How to Make Vanilla Ice Cream

Learn how to make homemade vanilla ice cream right in your own kitchen. Surprise your guests or your household with a classic dessert that rivals their favorites from the frozen aisle. Whether you’re making it to complement fresh baked goods, layering it with toppings or simply serving it on its own, made-from-scratch ice cream is made to impress. Keep reading to find out how to make vanilla ice cream at home.

Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe Tips

Craft your very own batch of velvety, homemade ice cream using this vanilla ice cream recipe. There are a number of different methods to making homemade ice cream but for most options, all it takes are a few simple ingredients and a bit of patience to put together an irresistible dessert that warrants that extra scoop or that you can use when making Hawaiian shave ice.

You can whip up the base using a stand mixer, a hand mixer or even blender, or you can make a traditional custard base on the cooktop and then transfer the mixture easily into an ice cream maker or the bowl of your stand mixer ice cream attachment to churn. The hardest part of the whole process might just be the waiting, but for passionate dessert lovers, it’s well worth the wait. Below you’ll find a list of ingredients you need to follow along with this easy recipe for Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream.
 

BEST PRODUCTS FOR MAKING ICE CREAM AT HOME

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 mixture is slightly thickened. Add vanilla and remove from heat.

STEP 2: COOL AND CHILL MIXTURE

Allow the cream mixture to cool completely (at least 1 hour). To prevent a “skin” from forming, cover the custard mixture with a layer of plastic wrap. Chill for 8 to 24 hours.

STEP 3: CHURN INTO ICE CREAM

Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker, or into a KitchenAid^® Ice Cream Maker attachment for a stand mixer, and process according to the manufacturer’s directions.

STEP 4: FREEZE

Freeze in an airtight container for several hours until it firms up and becomes scoop-able. Serve and enjoy!

Different Ways to Make Vanilla Ice Cream At Home

There are different ways to make homemade ice cream but generally, ice cream recipes feature ingredients such as milk, cream and eggs. Sugar and vanilla also chime in to add notes of sweetness and flavor. Follow the instructions below to learn more about how to make vanilla ice cream.

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 substitutes is to stick with ingredients that have a higher fat content. For more dairy-free desserts, use your stand mixer's shave ice attachment 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, does not use eggs but instead makes the cream the star of the show.

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, 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. If you don’t have a stand mixer, explore a collection of colorful KitchenAid^® stand mixers to find the right one for your needs.

Directions for How to Make Stand Mixer Ice Cream Using a KitchenAid^® Stand Mixer Attachment

Making stand mixer ice cream is so effortless, you’ll probably be asking yourself, why haven’t I made this sooner? Using the method outlined below, your stand mixer ice cream attachment will handle all the hard work of churning, which will give you some extra time to contemplate the different kinds of toppings or add-ins you may want to incorporate. The best vanilla ice cream recipes can definitely hold their own, but it can be fun to express your culinary flair with added flavors like a bourbon black cherry swirl, salted caramel, dark chocolate chunks or pair your vanilla ice cream with homemade brownies.

The KitchenAid^® Ice Cream Maker attachment features an innovative, double-walled freeze bowl that provides even freezing throughout the mixing process. A stand mixer ice cream attachment can easily replace the need for a separate ice cream maker appliance. Plus, it works in tandem with a multifunctional stand mixer that can be used for all sorts of kitchen projects. See the steps below on how to make ice cream using your stand mixer ice cream attachment.

• Allow your ice cream bowl to freeze at least 15–24 hours prior to use.
• 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 that are specific to your stand mixer model. For a tilt-head stand mixer, slide in side “A” onto your mixing arm. For a bowl-lift stand mixer, use the “B” side. Note that some models may need to employ the freeze bowl ring adaptor as well.
• Now add the dasher piece into the middle of your ice cream maker attachment bowl. This will act as a churning device. 
• 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.

• Start your mixer on the Slow setting before adding your ice cream mixture. Do not add your ice cream base until the dasher is in motion.
• Gently pour your prepared ice cream base into the bowl with the dasher already moving.

• Continue mixing and churning for 20–30 minutes for a soft serve ice cream consistency that can be served immediately.

• For a stiff scoop, place the ice cream in the freezer for another 3–4 hours. 

• For cleanup, let the bowl thaw first before using soap and water to hand wash at the sink and place accessories in the dishwasher.

Make the Best Vanilla Ice Cream in Your Kitchen

Now that you’ve learned a few tips and tricks on how to make vanilla ice cream, you can express your love of making with plenty of creative ice cream recipes. Whether you’re enjoying the refreshing taste of frozen treats in the summer or adding an extra special side to your autumn pies, homemade ice cream is a year-round favorite that you can easily whip up in a KitchenAid^® stand mixer. Avoid having to store another large kitchen appliance like an ice cream maker by utilizing your work-horse stand mixer to get the job done. If you become a regular ice cream maker, consider the added benefits of the KitchenAid^® Ice Cream Maker Attachment and shop for other useful attachments ranging from a Pasta Roller to a Food Grinder, a shave ice attachment for making bingsu and much more.