Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream
A classic, creamy vanilla ice cream made from scratch with just five pantry staples. This foolproof recipe delivers rich flavor and silky texture—perfect on its own or as a base for endless mix-in possibilities.
Equipment
- 1 KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker Attachment
- 1 Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker
- 1 Heatproof Mixing Bowl
- 1 Whisk
- 1 Airtight Freezer-Safe Container
Ingredients
- 1½ cups heavy cream
- 1½ cups whole milk
- ⅔ cup cane sugar
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon fine sea salt
Instructions
- Heat and Blend the Base
- In a medium saucepan, combine the heavy cream, whole milk, cane sugar, vanilla extract, and sea salt. Set the pan over medium-low heat and stir frequently with a whisk. Warm the mixture gently for about 5 minutes, just until the sugar fully dissolves and the liquid is evenly heated. Do not boil.
- Cool and Chill Completely
- Once warmed, transfer the mixture to a heat-safe bowl. Cover with a lid or plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator. Allow it to chill thoroughly for at least 2 hours, or ideally overnight. This step ensures better texture and churning efficiency.
- Churn to Creamy Perfection
- Give the chilled mixture a quick whisk to recombine any settled ingredients. Pour it into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer's instructions. Most machines will take 20 to 30 minutes to reach a soft-serve consistency.
- Firm Up in the Freezer
- Scoop the churned ice cream into an airtight, freezer-safe container. For a firmer scoop, freeze for an additional 2 to 4 hours before serving. This extra freezing time allows the texture to solidify for a traditional ice cream finish.
- Serve and Store Smartly
- Enjoy right away or keep stored in the freezer for up to 1 month. If the ice cream hardens too much, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before scooping.
Notes
- This recipe yields approximately 1 quart of ice cream.
- For best results, place your ice cream maker’s freezer bowl in the freezer at least 12 hours in advance—ideally overnight.
- Customize your base by folding in add-ins like crushed cookies, chocolate chips, or fruit during the last few minutes of churning.
- To make it dairy-free, swap the cream and milk for full-fat coconut milk, and adjust the sugar to taste.
- Use high-quality vanilla extract for the richest, most fragrant flavor.
