Our easy homemade ice cream recipe is a nod to old fashion ice cream and one that is easily adapted to fit everyone's tastes by adding fun mix-ins and toppings!
This post has been sponsored by Hamilton Beach, however, all opinions, as always are my own. #ad #HamiltonBeach #HBIceCreamMaker #Giveaway #NationalIceCreamMonth
When I was a little girl, my Dad would sometimes make ice cream for us in an old fashion style ice cream maker. It was wooden with a motor (not hand cranked), and incredibly loud. The result was always the most amazing ice cream I'd ever tasted. The Hamilton Beach 4-quart Automatic Ice Cream Maker is a little bit of that nostalgia updated for the 21st-century. It's still pretty loud, but this really is easy homemade ice cream that you'll want to make again and again! This recipe has just 5 easy ingredients for a classic creamy vanilla ice cream.
When I was a little girl, my Dad would sometimes make ice cream for us in an old fashion style ice cream maker. It was wooden with a motor (not hand cranked), and incredibly loud. The result was always the most amazing ice cream I'd ever tasted.
The Hamilton Beach 4-quart Automatic Ice Cream Maker is a little bit of that nostalgia updated for the 21st-century. It's still pretty loud, but this really is easy homemade ice cream that you'll want to make again and again! This recipe has just 5 easy ingredients for a classic creamy vanilla ice cream.
Easy Homemade Ice Cream Shopping List:
- Whole Milk
- Whipping Cream
- Vanilla Extract
- Lemon
- Sugar
How to Make Homemade Ice Cream
This is meant to be a brief overview of the recipe. For step-by-step instructions and a full printable recipe card with ingredients, please scroll down to the teal box below or Jump to Recipe.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar, milk, cream, vanilla extract and lemon juice.
- Pour the mixture into the ice cream machine canister, insert the dasher, and secure the lid tightly.
- Place the canister into the center of the bucket. Assemble the motor over the canister with the dasher shaft inserted into the hole in the bottom of the motor.
- Turn the motor counter clockwise to lock the motor onto the bucket. Place the bucket into the sink.
- Plug in the power cord. Allow the mixture to churn for a couple minutes before adding ice to the bucket.
- Unplug the motor. Add about 2 inches of ice to the bottom of the bucket and sprinkle on about a ½ cup of the rock salt. Repeat the layers until the bucket is completely full.
- Plug the motor back in and allow the ice cream to churn for 20-40 minutes, or until the machine slows or stops on it's own. Keep an eye on it and add more ice as needed.
- Remove the canister. If you wish to mix in items such as fresh berries, chocolate, nuts, etc, do so now with a long-handled rubber spatula.
- Replace the lid, insert the storage plug, and put the canister into the freezer for 1-2 hours before serving.
Toppings and Mix-in Ideas
My Dad always topped his ice cream with pure maple syrup, which is pretty delicious. Here are some other ideas for Toppings and Mix-ins to make this easy homemade ice cream even tastier!
- M&M Candies or Mini Chocolate Chips
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge
- Fresh Strawberries, Raspberries or Blueberries
- Crushed Cookie Sandwiches
- Homemade Peanut Butter Topping
- Chopped Candy Bars
- Peanut Butter Caramel Sauce (this this dip out with a little heavy cream for a yummy sauce)
More Delicious Recipes
- Homemade Ice Pops
- Strawberry Pina Colada Smoothie
- Black Cherry Ice Cream
- No Churn Ice Cream
- Red Velvet Ice Cream with Cream Cheese Swirl
- Ice Cream Sandwiches
- Cotton Candy Flavored Ice Cream
Easy Homemade Ice Cream
On hot summer days, no one wants to be slaving away in a hot kitchen. The weather demands easy homemade ice cream, and this recipe delivers!
Easy Homemade Ice Cream
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Ingredients
For the Ice Cream Base
- 3 cups granulated sugar
- 3 cups whole milk
- 6 cups whipping cream
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
For the Ice Cream Maker
- 8 lbs ice
- 3 cups rock salt
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar, milk, cream, vanilla extract and lemon juice. Whisk until mixed through.
