Say hello to the coolest treat around. Sweet and creamy ice cream is beloved by all ages—and there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy it. Read on to learn everything (yes, everything!) you need to know about ice cream; including recipes, products and tips for mastering it at home.
How to Make Ice Cream: Methods
Making homemade ice cream is not as complicated as it sounds. And, while you definitely can invest in gear and gadgets to streamline the process, it’s not necessary. We’ll show you how to make ice cream a myriad of ways—you just pick the one that works best for your family.
How to Make Ice Cream without an Ice Cream Maker
To make ice cream without an ice cream maker, you’ll need a handful of common kitchen tools, including a mixing bowl, 13×9 pan and a spatula. Time and patience are other key ingredients, since this method relies on a slow, meticulous churning process.
How to Make Ice Cream with an Ice Cream Maker
If you plan on making a lot of frozen treats, it’s worth it to invest in an ice cream maker. These sleek machines yield professional-quality results and less hands-on time. You’ll still need to prep your ice cream base and, in some machines, the maker’s canister before reaching for the scoop.
How to Make Ice Cream in a Bag
Do memories of summer camp come flooding back at the mere mention of making ice cream in a bag? You’re not alone. This kid-friendly, hands-on approach uses salt and muscle power to create silky smooth ice cream.
How to Make Ice Cream in a Coffee Can
Similar to the bagged method, coffee can ice cream relies on rock salt and movement to yield a frozen treat. Except instead of mixing with your hands, you can roll or even (gently!) kick the can around. This method is great if you want to get a little exercise in before indulging!
Tips for Making Homemade Ice Cream
Just like any skill, practice makes perfect. But we have a few ice cream-making tips to get you started, including:
- Reach for quality ingredients. A basic ice cream base has very few ingredients, so make sure you’re including top-notch items, like fresh cream and pure vanilla extract. Trust us—you’ll be able to taste the difference!
- Ward off ice crystals. One of the biggest challenges you’ll face when making homemade ice cream is ice crystal formation. These mini ice pieces can ruin the texture of your ice cream and affect the flavor. Keep them at bay by sticking to your recipe’s sweetener amounts and taking steps to store the ice cream in an airtight container. Our Test Kitchen has plenty of ice cream tips to ensure success to check out before you start churning.
- Experiment with flavors. Pink Peppercorn and Sake Ice Cream? Coming right up. How about London Fog or Dark Chocolate with Paprika & Agave? Feel free to go wild with your ice cream flavor choices. You might just create a new favorite!
Ice Cream Recipes
Now that you know the basics of how to make ice cream, put your skills to the test with these homemade ice cream recipes! We have tons of ideas for every type of sweet tooth.
Classic Ice Cream Recipes
You can’t go wrong with these tried-and-true flavors:
- Vanilla ice cream
- Chocolate ice cream
- Strawberry ice cream
- Mint chip ice cream
- Rocky Road ice cream
- Coffee ice cream
Unique Ice Cream Recipes
Craving something a little less traditional? We’ve got you covered:
- Banana ice cream
- Coconut ice cream
- Praline crunch ice cream
- Peppermint ice cream
- Maple-walnut ice cream
And for even more ideas, consult our collection of unique ice cream flavors. Trust us—you haven’t tried these yet!
Ice Cream-Based Desserts
A scoop tastes delicious on its own (or packed into a cone), but you can also use ice cream to make next-level desserts.
Milkshakes
The 1950s called—and they said this sweet sipper is never going out of style. A classic milkshake blends milk, ice cream and your favorite mix-ins until smooth, then is topped with whipped cream.
Sundaes and Splits
Another classic treat, ice cream sundaes are laden with sauces, fresh fruit, nuts and other tasty toppings. We love an old-fashioned banana split, as well as this decadent turtle sauce that blends smooth chocolate and sweet caramel. And, to make your sundae even sweeter, serve it in a homemade ice cream bowl.
Ice Cream Cakes
For a show-stopping dessert, you can’t go wrong with an ice cream cake. These novelties combine all of the good stuff—ice cream, cake, cookies, whipped cream, sprinkles and more—into an easy-to-slice dessert. Try this pretty birthday ice cream cake or our DQ ice cream cake copycat recipe.
