Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

Creamy old fashioned homemade vanilla ice cream made with only 6 ingredients. Classics never go out of style!

Why this recipe works

There’s nothing quite like a heaping scoop of old-fashioned homemade vanilla ice cream. It’s creamy, rich, and quite frankly, simple. When I say simple, I mean quick, accessible ingredients like eggs, heavy whipping cream, milk, sugar, and vanilla extract kind of simple.

No heaps of mix-ins or fillers, just a classic recipe with the scoopable consistency of ice milk that proves time and time again that vanilla is superior in the world of ice cream. This is the kind of vanilla ice cream you probably grew up on. Made right at home with lots of love (and an ice cream machine). It’s absolutely divine.

RELATED – If you aren’t one to fancy a machine, you might prefer my no churn ice cream recipe instead.

Ingredients you will need

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions

EGGS – The eggs thicken the mixture and helps give it body.

HEAVY CREAM – Heavy whipping cream gives this homemade vanilla ice cream its creaminess as it contains around 36% milk fat. That fat helps reduce the formation of ice crystals as it freezes.

VANILLA – This recipe uses vanilla extract instead of whole vanilla beans, which makes it a lot more convenient (and cheaper) to make at home.

MILK – I recommend using whole milk here for the creamiest results.

How to Make Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

1. Heat milk in a saucepan until small bubbles begin to appear; stir in sugar and salt.
2. Stir about 1/2 cup of the hot milk mixture into the beaten eggs and mix well.
3. Slowly stir eggs into pan and cook over low heat, stirring for about 2 minutes. Do not boil.
4. Stir in heavy whipping cream and let mixture cool. Stir in the vanilla.
5. Freeze in ice cream machine according to directions.

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

If stored properly in an air-tight container, your homemade ice cream will keep well for up to 1 month.

Serving Suggestions

Homemade vanilla ice cream begs for all sorts of toppers from hot fudge or caramel sauce to crushed candies, cookies, wafers, or sprinkles. It’s also great used as a topper itself over brownies, cookie skillets, and pies. Or, enjoy it as-is in all its glory scooped into a cone, cup, or bowl.

More Homemade Ice Cream Recipes

• Chocolate Ice Cream
• Peppermint Ice Cream
• Rocky Road Ice Cream
• White Chocolate Ice Cream
• Homemade Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

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This post originally appeared here on December 18, 2008 and has since been updated with new photos and expert tips.