- Pour the mixture into the canister, insert the dasher, and secure the lid tightly.
- Place the canister into the center of the bucket. Assemble the motor over the canister with the dasher shaft inserted into the hole in the bottom of the motor.
- Turn the motor counter clockwise to lock the motor onto the bucket. Place the bucket into the sink.
- Plug in the power cord. Allow the mixture to churn for a couple minutes before adding ice to the bucket.
- Unplug the motor. Add about 2 inches of ice to the bottom of the bucket and sprinkle on about a ½ cup of the rock salt. Repeat the layers until the bucket is completely full.
- Plug the motor back in and allow the ice cream to churn for 20-40 minutes, or until the machine slows or stops on it's own. Keep an eye on it and add more ice as needed.
- Remove the canister. If you wish to mix in items such as fresh berries, chocolate, nuts, etc, do so now with a long-handled rubber spatula.
- Replace the lid, insert the storage plug, and put the canister into the freezer for 1-2 hours before serving.
Notes
- Chocolate Chips
- Fresh Strawberries, Raspberries or Blueberries
- Crushed Cookie Sandwiches
- Sprinkles or "Jimmies"
- Chopped Candy Bar Pieces
- Mint Chocolate Chips
- Walnuts, Pecans, or Other Nuts
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Dana Rodriguez says
I would make some ice cream with fresh peaches!
Elaine C. says
I would make chocolate ice cream with chocolate covered espresso beans in it.
lj says
My grandfather would make us the best homemade ice cream! What memories! Thanks for opportunity!
ColleenB.~Texas says
Chocolate chip mint ice cream.
Thank you for this giveaway opportunity
Barbara Ryan says
I would first make lemon shorbet, which would be refreshing on this hot day.
Amy C. says
I would love to try a Java Chip ice cream! Thanks for the giveaway!
Audrey Stewart says
I would make strawberry ice cream.
Ginny says
First, I would make vanilla. Next batch, I would add in whatever fruit is in season! Thanks for this great giveaway opportunity!
Nancy says
If I won, I'd make chocolate peanut butter ice cream with mini peanut butter cups.
Terri S says
I would make chocolate ice cream. My favorite!!!
Anita Duvall says
I want to make old fashioned Orange Crush Ice Cream first. It's been years!
Amy Smith says
Fresh Berries and Vanilla Custard
Sherri says
Butter Pecan
Black Cherry
Chocolate
Moose Tracks
Vanilla with Caramel sauce
Peach
Lemon
Sherri says
I made the vanilla recipe listed here and it is wonderful. Very creamy and rich. I was dubious about the lemon juice but it was the best vanilla recipe I have tried. Thank you Ang!
Mary says
Endless possibilities! I’m ready to give making ice cream a whirl!
Daniela says
Ice cream!
Linda Warner says
Gotta add some fresh local strawberries. Go so well in sweet soft creamy ice cream. Dang. Now I'm hungry... 🙂
Stacie Skinner-Hoxsie says
I'd make peach ice cream for a Pinterest party!
Crystal Walker says
I would make some homemade peach ice cream, thats my husbands favorite ice cream them I would make chocolate for me
Gabrielle says
I would try my hand at lavender ice cream!
MaryB says
Raspberry ice cream and vanilla.
Cheryl Chervitz says
I would make vanilla ice cream with strawberries in it. So good.
Danielle says
We would definitely be making peach ice cream!!
We have peach trees & they are going to be coming in very soon!
There isn't an ice cream we've met that we haven't liked yet!!
Tiffany Schmidt says
We'd either start with a strawberry or peach, something fresh!
Vickie says
Awesome, summer perfect giveaway!
Thanks so much and excited.
To me summer fun and memories of my grandma churning vanilla ice cream! The best for summer.
Later I would make my banana split cake. But, gotta start with vanilla. I hope! With real vanilla bean.
LOVE LOVE those bright cheerful bowls too.
Ina Fowler says
Butterscotch Vanilla Pecan Swirl For These Are My Faves.
