How to make vanilla ice cream in a stand mixer

Can you make vanilla ice cream with a stand mixer?

Yes. There are several ways you can learn how to make vanilla ice cream at home with a stand mixer. The easiest may be using the KitchenAid® Ice Cream Maker Attachment ^[1], which is specially designed for this task. You can also use a stand mixer alone to mix and aerate your ice cream mixture and then freeze it for 6-8 hours.

A stand mixer is an easy solution for an ice cream as smooth and decadent as the one at your local creamery. If you’re using a stand mixer without the ice cream maker attachment, all you have to do is whip together the cream until stiff peaks form, then add in all your other ingredients and pour the mixture into a freezer safe container and freeze overnight.

Get even more recipe ideas from our list of KitchenAid® Mixer Uses.

^{[1] Attachment sold separately}

Can I make ice cream without cream?

You can switch up your vanilla ice cream maker recipe by skipping the cream completely. Evaporated milk and condensed milk are pantry staples that can be substituted for cream. Coconut milk can also be used to create a dairy-free vanilla ice cream. A good tip for employing cream substitutes is to stick with ingredients that have a higher fat content. A dairy-free alternative to consider is sorbet, and for more dairy-free dessert options, use your stand mixer՚s shave ice attachment (sold separately) to make Italian ice, snow cones and more.

Do you need eggs to make ice cream?

While eggs help with stabilizing ice cream to make it creamy, you can still achieve a delicious result without them. Thickeners like cornstarch or a few tablespoons of cream cheese can be substituted to add body. Philly-style ice cream, also known as American-style, omits eggs and makes cream the star of the show.

Stand mixer vanilla ice cream recipe

Expand your culinary skills with a cold and creamy staple. This homemade vanilla ice cream recipe guide will help you learn to use your stand mixer attachment to whip up homemade ice cream any day of the week.

Ingredients

• Heavy cream

• Whole milk

• Pure maple syrup

• Vanilla bean

• Egg yolks

• Pure vanilla extract

Tools

• KitchenAid® Pro Line® Series 7 Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer

• KitchenAid^® Ice Cream Maker Attachment

• Saucepan

• Whisk

• Plastic wrap

• Air-tight container

Yields

• About 10 servings (roughly 1 scoop each)

Prep time

• 15-24 hours

Total time

• About 30 hours

Vanilla ice cream instructions

Step 1: Make the custard base

Place whipping cream, milk, egg yolks and sugar in a large saucepan. Whisk constantly over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the mixture is slightly thickened. Add vanilla and remove from heat. To prevent a “skin” from forming, cover the custard mixture with a layer of plastic wrap.

Step 2: Cool and chill mixture

Allow the cream mixture to cool completely (at least 1 hour) at room temperature. Then place the mixture in the refrigerator to chill for 8 to 24 hours.

Step 3: Churn into ice cream

Add the KitchenAid® Ice Cream Maker Attachment to your stand mixer[1]. Start your mixer on the Stir setting before adding your ice cream mixture to the frozen bowl. Do not add your ice cream base until the dasher is in motion. Continue mixing and churning for 20–30 minutes for a soft serve ice cream consistency that can be served immediately.

[1] Attachment sold separately

Step 4: Freeze

For a stiff scoop, place the ice cream in an airtight container in the freezer for another 3–4 hours. For cleanup, let the bowl completely thaw at room temperature, then hand wash with mild dish soap and warm water. The accessories can be washed in the dishwasher if desired.

How to set up your stand mixer

Step 1: Prep your bowl

Allow your ice cream bowl to freeze at least 15–24 hours prior to use.

Step 2: Assemble your stand mixer

Set up your stand mixer by first outfitting it with the spring-loaded assembly drive piece. The assembly drive piece has two “A” and “B” markations specific to your stand mixer model. For a KitchenAid^® tilt-head stand mixer, slide in side “A” onto your mixing arm. For a KitchenAid® bowl-lift stand mixer, use the “B” side. Note that some models may also need to employ the freeze bowl ring adaptor.

Step 3: Add attachment

Now add the dasher piece into the middle of your ice cream maker attachment bowl. This will act as a churning device.

Step 4: Lock in your bowl

Add the bowl to the mixer. For a bowl-lift model, the bowl will click into place on the arms of the appliance and be raised to meet the mixing arm. For a tilt-head stand mixer, simply tilt the head up and insert the bowl by gently turning and locking in the base to the bottom of the mixer. Tilt the head back down to meet the bowl.