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This homemade vanilla ice cream is my go to ice cream recipe. I use it as a starting point for all my favorite flavored ice creams.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe!
Because it’s the best homemade ice cream recipe ever!!
I am a plain jane when it comes to ice cream, my husband calls me boring but I love a good, simple vanilla ice cream. Every once in a while I will add a topping to it, maybe a few sprinkles but I love it plain the most. I have used this ice cream recipe for years and years. This recipe is the starting point for many of the other ice cream recipes here on the blog but it is definitely a stand alone ice cream! The taste and flavor are amazing.
Ingredients Needed
- Milk. I use a combination of whole milk, heavy whipping cream and half and half. If you are unable to buy half and half where you live you can replace it with equal amounts of milk and heavy cream.
- Sugar.
- Vanilla Extract.
- Salt.
Tips from Leigh Anne
- The key to a good vanilla ice cream is of course the type of vanilla that you use. Pure Vanilla Extract can be expensive but this ice cream is the time to splurge and use the good stuff. Since vanilla is your main flavor in this ice cream, you want it to be a good one. I always use pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste when making this ice cream.
How to Make Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe
- Mix together all ingredients in a bowl, whisking together and pour into ice cream machine.
- Churn according to manufacturer’s instructions.
- Put ice cream into an insulated ice cream container like this and allow it to firm up in the freezer. You can enjoy it immediately but it will have more of a soft serve ice cream texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will homemade ice cream last in the freezer?
Stored in an airtight, insulated ice cream container it will last for a couple of weeks.
Do I have to use an ice cream maker?
This homemade ice cream recipe is designed to be made in an ice cream maker and is not meant to be a no churn ice cream.
What kind of ice cream maker do you use?
I use a Cuisinart 2 qt. ice cream maker. I then transfer the ice cream into this insulated ice cream container to let the ice cream harden up.
Favorite Ice Cream Add Ins
If I am going to add anything into my ice cream one of my favorite things is to add on are some sprinkles! Sprinkles just make me happy. Other choices include:
- Mini Chocolate Chips
- Crushed up Oreos or other cookies
- Waffle Cone pieces
- Mini M & Ms
- Toffee Bits
- Malted Milk Balls or other candy
Some of our other favorite ice cream based desserts include:
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Vanilla Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 cups half & half half cream, half milk
- 1 1/2 Tbsp pure vanilla use the good stuff
- 2 cups whipping cream
Instructions
- Mix together all ingredients and pour into 2 qt. ice cream maker.
- Follow manufacturer’s directions.
- After ice cream has set up, stir in add in (mini chocolate chips, crushed cookies etc.)
Tips & Notes:
Recommended Products
Nutrition Facts:
This recipe was originally posted in August 10, 2012.
Ira says
And how can we make a good ice-cream without the ice-cream maker? Any suggestions?
Leigh Anne says
Ira, Have you tried a no churn ice cream – here is a recipe to one. It requires no ice cream makerhttps://www.yourhomebasedmom.com/no-churn-smores-ice-cream/
Chris says
Made it for a church ice cream social and it was great. I used vanilla paste equally and it worked! Simple and very good. Keeping this in the file. Thanks.
Leigh Anne says
Glad you liked it! Vanilla paste is great.
Kat says
This ice cream rocks! My mix in of choice was raspberries. mmm. I made it for our neighborhood block party and it was a huge hit. I now have a go to vanilla ice cream base recipe. Thanks!
Leigh Anne says
Kat, I bet it was fantastic with raspberries!
Wren says
Have you every used vanilla bean paste instead pure vanilla? I’m assuming that it is an extract.
Leigh Anne says
I have used vanilla bean paste in other recipes but not the ice cream. I would think it would work just fine!
Wren says
Can I add in macadamia nuts?
Leigh Anne says
You can add in whatever you’d like – nuts would be great!