Made with simple ingredients and minimal effort, this recipe allows you to enjoy fresh, delicious ice cream from your own kitchen without any complicated steps.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Optional Mix-ins
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup crushed cookies
- 1/2 cup fruit mix-ins
Instructions
- Combine sugar, milk, and salt: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, whole milk, and a pinch of salt until the sugar is completely dissolved to ensure a smooth base.
- Add cream and vanilla: Stir in the heavy cream and pure vanilla extract gently to combine the flavors evenly.
- Chill the mixture: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the mixture for at least 2 hours, allowing it to become thoroughly chilled for optimal texture.
- Churn or freeze: If using an ice cream maker, churn the mixture according to the manufacturer’s instructions until it reaches a soft-serve texture. Alternatively, pour the mixture into a freezer-safe container if you do not have an ice cream maker.
- Manual freezing and stirring: When freezing without a machine, stir the mixture every 30 minutes for 2-3 hours to break up ice crystals and maintain a creamy consistency.
- Add mix-ins: Once the mixture reaches a soft-serve consistency, fold in any optional add-ins such as chocolate chips, crushed cookies, or fruit evenly.
- Final freeze: Freeze the ice cream for an additional 2-3 hours or until firm enough to scoop.
- Serve: Allow the ice cream to sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before scooping and serving to let it soften slightly for a perfect texture.
Notes
- Make sure the sugar is fully dissolved for a smooth ice cream texture.
- Chilling the mixture before churning or freezing improves the ice cream’s creaminess.
- If not using an ice cream maker, consistent stirring is key to prevent large ice crystals.
- Feel free to experiment with different mix-ins to customize your ice cream.
- Allow the ice cream to soften slightly at room temperature before serving for easier scooping.
