You can find vanilla ice cream in any supermarket, but it will never compare to the flavor of the homemade version. This homemade ice cream is rich and velvety, boasting a decadent vanilla taste that chocolate lovers will also enjoy. And what's the greatest aspect?
This easy-to-make recipe for homemade ice cream is simple. We're discussing 5 ingredients and around 15 minutes of active preparation. To be fully transparent, there are several passive sections in this recipe that demand a bit of patience.
Vanilla Ice Cream Ingredients List
Lykkers, our recipe for homemade vanilla ice cream begins with five essential ingredients:
Heavy cream – It forms the luxurious ice cream foundation. For a non-dairy option, take a look at this vegan ice cream recipe!
Full-fat milk – We do not suggest substituting it with low-fat or skim varieties. The elevated cholesterol content in whole milk guarantees that the ice cream made at home is creamy rather than icy.
Sugar cane – For sweetness.
Vanilla extract – For a cozy vanilla taste. If you have vanilla bean paste available, it's an enjoyable substitute. It imparts the ice cream a similarly rich vanilla taste, along with a dotted appearance of vanilla beans.
And salt – To enhance all the flavors!
7 Easy Homemade Ice Cream Recipes (No Ice Cream Machine)
Video by The Cooking Foodie
How to Prepare Ice Cream at Home
So, you've got your components! Here’s the straightforward approach to making ice cream:
The top priority is! Freeze the bowl of your ice cream maker at least 12 hours prior to making homemade ice cream. It must be completely cooled for the ice cream to harden.
Now, prepare the ice cream base. We suggest completing this step between 2 to 24 hours beforehand. If you do it fewer than 2 hours beforehand, the ice cream won’t firm up as well when you churn it.
Mix the cream, milk, sugar, vanilla, and salt in a medium saucepan set over medium-low heat. Heat for 5 minutes, whisking frequently, until the sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture is heated throughout.
Next, refrigerate the ice cream mixture. Move it to a heat-resistant bowl, cover it, and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.
When you are prepared to create ice cream, churn the mixture in your ice cream maker following the guidelines provided by the manufacturer. Churn the ice cream mixture for 20 to 30 minutes.
Toppings and Alternatives
This vanilla ice cream is delightful on its own, but adding toppings is definitely a plus! Here are some topping suggestions to help you begin:
Experiment with a fruity option, such as strawberry compote, blueberry compote, or your preferred fresh fruit. Chopped bananas, blueberries, and cherries would all make excellent options.
Have fun. Drizzle over peanut butter or almond butter, or scatter on toasted almonds or peanuts. Grated coconut is a delicious topping as well!
Select chocolate. Chocolate chips are consistently an excellent choice, but crumbled chocolate chip cookies or brownie pieces elevate a sundae to the next level.
Maintain a timeless approach. You can’t go wrong with hot fudge, whipped cream, and/or salted caramel sauce.
Feeling like something other than plain vanilla? To create a distinct ice cream flavor, incorporate 2 to 2 1/2 cups of finely chopped mix-ins into the ice cream right after churning. Incorporating fresh strawberries creates a delightful strawberry ice cream, but other fresh fruits, mini chocolate chips, or crumbled cookies or brownies would also be excellent.
Storage
Utilize a spatula to move the soft ice cream from the ice cream maker into a quart-sized sealed container. If you prefer, place a layer of plastic wrap or foil over the ice cream to stop ice crystals from developing.
Freeze for a minimum of 2 hours and for as long as a month. The ice cream will be simple to scoop on the initial day, but afterward, you might have to allow it to rest at room temperature for a few minutes before scooping it. It becomes more solid after additional time in the freezer.
What to Serve with Homemade Ice Cream
We love this homemade vanilla ice cream on its own, but it’s also great alongside other summer desserts. Add a scoop to any of these recipes to take it over the top:
Homemade Cherry Pie
Apple Pie
Peach Crisp
Grilled Peaches
Easy Peach Cobbler
Strawberry Shortcake
Blueberry Cobbler
Rhubarb Crisp
To be completely transparent, there are certain passive aspects of this recipe that demand a bit of patience, but after you enjoy this homemade ice cream. We believe you’ll concur that every moment of waiting was worthwhile. It truly is the ultimate summer delight.
