Silky No-Churn Ice Cream Recipe: A Sweet Summer Dream

Sweet summer days call for a delightful no-churn ice cream that breaks all the traditional churning rules with ease.

This creamy, dreamy dessert comes together in minutes without an expensive ice cream maker.

You’ll love how simple ingredients magically become a luxurious frozen treat that rivals any store-bought version.

The secret to this no-churn ice cream lies in whipping cream to soft peaks and folding in sweetened condensed milk.

Rich, velvety, and impossibly smooth, this dessert requires just a handful of pantry staples and minimal effort.

The best part?

You can customize the flavors with endless mix-ins like chocolate chips, fruit, or nuts.

Get ready to indulge in a scoop of pure, homemade bliss that will become your go-to summer dessert.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes

Calories: 409 kcal

Servings: 5

No-Churn Ice Cream: Ingredient List

• Heavy Cream: Rich and velvety base that creates the luxurious texture, choose high-fat content cream for maximum fluffiness and smooth consistency.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Provides creamy sweetness and helps prevent ice crystals, select a quality brand for best results.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic depth to the dessert, opt for pure vanilla for authentic flavor complexity.

• Chocolate Chips: Introduces delightful chocolatey crunch, select high-quality dark or milk chocolate for intense flavor.
• Chopped Cookies: Brings delicious textural contrast, choose crisp cookies that won't become soggy when mixed.
• Fresh Fruit: Delivers bright, refreshing bursts of natural sweetness, select ripe, firm fruits that won't water down the mixture.

Kitchen Tools for Freezing Without an Ice Cream Maker

• Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer: Essential for whipping heavy cream to perfect stiff peaks with consistent, smooth results.
• Large Mixing Bowls: Two bowls needed – one for whipping cream, another for combining condensed milk and other ingredients.
• Spatula: Crucial for gently folding whipped cream into condensed milk without deflating the mixture.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending vanilla extract into sweetened condensed milk smoothly.
• Freezer-Safe Container: Ideal for storing and freezing the no-churn ice cream with a tight-fitting lid.
• Measuring Cups/Spoons: Helpful for accurate ingredient measurements.

Steps to Make No-Churn Ice Cream Easily

• Cream Preparation

Grab a spacious mixing bowl and unleash your inner chef. Whip the cream with enthusiasm until it transforms into fluffy clouds that hold their shape when you lift the beaters. The secret is finding that perfect moment of peaks without going overboard.

• Flavor Foundation

In a separate bowl, welcome vanilla extract into the sweet condensed milk world. Think of folding as a delicate dance – gently combine the whipped cream into the milk mixture, preserving all that beautiful airiness you’ve created.

• Flavor Adventure

This is where creativity kicks in! Want to jazz up your dessert? Sprinkle in crushed cookies, chocolate chunks, or fresh berries. Fold these treasures into your creamy base with a light touch, ensuring every scoop will be a surprise.

• Freezing Magic

Transfer your dreamy concoction into a container that can brave the freezer. Seal it tight – no air allowed! Tuck it away for 4-6 hours and let the cold transform your mixture into a luscious, creamy treat that’ll make taste buds dance with joy.

Sweet Mix-Ins and Swirl Variations

• Experiment with different extracts like almond, peppermint, or coconut to transform the base flavor instantly. A few drops can completely change the ice cream's personality.
• Layer in crushed candy bars, toasted nuts, or swirled fruit preserves for unexpected texture and burst of flavor. Chop mix-ins finely to ensure even distribution throughout the creamy base.
• Add a tablespoon of corn syrup or vodka to prevent ice crystals and keep your ice cream extra smooth and scoopable. This trick helps maintain a perfect creamy consistency even after freezing.
• Transfer the ice cream to a shallow, wide container for easier scooping. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface to prevent freezer burn and preserve the luscious texture.

Serving Ideas for Summer or Movie Nights

• Ice Cream Sundae Spectacular: Create a classic sundae by topping the no-churn ice cream with hot fudge sauce, whipped cream, and a maraschino cherry for a nostalgic dessert experience.
• Flavor Fusion Bar: Set up a mix-in station with crushed cookies, chocolate chips, chopped nuts, and fresh berries, allowing guests to customize their ice cream with personal flavor combinations.
• Dessert Pairing Perfection: Serve alongside warm brownies, pound cake, or fresh fruit tarts to elevate the dessert experience and create a delightful contrast of temperatures and textures.
• Afternoon Tea Treat: Present small scoops in elegant dessert glasses with a delicate cookie on the side, perfect for an afternoon gathering or light dessert course.

Freezer Tips to Keep It Scoopable

• Chilling Strategies: Store the no-churn ice cream in an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid to prevent freezer burn and unwanted ice crystals from forming. Glass or hard plastic containers work best for maintaining texture and flavor.
• Flavor Preservation Tricks: Wrap the container in plastic wrap or aluminum foil for an extra layer of protection against freezer odors. This simple step helps maintain the pure, creamy taste of your homemade treat.
• Temperature Control: Keep the ice cream in the coldest part of your freezer, typically at the back, away from the door. Consistent temperature helps maintain the smooth, creamy consistency you worked hard to create.
• Serving Smart: Remove the ice cream from the freezer 5-10 minutes before serving to soften slightly. Use a heated ice cream scoop for easier scooping and picture-perfect servings that glide effortlessly into bowls.

Dreamy No-Churn Ice Cream Recipe

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4.9 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Homemade no-churn ice cream delivers creamy perfection without complex machinery or churning. Whipped cream and sweetened condensed milk blend into a luxurious dessert you can customize with countless flavor combinations.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 14 ounces (397 grams) sweetened condensed milk
• 2 cups (473 ml) heavy whipping cream
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Whipping: Utilize an electric mixer to whip heavy cream into voluminous, sturdy peaks that hold their shape without becoming grainy or over-beaten.
2. Base Preparation: Blend sweetened condensed milk with vanilla extract in a separate bowl, creating a smooth, aromatic foundation for the frozen dessert.
3. Fusion and Incorporation: Gently fold the whipped cream into the condensed milk mixture using careful, sweeping motions to maintain the mixture’s delicate airiness and prevent deflation.
4. Flavor Enhancement: Introduce textural elements like crushed chocolate sandwich cookies, dark chocolate shards, or fresh seasonal berries, distributing them evenly throughout the creamy base with minimal mixing.
5. Freezing Process: Transfer the mixture to a freezer-safe container with an airtight lid, smoothing the surface to ensure uniform freezing and optimal texture development.
6. Chilling and Setting: Seal the container completely and place in the freezer’s coldest section, allowing the ice cream to solidify and develop its rich, creamy consistency for 4-6 hours or until perfectly set.

Notes

• Whip with Precision: Achieve soft, billowy peaks in heavy cream by carefully controlling electric whisking to maintain a delicate texture without over-beating.
• Flavor Foundation Matters: Mix vanilla extract thoroughly into sweetened condensed milk for a rich, aromatic base that elevates the entire dessert’s taste profile.
• Fold Gently: Use gentle, sweeping motions when combining whipped cream and condensed milk to preserve airiness and prevent mixture deflation.
• Freeze Strategically: Store in the coldest freezer section, tightly sealed, allowing 4-6 hours of undisturbed freezing to develop a smooth, creamy consistency.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 409
• Sugar: 26 g
• Sodium: 83 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg