Introduction
There’s nothing more satisfying than digging into a bowl of homemade ice cream that’s silky, creamy, and made with just a few simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. This easy ice cream recipe is my go-to when I’m craving a frozen treat but don’t feel like making a complicated custard base or using fancy equipment. With just 4 ingredients, you can create a rich, flavorful dessert that tastes like it came straight from an ice cream shop.

When I first started making ice cream at home, I thought it required a special machine or hours of churning. But this recipe proves you don’t need either. It’s quick, straightforward, and produces a texture so creamy that my friends often can’t believe it’s homemade. Plus, it yields enough to keep the freezer stocked for days—though in my house, it rarely lasts that long!

If you’ve ever wanted to make ice cream without the fuss, this recipe is your ticket. Let’s get into the ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and some tips to customize it to your liking.

Easy Ice Cream Recipe Ingredients
To make this easy, creamy ice cream, you only need four simple ingredients:

2 cups heavy whipping cream – This is the secret to a rich and creamy texture. Make sure it’s cold for the best results.

1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk – Provides sweetness and helps create that smooth, scoopable consistency.

1 teaspoon vanilla extract – For flavor depth. You can also swap this for other extracts like almond, coconut, or peppermint.

Food coloring or fruit puree (optional) – For fun colors and added flavor. Strawberry puree, mango puree, or cocoa powder work wonderfully.Best restaurants near me

Directions
Step 1: Prepare the mixing bowl
Place your mixing bowl and beaters in the freezer for about 10 minutes before starting. This keeps everything cold, which helps the cream whip better.

Step 2: Whip the cream
In the chilled bowl, pour in the heavy whipping cream. Using an electric mixer, beat on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. This usually takes 3–4 minutes. Be careful not to overwhip, or the cream will turn into butter.

Step 3: Fold in the sweetened condensed milk
Gently pour the sweetened condensed milk into the whipped cream. Use a spatula to fold the two together until fully combined. Folding instead of mixing keeps the air in the whipped cream, giving your ice cream that fluffy, creamy texture.

Step 4: Add flavoring
Stir in the vanilla extract. If you want to make multiple flavors, divide the mixture into separate bowls. Add fruit puree, cocoa powder, or food coloring to each portion and gently mix.Best restaurants near me

Step 5: Transfer to containers
Pour the mixture into airtight freezer-safe containers. Smooth out the tops with a spatula. If you’re making more than one flavor, store each in a separate container.