Ice Cream Novelties
Growing up, there was no sound more exciting than that of the ice cream truck. And these eat-with-your-hands options will take you right back to childhood:
Ice Cream Products and Tools
If making ice cream is your new favorite hobby, we won’t judge! In fact, we rounded up the best ice cream products and tools for dessert lovers. Here are some of our essential picks:
- Ice cream makers. These helpful machines take the guesswork out of homemade ice cream and guarantee smooth results every time. Find picks for the countertop, a KitchenAid and more.
- Ice cream scoops. Raise your hand if you’ve ever hurt your wrist trying to scoop too-hard ice cream. These top-rated scoops cut through even the densest dessert and will last you way longer than your favorite pint.
- Ice cream cookbooks. Once you’ve mastered vanilla, try something new with these ice cream cookbooks. You’ll find recipes from chefs and industry pros alike, including Salt & Straw and Ben & Jerry’s.
The Best Ice Cream Brands
When an ice cream craving hits, there’s not always time to make it from scratch. That’s why we recommend these top-notch ice cream brands you can buy online or at a specialty grocer, including Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream. For a less indulgent (and more cost-conscious) treat, check out the winners of our vanilla and chocolate ice cream brand taste tests.
Berry Bliss Cobbler
A little bit sweet, a little bit tart, topped off with golden, sugar-kissed biscuits, this cobbler is summer perfection. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Fudgy Peanut Butter Cake
I clipped this easy peanut butter cake recipe from a newspaper years ago. The house smells fantastic while it's slow cooking. My husband and son enjoy the cake with ice cream and nuts on top. —Bonnie Evans, Norcross, Georgia
Dutch Oven Chocolate Dump Cake
Looking for a quick dessert that will make people think you spent all day in the kitchen? This Dutch oven dump cake will wow your guests. Feel free to use your favorite pie filling in place of cherry. — Rashanda Cobbins, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Dish it out with the best ice cream scoop.
Slow-Cooker Peach Cobbler
Unlike conventional cobblers, the "topping" of this Crock-Pot peach cobbler is on the bottom. Placing the batter underneath the peaches helps it cook through evenly in the slow cooker. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin If you like this recipe, then you’ll love these ice cream cookbooks.
Skillet Stout Brownies
These stout brownies are so rich and fudgy. I love how quickly they come together. They're perfect for a busy weeknight. —Mandy Naglich, New York, New York
Strawberry-Rhubarb Upside-Down Cake
I prepare this colorful dessert quite often in the late spring or summer when fresh rhubarb is abundant. I make this rhubarb cake with cake mix and take it to church potlucks. People actually line up for a piece. —Bonnie Krogman, Thompson Falls, Montana
Mini Apple Crisps
My family and I pick Honeycrisp apples at our local orchard every September. We are always looking for new ways to use the apples and this has become a favorite. The kids go straight to the refrigerator, grab a crisp, top it with ice cream, and have a delicious after-school snack. I also put these in their lunches for a special surprise. —Sabrina Olson, Otsego, Minnesota
Multi-Cooker Dumpling-Topped Cherries
You can't beat the combination of almond flavor with cherries. The light and fluffy dumplings are heavenly. Topped with sauce and ice cream, this makes for a scrumptious dessert. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Iva's Peach Cobbler
My mother received this peach cobbler recipe from a friend of hers many years ago, and fortunately she shared it with me. Boise is situated right between two large fruit-producing areas in our state, so peaches are plentiful in the summer. —Ruby Ewart, Boise, Idaho
Pineapple Upside-Down Dump Cake
This dump cake recipe is wonderful topped with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. It works well with gluten-free and sugar-free cake mixes too. —Karin Gatewood, Dallas, Texas
Chocolate Cobbler
It's impossible to resist the flavorful chocolate cobbler sauce that appears when this delightful cake bakes. —Margaret McNeil, Germantown, Tennessee
Cranberry-Pear Apple Crisp
