Easy Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe | Walking on Sunshine (2024)

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There's nothing quite like homemade vanilla ice cream. Rich, creamy and delicious, it's an easy dessert and treat that's worth the time and effort.

And with just five ingredients - milk, cream, sugar, vanilla and salt - it's easy to make at home.

The key to success is to use good-quality ingredients and to let the mixture churn for long enough to reach the perfect consistency.

Easy Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe | Walking on Sunshine (1)

I have never made homemade ice cream before receiving this ice cream maker. My husband and I did this recipe together and it was so easy...and delicious!

You might be tempted to make ice cream sandwiches using my recipe for Jumbo Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies.

You definitely need to put a scoop of ice cream on top of Homemade Apple Pie, Peach Cobbler or my very favorite Apple Dump Cake.

Table of Contents
  • Hamilton Beach Ice Cream Maker Recipes
  • 4 Quart Ice Cream Maker Recipes
  • Helpful Kitchen Tools
  • Main Ingredients Needed:
  • Step-by-Step Directions
  • Add the Mixture to the Ice Cream Maker
  • Chilling Homemade Ice Cream
  • Storage Tips
  • Favorite Ice Cream Toppings
  • Before You Begin!
  • How long does homemade ice cream take?
  • What can I use instead of rock salt for making ice cream?
  • More Recipes to Love
  • 📖 Recipe Card
  • 💬 Comments

Hamilton Beach Ice Cream Maker Recipes

This post was originally sponsored by Hamilton Beach, it has since been updated and all opinions, as always are my own.

To show you how easy it is to make homemade ice cream, I'm using the recipe that comes with the Hamilton Beach Ice Cream Maker.

4 Quart Ice Cream Maker Recipes

I thought for my very first homemade ice cream recipe, I should follow one of the 4 quart ice cream maker recipes included in the box. There are quite a few recipes included in the booklet that comes with the machine. I chose to make the homemade vanilla recipe today.

If you're looking for a different flavor of homemade ice cream, try this fun recipe for Easy Kool Aid Ice Cream. The color alone is great! Or this delicious Marshmallow Ice Cream.

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Main Ingredients Needed:

This is an overview of the ingredients and instructions. Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact quantities, detailed instructions and special notes.

  • Granulated Sugar
  • Whole Milk
  • Heavy Whipping Cream
  • Vanilla Extract
  • Lemon Juice
  • 8 lbs ice
  • 3 cups rock salt

Step-by-Step Directions

Easy Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe | Walking on Sunshine (6)

Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, add the sugar, milk, cream, vanilla extract, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Whisk the ingredients together until well mixed.

Add the Mixture to the Ice Cream Maker

Easy Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe | Walking on Sunshine (7)

Step 2: Carefully pour the mixture into the ice cream canister. Insert the dasher and secure the lid tightly.

Easy Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe | Walking on Sunshine (8)

Step 3: Now, follow the instructions in your machine's manual to add the ice and rock salt. Start the churning process and let it work its magic!

Easy Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe | Walking on Sunshine (9)

Step 4: After about 40 minutes, you'll notice the machine starting to slow down, signaling your delicious ice cream is almost ready.

Chilling Homemade Ice Cream

Step 5: Look how delicious! Now comes the hard part...waiting.Put the ice cream into a freezer safe container and freeze for about one to two hours before serving.

Storage Tips

Now that you've made the ice cream, let's talk a few different ways to store homemade ice cream:

  • Freezer-safe plastic container.
  • Specially made ice cream containers.
  • Loaf pans - yes a standard 9×5-inch loaf pan you use bake bread in works great! Cover first with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil.
Easy Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe | Walking on Sunshine (11)

Easy Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe | Walking on Sunshine (12)More InformationEasy Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe | Walking on Sunshine (13)More InformationEasy Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe | Walking on Sunshine (14)More InformationEasy Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe | Walking on Sunshine (15)More Information

Favorite Ice Cream Toppings

Of course the ice cream is delicious just as it is, but it's always fun to add your favorite toppings.

Drizzle on rich chocolate sauce or fudge, or add a dollop of Homemade Strawberry Sauce for fruity sweetness. Sprinkle over chopped walnuts or pecans for a satisfying crunch. For a burst of fun, add colorful sprinkles. Finish it off with a cloud of Homemade whipped cream for a truly indulgent treat.

Before You Begin!

If you make this recipe, pleaseleave a review and star rating. This helps my business thrive and continue providing FREE recipes.

Easy Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe | Walking on Sunshine (16)

How long does homemade ice cream take?

Making ice cream at home is not a quick process. But it is truly worth the time it takes to make this delicious recipe.

What can I use instead of rock salt for making ice cream?

I've only made this recipe using rock salt, but you can use Kosher salt. From the research I've done online, it seems that using regular table salt could give the ice cream a bitter taste. Rock salt is not hard to find or purchase. I ordered mine from Amazon. It was delivered in just a day!

More Recipes to Love

The only thing missing from this dessert is a cookie or two! Here are a few yummy recipes that you might enjoy.

  • Chocolate Sugar Cookies - oh my word...how about putting a scoop of this homemade vanilla ice cream between two chocolate sugar cookies? That sounds yummy, right?
  • Or try this recipe for to make an ice cream sandwich.
  • Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies would taste great with homemade vanilla ice cream spread between the two yummy layers.
  • Summer Blueberry Recipes Bursting with Sweetness
  • Lemon Crescent Rolls - A Burst of Sunshine in Every Bite
  • 4th of July Strawberry Shortcake
  • Flower Shaped Dessert with Lemon Pie Filling

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Easy Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe | Walking on Sunshine (21)

Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

Easy Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe - smooth, creamy and so delicious! You'll love how easy this recipe is to make and keep cool on a hot summer day!

4.43 from 61 votes

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Course: Desserts

Cuisine: American

Keyword: homemade ice cream, Ice Cream, ice cream maker, vanilla ice cream

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes

Chill Time: 2 hours hours

Total Time: 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 639kcal

Author: Lois

Ingredients

Ingredients for the Ice Cream Base

  • 3 cups granulated sugar
  • 3 cups whole milk
  • 6 cups whipping cream
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoon lemon juice

Ingredients 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

This recipe should yield around 8 to 12 servings.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 639kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 45g | Saturated Fat: 29g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 141mg | Sodium: 28356mg | Sugar: 57g

Nutritional estimates are provided using an online calculator and is an estimate per serving. Calorie accuracy isn't guaranteed.

Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and star rating!

This recipe has been updated since it first appeared in 2018 with new photos, information and a new printable recipe card that includes nutritional information. I hope you enjoy the updates as much as I enjoyed working on them!

Easy Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe | Walking on Sunshine (22)
Easy Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe | Walking on Sunshine (2024)

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