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Bowl of chocolate chip ice cream
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4 from 1 vote

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.