With its rich, smooth texture and authentic vanilla flavor, this Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream recipe is perfect for birthday parties, hot days or anytime you crave a sweet treat. Best of all, this egg free ice cream can be made without an ice cream machine!
Making homemade ice cream is a summertime tradition in my house, and this easy homemade vanilla ice cream recipe has become a family favorite. No ice cream maker is required, which makes it perfect for a fun and spontaneous treat.
No egg yolks are required for this ice cream and it is a no cook recipe which makes it super easy to make. But this ice cream is still incredibly creamy and smooth, with a rich vanilla flavor that really hits the spot on a hot day. We love how versatile this homemade ice cream recipe is too. Sometimes we add mix-ins like chocolate chips, crushed cookies, or swirls of caramel to make each batch unique and extra special.
Nothing beats the satisfaction of enjoying a delicious bowl of homemade ice cream that we made ourselves. If you're looking for a delightful and easy dessert this summer, try this homemade vanilla ice cream!
If you like this recipe, also try my Blueberry Frozen Yogurt Recipe.
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Basic Ingredients Needed
- Heavy Whipping Cream – This is the base of our eggless vanilla ice cream recipe, providing the creamy, rich texture we all love. Because the cream needs to be whipped, do not substitute with whole milk or plant based milk.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk – Condensed milk adds sweetness and smoothness to the ice cream and helps to keep the ice cream soft and scoopable, even after freezing.
- Vanilla Extract – This provides the classic vanilla flavor. It's essential for giving the ice cream its delicious, fragrant aroma.
- Vanilla Beans or Vanilla Bean Paste – This is optional but using vanilla beans or paste adds an extra layer of rich, authentic vanilla flavor. The tiny black specks of vanilla bean also add a lovely visual element to the ice cream. Vanilla bean paste can be bought in a small jar at your grocery store or Walmart, on Amazon or at Michaels (craft store).
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Egg Free Vanilla Ice Cream
- Step 1: Add heavy cream to a large mixing bowl and beat on high for 3 to 5 minutes or until fluffy. Make sure to not overmix.
- Step 2: Add the condensed milk and vanilla extract. Fold in until no streaks remains. If using vanilla beans, slice them and scrape out the vanilla pod then add them to the bowl. Gently mix in.
- Step 3: Place ice cream mixture into bread pan. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze for 6-8 hours.
- Step 4: Remove from freezer and scoop in individual bowls before serving.
Hint: Fold your favorite mix-ins into the creamy mixture before freezing. You can also scoop and top with your favorite toppings.
Recipe Variations
- Chocolate Chip – Fold in 1 cup of mini chocolate chips before freezing for a classic chocolate chip ice cream.
- Strawberry Swirl Ice Cream – Swirl 1 cup of strawberry sauce or jam into the ice cream base before freezing for a fruity twist.
- Cookies and Cream Ice Cream – Add 1 cup of crushed Oreo cookies to the mixture for a everyone's favorite cookies and cream flavor.
- Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream – Add 1 teaspoon of mint extract and 1 cup of chocolate chips to the vanilla base.
- Peanut Butter Swirl Ice Cream – Swirl in 1 cup of melted peanut butter.
- Caramel Swirl Ice Cream – Swirl in 1 cup of caramel sauce.
- Mocha Ice Cream – Dissolve 2 tablespoons of instant coffee granules in 1 tablespoon of hot water and stir in along with 1 cup of chocolate chips for a delicious coffee-chocolate combo.
Equipment
One of the best parts about this homemade vanilla ice cream recipe is that you don't need an ice cream maker. Instead, you pour the prepared ice cream mixture into a bread pan. You can use either a glass or metal loaf pan, but we recommend lining it with foil to protect the surface and make it easier to remove the ice cream once it's frozen. This method is a simple and hassle-free way to enjoy delicious, creamy ice cream without any special equipment.
Storage
To store leftover egg free ice cream, transfer it from the bread pan to a sealable container. An airtight container will keep it fresh and helps to prevent freezer burn as well as any large ice crystals from forming. If you used foil to line the bread pan, you can lift the ice cream out and cut it into manageable pieces before placing it in the container. For the best texture and flavor, enjoy your homemade ice cream within 1-2 weeks.
Top Tips
- Make sure your heavy cream and sweetened condensed milk are cold before you start. This helps the cream whip up more easily and results in a creamier ice cream.
- Beat the heavy cream until it forms soft peaks. Overwhipping can affect the texture of the ice cream.
- When adding the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla, fold the mixture gently to keep the ice cream fluffy and light.
- Use pure vanilla extract or real vanilla beans/vanilla bean paste. The quality of your vanilla makes a big difference in the taste of the ice cream.
- Line your bread pan with foil before pouring in the ice cream mixture. This makes it easier to lift out the ice cream for serving and protects your pan.
- If you’re adding mix-ins like chocolate chips, cookies, or fruit, gently fold them in just before pouring the mixture into the pan. This prevents them from sinking to the bottom.
- Allow the ice cream to freeze for at least 6-8 hours, or overnight if possible, to ensure it’s fully set and scoopable. Waiting is the hardest part of this recipe!
- If you like a more soft serve consistency, let the ice cream sit at room temperperature for a few minutes before serving
Serving Suggestions and Topping Ideas
Some people find vanilla ice cream boring but I think it's the perfect canvas for making an individualized sweet treat. You can easily top homemade vanilla ice cream with toppings like strawberry sauce, fresh fruit, sprinkles, hot fudge sauce, caramel and more. Or you can put it between cookies to make a homemade chipwich. Vanilla ice cream is also the perfect balancing treat to serve on the side with other sweets like:
- Air Fryer Pears with Caramel and Cinnamon
- Peach Cobbler Egg Rolls
- Hershey's Chocolate Bar Sheet Cake Recipe
- Easy Rustic Cinnamon Apple Tart Recipe
- Mixed Berry Cobbler
FAQ
Because the cream must be whipped, it is not possible to use regular milk or plant based milk as a substitute. Dairy-free ice cream would not have a creamy texture like this great recipe does.
While vanilla beans or paste add extra flavor and visual appeal, you can still make delicious ice cream using just vanilla extract.
No stirring is necessary with this no-churn recipe. Simply pour the mixture into a pan and freeze it until solid.
If you like this egg free ice cream recipe, please leave a 5-star rating.
RECIPE
Easy Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream (Egg-Free)
Equipment
- 1 hand or stand mixer
- 1 loaf pan
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 vanilla beans or vanilla bean paste OPTIONAL
Instructions
- Add heavy cream to a large mixing bowl and beat on high for 3 to 5 minutes or until fluffy. Make sure to not overmix.
- Add the condensed milk and vanilla extract. Fold in until no streaks remains. If using vanilla beans, slice them and scrape out the beans then add them to the bowl. Gently mix in.
- Place mixture into bread pan lined with foil. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze for 6-8 hours.
- Remove from freezer and scoop in individual bowls before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
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