No-Churn Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe (with Video!)

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You’ll be AMAZED at how easy it is to make delicious homemade vanilla ice cream using the no-churn method (no need for an ice cream maker)! It only takes four ingredients and sets into the perfect creamy and velvety, yet firm and scoopable consistency in the freezer. You can use vanilla extract, vanilla bean paste, or an actual vanilla bean to flavor this ice cream beautifully. And while it’s absolutely delicious all on its own, it also makes the perfect base recipe for creating all kinds of other flavors! A few of my favorite mix-ins and flavor ideas are listed at the end of this blog post. 

No-Churn Vanilla Ice Cream Ingredients

There are just four ingredients that go into this no-churn vanilla ice cream recipe:

• Heavy Whipping Cream. After beating to stiff peaks, the heavy whipping cream is folded together with the rest of the ingredients to add structure and create that creamy, velvety texture.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk. Not only sweetens the ice cream but also acts as the foundation for the ice cream flavor. 
• Vanilla. You can use vanilla extract, vanilla bean paste, or a vanilla bean for flavoring this ice cream! I used vanilla bean paste for ice cream pictured and love seeing the little vanilla bean flecks.
• Pinch of Salt. To balance the sweetness beautifully. 

How to Make No-Churn Vanilla Ice Cream

Beat the Heavy Whipping Cream

In a large chilled bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream to stiff peaks and place back in the refrigerator. 

Combine the Rest of the Ingredients

Pour the sweetened condensed milk into a medium bowl, then whisk in the vanilla and a pinch of salt. 

Fold with the Heavy Whipping Cream

Pour the vanilla condensed milk mixture into the whipped cream and fold until well combined. 

Add into a Container and Freeze

Add the vanilla ice cream mixture into a container (I always use a loaf pan), then cover with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and freeze overnight (or for 6-8 hours). 

No-Churn Vanilla Ice Cream Video Tutorial

Here’s a quick video I made to show you the entire process of making this no-churn vanilla ice cream. Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel for more recipe videos like this one! 

No-Churn Vanilla Ice Cream Toppings & Mix-In Ideas 

One of my favorite things about no-churn ice cream is that you can mix in all kinds of things to create other flavors. Just be sure to limit the amount of add-ins to 2 cups or less so your loaf pan isn’t overflowing. Here are a few of my favorite ideas for a no-churn vanilla ice cream base. 

• Cookie Dough. Fold in ½ batch of my edible chocolate chip cookie dough to create cookie dough ice cream.
• S’mores. My no-churn s’mores ice cream recipe uses this vanilla ice cream base, but with graham crackers and toasted mini marshmallows folded in, plus ribbons of marshmallow creme and fudge sauce.
• Chopped Oreos. Add up to 2 cups of chopped Oreos (or any crunchy cookie) to make cookies & cream ice cream! 
• Coffee. Add 2 tablespoons of instant espresso powder to the sweetened condensed milk to make coffee ice cream! This flavor is amazing with mini chocolate chips or a chopped chocolate bar folded in at the end too. 
• Fruit Preserves. Ribbon the vanilla ice cream in the loaf pan with fruit preserves for pockets of jammy goodness! 
• Caramel Ribbons. Swirl the ice cream in the loaf pan with ribbons of thick caramel sauce or salted caramel.
• Mint Chocolate Chip. Make mint chocolate chip by adding 1 teaspoon of mint extract to the condensed milk mixture and folding in 1 Cup of chopped chocolate or mini chocolate chips at the end. 
• Ice Cream Sundae. Top the vanilla ice cream with hot fudge sauce and rainbow sprinkles for a classic ice cream sundae.

No-Churn Ice Cream FAQs

• How does it work without a machine? Whipping the heavy cream to stiff peaks adds just the right amount of air to make the ice cream structured and smooth, and the sweetened condensed milk lowers the freezing point so it stays creamy and velvety. 
• Can I use evaporated milk instead of sweetened condensed milk? No. While the cans look similar and they’re often sold right next to each other, evaporated milk and sweetened condensed milk are entirely different and will not work the same. 
• How do I make a dairy-free no-churn ice cream? Swap the heavy whipping cream for full-fat coconut cream (refrigerated until cold) and the sweetened condensed milk for sweetened condensed coconut milk. 
• How do I store no-churn ice cream? I always make mine in a loaf pan and cover it with aluminum foil or plastic wrap initially. If you’re planning on storing it for longer than a few days (mine never lasts that long in a house full of boys!), add it into an airtight plastic container and it will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 months. 

Try These Recipes Next

If you’re a no-churn ice cream fan now, here are some more recipes from my blog to add to your baking list:

• No-Churn Berry Crisp Ice Cream
• No-Churn Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream
• No-Churn Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
• No-Churn Chocolate Ice Cream
• No-Churn S’mores Ice Cream

I hope you love this homemade vanilla ice cream recipe as much as I do! Let me know what you think in the comments below (don’t forget to rate the recipe!) and feel free to tag @sugarandsparrowco on Instagram to show me a photo.