With its crunchy golden topping and flavorful blend of tart cranberries and sweet apples and pears, this dessert makes a refreshing finish to heavy winter meals. —Lois Gelzer, Standish, Maine
Devil's Food Snack Cake
My husband and his friends request this devil's food snack cake for camping trips because it’s easy to transport. That makes it great for taking to potlucks and other events, too, as there's no frosting involved. —Julie Danler, Bel Aire, Kansas
Slow-Cooked Pumpkin Apple Cobbler
This spiced pumpkin apple cobbler recipe is sure to please all of your holiday guests. It's perfect for fall, but can be made year-round since it uses fresh or frozen cranberries. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Skillet Blueberry Slump
My mother-in-law made a slump of wild blueberries with dumplings and served it warm with a pitcher of farm cream. We’ve been enjoying slump desserts for 60 years. —Eleanore Ebeling, Brewster, Minnesota
Macaroon Cherry Pie
I use homegrown cherries in this bountiful pie with its unique crunchy coconut topping. But I've found that purchased tart cherries yield a dessert that's nearly as delicious. I always bake this pie around Presidents Day or Valentine's Day, but it's popular with my family in any season. —Lori Daniels, Beverly, West Virginia
Slow-Cooker Berry Cobbler
I adapted my mom's yummy cobbler recipe for slow cooking. With the hot summers here in Arizona, we can still enjoy this comforting dessert, and I don't have to turn on the oven. —Karen Jarocki, Yuma, Arizona
Apple Crumble Pie
The crumb topping of this apple crumb pie recipe is awesome, which may explain why dessert always disappears fast. Or maybe it's the chunky apple filling. Either way, it's a family tradition. —Vera Brouwer, Maurice, Iowa
Cherry Chocolate Marble Cake
Cherries and chocolate are natural partners that make desserts such as this simply scrumptious! The marbled effect is easily achieved by layering the two contrasting batters. —Sandra Campbell, Chase Mills, New York
Nutty Apple Streusel Dessert
Many people don't think of using a slow cooker to make dessert, but I like having this hot, scrumptious apple treat waiting to be served when we finish up our dinner. I start it in the morning and don't think about it all day. —Jacki Every, Rotterdam, New York
Slow-Cooked Blueberry Grunt
If you love blueberries, then you can't go wrong with this easy dessert. For a special treat, serve it warm with vanilla ice cream. —Cleo Gonske, Redding, California
Pumpkin Cranberry Bread Pudding
Savor your favorite fall flavors with this scrumptious bread pudding, served warm with a sweet vanilla sauce. Yum! —Judith Bucciarelli, Johnson, New York
Peach Pie
I acquired this delicious peach pie filling recipe some 40 years ago, when my husband and I first moved to southern Iowa and had peach trees growing in our backyard. It's been a family favorite since then and always brings back memories of both summer and those happy early years. — June Mueller, Sioux City, Iowa
Blueberry-Rhubarb Crumble
A dollop of whipped topping adds a nice finishing touch to this satisfying crumble. Sometimes I drizzle a little flavored coffee creamer on top instead of the whipped topping. —Nancy Sousley, Lafayette, Indiana
Apple Butterscotch Crisp
I give this classic dessert a rich twist with butterscotch pudding. The warm apple filling bubbles to perfection in a mini slow cooker. —Jolanthe Erb, Harrisonburg, Virginia
Apple Pie Oatmeal Dessert
Warm and comforting oatmeal desserts bring back memories of time spent with my family around the kitchen table. I serve this dish with sweetened whipped cream or vanilla ice cream as a topper. —Carol Greer, Earlville, Illinois
Cinnamon-Raisin Banana Bread Pudding
My family likes to change the toppings for this luscious dessert. We use berries, chopped nuts or fruit, ice cream, whipped cream or caramel topping. If I'm making the dessert for adults only, I love to add a little rum to the milk mixture to give the pudding extra flavor. —Aysha Schurman, Ammon, Idaho
Burgundy Pears
These warm spiced pears elevate slow cooking to a new level of elegance, yet they're incredibly easy to make. Your friends won't believe this fancy-looking dessert came from a slow cooker. —Elizabeth Hanes, Peralta, New Mexico
Blueberry Crumble Tarts