Sandra L McFadden says
Because I live low carb I would make a frozen greek yogurt with strawberries or blackberries.......
louellen m says
If I won, I would make peanut butter cup ice cream.
elizabeth miller says
My daughter has been begging for one of these. We would make her favorite peach ice cream first and then I am sure banana pudding pie ice cream next,.
Alina says
Would love to try to make fresh strawberry ice cream. Sounds YUMMY!
Stafford says
Seeing as cherries are in season, I would love to try cherry ice chocolate ice cream.
Brix says
I would make my favorite ice cream flavor which is mint chocolate chip.
Sean C says
Vanilla with a hint of toffee and caramel sounds delicious to me. I'd try that first.
Melissa says
I'd make a cherry vanilla frozen yogurt!
Gail Beam says
Turtle Pecan or cherry pecan my two favorites
Susan Burge says
I'd probably start with vanilla ice cream and then try some peach, maybe some blueberry (if I can get any before the birds eat all of mine!) swirl.
sandra says
i would like to attempt butter pecan ice cream
Robin Creager says
I'd make my favorite flavor ice cream, Mint 'N Chip! Of course, I'd have to experiment with different flavors and toppings. So many different combinations out there!!
shelly peterson says
I would make chocolate and peanut butter ice cream.
Katie Bellamy says
I'd make some Mint Chocolate Chip!
haleigh says
I would make strawberry icecream!
TAMARA EARNHART says
I would make Tutti-Fruity Sorbet for starters.
Christy Peeples DuBois says
I remember when I was small by mamas parents came often. They lived about 25 miles from us and granddaddy was in charge of the ice cream maker once the mix was inside. Then he used the crank kind and vanilla was usually what was made. My mamas sister and her husband visited from Kansas as often as they could and they always had to have a flavored ice cream, like peach, strawberry, etc.
when I graduated college and got married my husbands family loved home made ice cream but never attempted it. So I made it when we got together during warm months. I had the automatic kind and it wasn't difficult. But I remember putting eggs in mine and yours didn't have eggs. I like most ant kind but vanilla or caramel or a chocolate/coffee flavor are my favorites thanks so much.
Ang Paris says
Thank you for sharing your memories with me! This is a simplified recipe, but the booklet that comes with the machine does offer a custard base recipe that includes eggs. This mixture is cooked on the stovetop and chilled overnight, which I didn't want to bother with this time around.
Wanda Horst says
definitely chocolate ice cream:)
kesha says
I would make fresh peach ice cream and a chunky Reese's cup and brownie ice cream
Debbie says
I would try every kind of ice cream recipe I could find. I love all ice cream! Thank you for the giveaway opportunity.
Natalie says
I would love to make vanilla ice cream with cherries in it!
Lesley F says
Strawberry ice cream with fresh strawberries! Yum
Ashley Mains says
I would make some Neapolitan! <3
heather says
I would make ice cream for a banana split if I won.
Michelle Spencer says
Death by Chocolate Vegan ice cream!
Tina Truex says
I would make traditional vanilla. Let everyone add their special toppings!
Nicola says
I would try to make some vegan ice cream flavors (they're so hard to find & very expensive in stores) chocolate chip, coconut crunch, peach...
Leslie says
I want to make vanilla ice cream. Thank you for doing the giveaway.
Marilyn Nawara says
I would make delicious chocolate peanut butter ice cream.
Germaine Harrison says
Banana splits would be nice.
Terri Quick says
I'd make coconut pineapple ice cream 🙂
Julie says
I'd make simple vanilla ice cream!
Cassandra D says
Strawberry ice cream with a lemon zest to it.
Sara says
I would make chocolate chip ice cream!
Cathleen King says
I would make strawberry ice cream.
Leela says
I'd make strawberry ice cream.
Nicole Lancaster says
I would make fresh Strawberry and Peach Ice Cream.
Linda Kish says
I would try strawberry first.
Sarah Phillips says
If I won I'd make homemade peanut butter icecream! YUMMO!
Jen Rodrigues says
I would make a banana split ice cream. I would love it.