If you’ve always wanted to try homemade ice cream, but don’t own an ice cream maker (and aren’t quite ready to commit), this no-churn ice cream recipe is a great place to start.
With just a handful of ingredients, simple tools, and a few minutes of prep, you’ll have a rich, creamy dessert that’s every bit as satisfying as your favorite scoop shop. It’s the perfect recipe for summer gatherings, birthdays, holidays, or simply keeping a sweet treat in the freezer for when those undeniable cravings hit.
And the best part? You don’t need an ice cream machine to make it work.
You'll Love No-Churn Ice Cream
- Only 3 main ingredients
- Rich, creamy texture
- Easy enough for beginners
- Perfect base for endless mix-ins and flavors
- Ice cream maker not required
Whether you're making homemade ice cream for the first time or simply wanting an easy dessert, this recipe is practically foolproof.
Do You Need an Ice Cream Maker?
Not at all!
In fact, this recipe is specifically designed for anyone who doesn’t own an ice cream machine. The whipped cream creates a light texture. The sweetened condensed milk keeps the ice cream soft and scoopable. No need for churning!
That said, if you find yourself making homemade ice cream regularly, an ice cream maker would be a worthwhile investment. Churning incorporates air more evenly, creates a creamier texture, and allows you to experiment with more traditional custard-based recipes, fruit sorbets, frozen yogurt, gelato, and countless custom flavors. So much fun!
So think of this recipe as your introduction to homemade ice cream. If you fall in love with making your own frozen desserts, an ice cream machine is a fun upgrade down the road—but it’s absolutely not a requirement to enjoy incredible homemade ice cream today.
Equipment Needed
Ok, so you don’t need an ice cream maker. But what do you need? This quick and easy recipe requires only a handful of simple tools. First, a reliable hand mixer or stand mixer for the whipping cream. A couple of mixing bowls. A loaf pan or ice cream tub. And a silicone spatula. That’s it! You have all that at home, right? Then let's get started!
Ingredients
- 1 pint (2 cups) heavy whipping cream, cold
- 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk (fat-free is fine to use)
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- Optional: ½ to 1 cup of add-ins, such as crushed cookie pieces, fruit, etc.
Optional Mix-Ins
- Mini chocolate chips
- Mini marshmallows
- Crushed cookies
- Brownie pieces
- Fresh berries
- Caramel sauce
- Peanut butter swirls
- Chopped candy bars
- Toasted nuts
- Rainbow sprinkles
Instructions
1. Use a stand mixer or hand mixer to beat the cold heavy whipping cream until stiff peaks form.
2. In a separate mixing bowl, stir together the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract.
3. Gently fold the whipped cream into the condensed milk mixture with a silicone spatula until no streaks remain. Be careful not to overmix—you want to keep as much air in the mixture as possible.
4. If using cookies, chocolate, fruit, or candies, gently fold them in now.
5. Transfer the mixture to a loaf pan or freezer-safe container. Smooth the top, sprinkle more mix-ins if you like, then cover tightly with plastic wrap or a lid, and freeze for at least 6 hours or overnight.
6. Once the ice cream is frozen solid, let it sit at room temperature for about five minutes before scooping and serving.
Tips for the Creamiest Ice Cream
- Use very, very cold heavy cream
- Don’t overwhip the cream—it should hold stiff peaks but still look smooth
- Fold gently to keep the mixture as light as airy as possible
- Freeze fully overnight for the best texture
- Store in an airtight container to prevent freezer burn
If You Love Homemade Ice Cream…
This no-churn recipe proves that amazing homemade ice cream doesn’t require special equipment. It’s an easy, approachable way to enjoy fresh, creamy ice cream anytime. And kids can easily make it too!
But, if you discover that homemade ice cream becomes a regular tradition in your kitchen, an ice cream maker is a wonderful next step. It gives you even more control over texture, lets you make classic churned recipes, and makes experimenting with new flavors even more fun.
Until then, this no-churn option is everything you need to enjoy homemade ice cream with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.
Happy scooping!
