There’s nothing like the sweet chill of homemade ice cream on a hot summer day. But if you’ve ever been intimidated by ice cream machines or long, complicated recipes, this no-churn, three-ingredient method will be your new best friend. In just a few simple steps, you can whip up a creamy, dreamy frozen treat that rivals any store-bought brand.
Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue, entertaining kids (or kids at heart), or simply craving an afternoon pick-me-up, this recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort. Say goodbye to churning, constant freezer checks, and ingredient lists that rival a chemistry textbook. Let’s dive in!
1. Gather Your Three Simple Ingredients
To keep things easy and foolproof, you only need heavy cream, sweetened condensed milk, and your favorite flavoring.
• Heavy cream: Provides the rich, airy base.
• Sweetened condensed milk: Sweetens and stabilizes without the need for eggs or sugar.
• Flavoring: Vanilla extract is classic, but you can swap in cocoa powder, fruit purée, or any extract you love.
2. Chill Your Tools for Best Results
Cold equipment helps the cream whip up faster and hold its shape longer.
• Place your mixing bowl and beaters in the freezer for 10–15 minutes.
• The colder everything is, the fluffier your ice cream will be.
3. Whip the Heavy Cream to Fluffy Peaks
The secret to that light, cloud-like texture is properly whipped cream.
1. Pour the chilled heavy cream into your cold bowl.
2. Beat on medium-high speed until soft peaks form—when you lift the beaters, the cream holds its shape but droops slightly.
3. Avoid overbeating or you’ll end up with butter!
4. Fold in Condensed Milk and Flavoring
Gently combining the ingredients preserves all that air you just whipped in.
1. Pour the sweetened condensed milk into the whipped cream in two additions.
2. Drizzle in your vanilla, cocoa, or fruit purée.
3. Use a spatula to fold from the bottom up until streaks disappear—no vigorous stirring needed.
Fun Mix-In Ideas
• Chopped cookies or brownies
• Fresh berries or jam swirl
• Chocolate chips or crushed candy
• Nuts, granola, or toasted coconut
5. Freeze Until Perfectly Firm
Patience is your friend here.
1. Transfer the mixture to a freezer-safe loaf pan or container.
2. Smooth the top, cover tightly, and freeze for at least 4–6 hours (or overnight).
3. When solid, scoop and serve immediately for that classic ice cream experience.
With just three pantry staples and zero special equipment, you can create a swoon-worthy summer treat any time the sun comes out. Feel free to experiment with flavors and mix-ins to make each batch uniquely yours. Now grab a spoon, scoot into the shade, and savor your homemade, no-churn ice cream dreams!