Making homemade ice cream with just 3 ingredients is incredibly easy and requires no special equipment like an ice cream machine! Here’s a simple and delicious recipe for creamy, smooth ice cream.
3-Ingredient Homemade Ice Cream Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream (cold)
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or any flavoring of your choice)
Optional mix-ins:
- Chocolate chips
- Crushed cookies (e.g., Oreos)
- Fruit (e.g., strawberries, mango)
- Nuts (e.g., almonds, pistachios)
- Swirls of chocolate or caramel sauce
Instructions:
- Whip the Cream:
- In a large mixing bowl, pour in the cold heavy whipping cream.
- Using an electric mixer or a hand whisk, whip the cream on medium-high speed until soft peaks form (about 3-4 minutes). The cream should be fluffy and hold its shape but not too stiff.
- Combine with Sweetened Condensed Milk:
- Add the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract to the whipped cream.
- Gently fold the mixture together using a spatula or spoon. Be careful not to deflate the whipped cream too much—keep it light and fluffy.
- Add Optional Mix-ins (if desired):
- At this point, you can fold in any optional mix-ins, such as chocolate chips, crushed cookies, or fruit. Stir gently until everything is evenly combined.
- Freeze:
- Transfer the mixture to a freezer-safe container. Smooth the top with a spatula and cover with plastic wrap or a lid.
- Freeze for at least 4 hours or until fully set. For best results, let it freeze overnight.
- Serve:
- Once the ice cream is firm and ready, scoop and serve! If it’s too hard to scoop straight out of the freezer, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften slightly.
Tips:
- Flavor Variations: You can experiment with different extracts (like almond, coconut, or mint) to give the ice cream a different flavor.
- Texture: If you want a smoother texture, stir the mixture once every 30 minutes for the first 2-3 hours of freezing to break up any ice crystals.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 weeks.
Enjoy your easy, creamy homemade ice cream!
