This 3-ingredient homemade vanilla ice cream is great! I love that you don’t need an ice cream machine to make it as well as so few ingredients!
Vanilla Ice Cream is the most popular ice cream flavor in the United States, maybe even the world. You can enjoy it plain or with so many toppings. It goes well with root beer floats, banana splits, sundaes, on top of pies, etc. It is really fun and easy to make at home, and great on a hot summer day. If I can do it, you can do it. Let’s get started!
Gather the ingredients and tools
You will need just 3 simple ingredients to make this vanilla ice cream:
- Heavy Whipping Cream – You can’t make ice cream without cream!
- Vanilla extract – This is what gives it that yummy vanilla flavor. You can use vanilla bean paste as well.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk – It will add sweetness to the ice cream and help with the texture. Do not use whole milk.
Tools
- Mixer
- Spatula
- plastic wrap (optional)
- Large mixing bowl
- Freezer bowl with lid
NOTE: This is perfect for people how can’t have eggs, because this recipe doesn’t use egg yolks, like other custard based vanilla ice cream recipes.
How to make homemade Vanilla Ice Cream with just 3 ingredients
In a large bowl, add the heavy whipping cream. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer and mix the cream until fully whipped with stiff peaks.
Add the can of sweetened condensed milk to the freshly made whipped cream also add the vanilla extract. Mix the ingredients with the mixer until just combined. This will make the ice cream base.
Add the 3-ingredient vanilla ice cream mixture to a plastic bowl, or something like a bread loaf pan will work. Then add a piece of plastic wrap on top.
TIP: Do you like chocolate chips in your ice cream? Now is the time to add it before you freeze it.
Make sure to push it down so it touches the top of the ice cream. This will help prevent ice crystals from forming. Add a lid to the bowl and stick it in the freezer. No need to deal with ice and rock salt or anything like that.
After about 4 hours, the consistency will resemble soft serve vanilla ice cream. Leave it in for a few more hours or overnight for a more traditional ice cream consistency.
Scoop that homemade vanilla ice cream
Once the delicious ice cream has hardened, scoop it out and serve it however you like with all your favorite toppings like caramel sauce, chocolate sauce, whipped cream, berries, etc.
Now it is time to serve up that creamy vanilla ice cream. It will taste a bit different than a traditional custard-style churn ice cream recipe that was made in an ice cream maker and different than store-bought ice cream that you get at the grocery store. But hey, it still tastes great, has a nice creamy texture, and is super duper easy to make. Give this simple, sweet treat a try sometime! It’s so fun to make your own ice cream at home. Enjoy!
How long does homemade vanilla ice cream last?
If stored in an airtight container in the freezer the delicious homemade ice cream will last a few weeks before crystallization happens.
Can I add fresh fruit to this easy homemade ice cream recipe?
Yes! You can fold in a strawberry puree or fresh strawberries, peach puree, other fresh berries, etc. Just add them after the whipped cream and sweetened condensed milk have been mixed together.
How can I make chocolate ice cream?
If you would like to make chocolate ice cream it is pretty much identical to this. Just follow this no churn chocolate ice cream recipe. It only takes 3 ingredients as well.
Here are a few other ice cream recipes you may like:
Homemade Chocolate Ice Cream In a Bag
Ice Cream Sandwiches Only 3 Ingredients
3 Ingredient No-Churn Vanilla Ice Cream
Equipment
- Mixer
- Spatula
- Plastic wrap (optional)
- Bowl with lid
Ingredients
- 2 cups of heavy whipping cream 500ml
- 1 tsp of vanilla extract 5ml
- 14 oz of sweetened condensed milk 397g
Instructions
- Begin by adding the heavy whipping cream to a large bowl and mixing it until stiff peaks form.
- Add the vanilla extract and sweetened condensed milk and mix until just combined.
- Pour the vanilla ice cream base into a freezer-safe bowl. Add plastic wrap so it covers and touches the top of the ice cream. Add the lid and place it in the freezer for 6 hours or more. If you like soft-serve it will be ready in about 4 hours.
- Serve the ice cream with your favorite toppings. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
Do you like this easy homemade vanilla ice cream recipe? Please give it a rating and comment down below. I really appreciate it. If you make it, tag me on Instagram @inthekitchenwithmatt. Also, sign up for the newsletter so you won’t miss out on any of my new posts and recipes.
hihi matt! this was so good, i loved the texture and taste a lot! maybe i didn’t mix in the condensed milk properly, but its taste was super strong and concentrated, which made the ice cream very sweet. next time i make this, i’ll make add less condensed milk to match my preference. thanks for the recipe!
You are very welcome! Glad you gave it a try and liked it. 🙂
Hi, Matt! I just had to stop by and write a 5 Star Review for your 3 ingredient chocolate AND vanilla ice cream! I love ice cream, but the dairy and the sugar don’t love me back. Soooo, I used 100% grass fed heavy cream by Origin Milk, organic cacao (for the chocolate), and organic vanilla paste and extract for the vanilla. As a sugar substitute, I used Wholesome Yum’s monk fruit & allulose granulated and brown sugar flavors, and made my own sweetened condensed milk. I could NOT believe how easy this was! And how decidedly SCRUMPTIOUS!!! My friends ranted and raved and ranted again!😂😂 Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU, Matt!!! Can’t wait to experiment with other flavors this summer!
That is awesome Dianne!! I am glad you were able to make substitutions to fit your needs. You are so very welcome! 🙂
My 8 year old granddaughter and I made this today. I cannot wait to see how it turns out.
Awesome! Glad you gave it a try!
With the no churn ice cream you can use a magic bullet.Works great!
Yes!
Hi Matt, this recipe was so easy to make and delicious I can’t wait to try out more recipes
Thank you Patricia! Glad you tried this 3 ingredient vanilla ice cream recipe and liked it!
This is a great recipe and nutritionally better than store bought.
What is the quantity of finished product?
Thanks Joan! It makes about 8 servings or about 30 ounces of ice cream.
If I wanted to add strawberry or any fruit or preserves how much of that can be added without changing the texture of the mix?
Add about a quarter cup to half of a cup of chopped strawberries. Add about 1/4 of fruit preserves.
wow its amazing, ty very much il try it later
Thank you! You are welcome.
Thanks, it was helpful to me.
You are very welcome!
Ice creamly 🍨 🍨..
Thanks!