Pop one in a lunch box, share a batch at work or wait until dessert—these are sweet anytime, anywhere. Sometimes, I refrigerate prepared tarts overnight and bake them while making dinner the next day. Foolproof. —Carole Fraser, North York, Ontario
Cranberry Stuffed Apples
Cinnamon, nutmeg and walnuts add a homey autumn flavor to these stuffed apples, but the slow cooker does most of the work for me. —Graciela Sandvigen, Rochester, New YorkPineapple Upside-Down Dump Cake
This dump cake recipe is wonderful topped with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. It works well with gluten-free and sugar-free cake mixes too. —Karin Gatewood, Dallas, Texas
Apple-Pumpkin Upside-Down Cake
We love the combination of classic fall fruits in this cake. I bake the apples on the bottom to keep them plump and moist, then flip the cake so they're on top. This is best served warm with vanilla ice cream, but we enjoy digging in any time of day. —Christina Yahraes, San Francisco, California
Chocolate-Covered-Cherry Dump Cake
My mother-in-law loves chocolate-covered cherries, and I used to make this chocolate cherry dump cake every year for her birthday. Now we've moved away, but I make this for my kids on her birthday and they still feel near her. —Angela Lively, Conroe, Texas
Butterscotch-Pecan Bread Pudding
Bread pudding fans just might hoard this yummy butterscotch version. Toppings like whipped cream and a butterscotch drizzle make this dessert absolutely irresistible. —Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas
Chocolate Malt Pudding Cake
When I make this warm, comforting cake, I chop the malted milk balls by putting them in a bag and pounding them with a rubber mallet. Doing this completely eliminates the mess. —Sarah Skubinna, Cascade, Montana
Maple-Orange Pear Crisp
In fall, my family loves to kick back after dinner and dig into big bowls of this spiced crisp. It isn't too sweet, but still satisfies a sweet tooth. —Noreen McCormick, Cromwell, Connecticut
Spiced Fruit Crisp
When it comes to a heartwarming treat on a chilly winter's day, this home-style crisp is hard to beat. The gingersnap-crumb topping nicely accents the apples, pears, raisins and dates. —Pat Habiger, Spearville, Kansas
Apple Pie a la Mode
This pie a la mode is a family favorite that combines apple pie filling and butter pecan ice cream with caramel topping and chopped nuts. I created it when trying to think up a rich dessert to complete a dinner party menu. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
Chocolate Brownie Waffle Sundaes
One of my best friends loves chocolate as much as I do, so I like to make this over-the-top brownie waffles treat when we're together playing board games or cards in the winter. —Vicki DuBois, Milltown, Indiana
Grilled Angel Food Cake with Strawberries
One night I goofed, accidentally using the balsamic butter I save for grilling chicken on my pound cake. What a delicious mistake that my entire family loved! For a patriotic look, add a drizzle of blueberry syrup. —Tammy Hathaway, Freeman Twp, Maine
Blueberry Upside-Down Skillet Cake
Living in Maine, I am lucky to have an endless amount of wild blueberries. This recipe's similar to a pineapple upside down cake. It's easy, light and also great with cranberries. —Nettie Moore, Belfast, Maine
Cake & Berry Campfire Cobbler
This warm Dutch oven cobbler is one of our favorite ways to end a busy day of fishing, hiking, swimming or rafting. It's yummy with ice cream—and so easy to make! —June Dress, Boise, IdahoGrilled Angel Food Cake with Strawberries
One night I goofed, accidentally using the balsamic butter I save for grilling chicken on my pound cake. What a delicious mistake that my entire family loved! For a patriotic look, add a drizzle of blueberry syrup. —Tammy Hathaway, Freeman Twp, Maine
Grilled Honey Balsamic-Glazed Fruit
One summer my mother-in-law made us grilled peaches basted with a sweet and tangy sauce. These are so good I'm always tempted to eat the whole batch. —Kristin Van Dyken, West Richland, Washington
Jumbleberry Crumble
A friend brought this delicious, down-home dessert to church and was kind enough to give out the recipe. Everyone enjoyed it so much and just showered her with compliments! It’s especially wonderful served warm or with a dollop of creamy whipped topping. —Mary Ann Dell, Phoenixville, PennsylvaniaThe post The Ultimate Guide to Making Ice Cream appeared first on Taste of Home.
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