No Churn Ice Cream

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Inside: No Churn Ice Cream is an easy way to make frozen treats without having to store an ice cream maker.

Have you seen the latest craze in homemade ice cream? It’s called No Churn Ice Cream and it is super simple to make, no expensive ice cream maker necessary.  

For an easy vanilla ice cream, it takes just 3 simple ingredients- heavy cream, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla. (If you want other flavors, it WILL take a couple more ingredients.)

You mix the ingredients, spoon it into a loaf pan, and freeze until solid. It makes a totally easy, delicious ice cream without any special equipment.

no churn ice cream
This amazing no churn ice cream is so easy to make and you can make it in your favorite flavor!

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My family tried no churn ice cream at the end of last summer and loved it. Then cold weather came, and we promptly forgot about it. This year however, we have been making it a lot. I’ve come up with several flavor variations too, that will breathe new life into your ice cream game.

For all the variations below, feel free to use the quantities of add-ins you would like. I’ve just listed my suggested amounts. Also, feel free to invent your own flavors. This recipe is very forgiving, so its gonna be good no matter what you do!

A Note on Using Sweetened Condensed Milk

For those of you who frown on using sweetened condensed milk, there are recipes on the internet (here is one) if you would like to make your own. However, that considerably increases the time needed to make this because the sweetened condensed milk has to be made and cooled before using.

The sweetened condensed milk that I buy from Aldi or Walmart only has two ingredients, milk and sugar. I’m not claiming it’s a healthy food, but ice cream is supposed to be a treat anyway, right?

4 different flavors of no churn ice cream
4 different flavors of no churn ice cream

No Churn Ice Cream Flavors:

  • S’mores (our family’s favorite) – Fold 1/2 cup crumbled graham crackers + 1/2 cup mini marshmallows + 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips into the basic recipe.
  • Mint Chocolate Chip – Use the basic recipe but switch the vanilla extract for 1 teaspoon mint extract + 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips.
  • Lemon – Make the basic recipe but fold in 1/2 cup crumbled lemon cookies and then swirl in 1/2 cup lemon curd. Leave streaks of the lemon curd showing.
  • Caramel – Make the basic recipe but swirl in 1/2 cup caramel ice cream topping.
  • Chocolate Swirl – Make the basic recipe but swirl in 1/2 chocolate ice cream topping.
  • Cookies & Cream – Make the basic recipe but fold in 10 chopped chocolate sandwich cookies (like Oreos).
  • Peach – Finely dice one or two ripe peaches and fold them into the ice cream.
  • Banana split – Finely chop 1 banana, a few strawberries, and a few maraschino cherries. Stir into the basic recipe. Gently swirl in 1/2 cup chocolate ice cream topping.
  • Banana Pudding – Finely chop 1 or 2 bananas and stir in some crushed vanilla wafers to the ice cream before freezing.

Here is the basic no-churn ice cream recipe. You’ll find a printable copy at the bottom of the post.

No Churn Ice Cream

Ingredients:

  • 2 to 2 1/2 cups heaving whipping cream
  • 1 can sweetened condensed milk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • add-ins* optional

A note on the amount of heavy whipping cream – My original recipe calls for 2 cups. Over the years as our taste buds have changed, we found that the ice cream was too sweet.

Instead of using part of a can of sweetened condensed milk (and having to figure out what to do with the rest of it) I just used more heavy cream. As a bonus, you get more ice cream this way too!

Instructions:

  1. Whip the cream to stiff peaks. Do not whip too long or you will make butter! In another bowl, stir the vanilla into the sweetened condensed milk.
  2. Fold about 1/3 of the whipped cream into the sweetened condensed milk until fully incorporated, then fold in the remaining 2/3. (I have added the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla directly to the mixer, but it isn’t quite as fluffy. Choose whether you are OK washing a separate bowl or would rather the ice cream be a little denser.)
  3. When the cream is fully mixed in, fold in the add-ins. (See below for lots of variations) I usually reserve a small amount of the add-ins to decorate the top.
  4. Pour into a loaf pan. A metal pan works best because it will freeze the ice cream faster. Freeze for at least 4 hours.
  5. Scoop into bowls and enjoy.

No Churn Ice Cream

No-Churn Ice Cream is super simple to make, no expensive ice cream maker necessary. With just 3 ingredients you can make a great vanilla ice cream.
Prep Time15 minutes
Freezing time4 hours
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 10 servings
Author: Julie B.

Ingredients

  • 2 to 2 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream -see notes below
  • 1 can sweetened condensed milk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • add-ins* optional

Instructions

  • Whip the cream to stiff peaks. Do not whip too long or you will make butter! In another bowl, stir the vanilla into the sweetened condensed milk.
  • Fold about 1/3 of the whipped cream into the sweetened condensed milk until fully incorporated, then fold in the remaining 2/3. (I have added the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla directly to the mixer, but it isn’t quite as fluffy. Choose whether you are OK washing a separate bowl or would rather the ice cream be a little denser.)
  • When the cream is fully mixed in, fold in the add-ins. (See below for lots of variations) I usually reserve a small amount of the add-ins to decorate the top.
  • Pour into a loaf pan. A metal pan works best because it will freeze the ice cream faster. Freeze for at least 4 hours.
  • Scoop into bowls and enjoy.

Notes

Over the years our taste buds have changed and we found the original recipe to be too sweet so instead of using 2 cups of heavy whipping cream we now use 2 1/2 cups.
*Add-ins:
  • S’mores (our family’s favorite) – Fold 1/2 cup crumbled graham crackers + 1/2 cup mini marshmallows + 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips into the basic recipe.
  • Mint Chocolate Chip – Use the basic recipe but switch the vanilla extract for 1 teaspoon mint extract + 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips.
  • Lemon – Make the basic recipe but fold in 1/2 cup crumbled lemon cookies and then swirl in 1/2 cup lemon curd. Leave streaks of the lemon curd showing.
  • Caramel – Make the basic recipe but swirl in 1/2 cup caramel ice cream topping.
  • Chocolate Swirl – Make the basic recipe but swirl in 1/2 chocolate ice cream topping.
  • Cookies & Cream – Make the basic recipe but fold in 10 chopped chocolate sandwich cookies (like Oreos).
  • Peach – Finely dice one or two ripe peaches and fold them into the ice cream.
  • Banana split – Finely chop 1 banana, a few strawberries, and a few maraschino cherries. Stir into the basic recipe. Gently swirl in 1/2 cup chocolate ice cream topping.
  • Banana Pudding – Finely chop 1 or 2 bananas and stir in some crushed vanilla wafers to the ice cream before freezing.

A Few More Flavor Ideas:

If you are looking for a chocolate no churn ice cream, try this recipe from An Oregon Cottage. I’ve not tried it yet, but it looks great and is just as easy.

Also, this recipe from Heavenly Homemakers looks simple and delicious if you like strawberry ice cream. It doesn’t use sweetened condensed milk but relies on maple syrup for the sweetener.

For another cool, creamy dessert try Frozen Strawberry Delight.

Have you tried no churn ice cream yet? What flavor should I try next?

Meet Julie

I’m a farm girl born and bred in North Carolina. I’ve been growing a vegetable garden for over 20 years (and helping my Mom grow hers even longer). I’ve been raising chickens in my bathtub and backyard for 12+ years. I believe that homegrown food can be made simple. Let’s get started.

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