• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Delicious Recipes for Everyday Life • Ambitious Foodie
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Quick & Easy
  • Air Fryer
  • Instant Pot
  • Contact Me
  • ABOUT
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Quick & Easy
    • Air Fryer
    • Instant Pot
    • Contact Me
    • ABOUT
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Ambitious Foodie » Desserts & Sweets

    Easy 3 Ingredient Ice Cream

    Published: Jan 28, 2023 · Modified: Jun 19, 2023 by Imsen · This post may contain affiliate links · 16 Comments

    • Facebook
    • Yummly
    • Email
    • Flipboard
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This 3 Ingredient Ice Cream recipe is the ideal way to celebrate the start of summer. There is no need for expensive machinery, ice cream makers, or specialized utensils because it only requires 3 ingredients!

    Looking for a more easy recipe to make? Try this Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli, Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes, or this Quick & Easy Gouda Mac and Cheese.

    overlay shot of vanilla ice cream on a grey dish

    Why you'll love it

    The most popular ice cream flavor in the US, and possibly the entire world, is vanilla. It can be eaten simply or with a variety of toppings. It complements desserts like pies, root beer floats, banana splits, and sundaes wonderfully. Making it at home is incredibly enjoyable and simple; if I can do it, so can you. Let's get going!

    On top of this, this recipe requires no machine or complex ingredients and instructions.

    close-up of vanilla ice cream

    What you'll need for this 3 ingredient vanilla ice cream

    Traditionally, making custard is the first step in making handmade ice cream. A pre-frozen ice cream maker is then filled with the custard, and it is stirred until the custard solidifies into a creamy treat.

    Just 3 ingredients are required to make this vanilla ice cream:

    • Heavy Whipping Cream - Without cream, ice cream is impossible to make!
    • Vanilla extract - Its delicious vanilla flavor comes from vanilla extract.
    • Sweetened condensed milk - will aid with the texture and sweetness of the ice cream.

    In this recipe, I used roasted almonds (optional) and honey to give it a little more crunchy texture and sweetness.

    How to make 3 ingredient ice cream

    There is no need for an ice cream maker to produce this ice cream; it only takes 3 basic ingredients and 3 simple processes.

    overlay shot of vanilla ice cream on a grey surface
    1. In a medium bowl, combine the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla (per the recipe below). Use a real vanilla bean and scrape the little seeds out for a flavor that is more potent. To the mixture, add.
    2. Whip the heavy whipping cream until firm peaks form in the second cold bowl.
    3. Gently combine by folding until combined. Avoid overmixing to ensure a light and airy final product.

    You are now prepared to freeze it! Simply pour the mixture into the prepared loaf pan, then wrap it in plastic.

    I added a few more extra steps to my recipe by adding roasted almonds (crushed) mixed with honey to the base of the ramequin, so when it flips down the ice-cream will be supported by the almond's base.

    What Does No-Churn Mean?

    No-churn ice cream can be created without an ice cream maker and is ready to eat in a matter of hours. It is delicious homemade vanilla ice cream. The base of most homemade ice creams is an egg custard that is prepared with the same tender loving care as your firstborn kid. Not this one, though.

    Storing Homemade Ice Cream

    The secret is to protect the ice cream from temperature changes once it has been produced. Here are a few suggestions to keep the ice cream fresh:

    • Before closing the container lid, wrap plastic wrap around the ice cream. This stops ice crystals from growing on the ice cream's surface. (This works with ice cream from the store as well.
    • Instead of storing it in a deep container, use a flat one.
    • To maintain the same temperature, store it near the back of the freezer rather than the door.
    close-up of vanilla ice cream

    Variations and substitutions

    I enjoy making the homemade ice cream base and then letting each person's unique palate decide on their preferred flavor. Plus, this recipe will be the key to your success if you want to make a DIY ice cream bar that doesn't take a long time to make.

    Here are some of my personal favorite taste combinations in the hopes that they would encourage you to develop your own:

    • Vanilla beans, frozen strawberries, black pepper, and white chocolate chips make up the Peppered Strawberry Bean.
    • White chocolate chips, graham cracker crumbs, lime juice, and lime zest make up a key lime pie.
    • Freshly minced mint leaves, peppermint extract, green food coloring, and micro chocolate chips make up the Minty Mini-Chocolate Chip.
    • The Islander: Salted caramel, macadamia nuts, and toasted coconut with pineapple chunks.

    Tips for Making No-Churn Ice Cream

    • Purchase the proper ingredients. It's crucial that you get all of the ingredients stated in the recipe card below because this homemade ice cream recipe only calls for a small number of ingredients. Your ice cream won't turn out properly if you try to use lesser fat or lower sugar substitutes.
    • Make sure to just add a tiny bit at a time when flavoring the vanilla ice cream base with additional extracts, such as mint or almond. Although it is difficult to overuse vanilla extract, other extracts are much stronger.
    • Last but not least, chop up your add-ins. It helps if you slice up larger nuts, chocolate chips, M&Ms, and other items before freezing them because they become extremely hard.

    More Delicious recipes:

    Quick & Easy Gouda Mac and Cheese

    Easy Turkish Baklava Recipe

    Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli

    Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes

    Grilled Buffalo Chicken

    close-up of vanilla ice cream with a spoon near it

    3 Ingredient Ice Cream

    This 3-ingredient homemade ice cream base is the easiest way to make creamy ice cream that isn't icy.No special equipment is needed.
    5 from 17 votes
    Print Pin Email SaveSaved! Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American, Italian
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Freeze: 4 hours hours
    Total Time: 4 hours hours 15 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 293kcal
    Author: Imsen
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 1 can sweetened condensed milk
    • 2 tsps vanilla extract
    • 2 cups heavy whipping cream

    Instructions

    • Use a hand mixer or a stand mixer to beat the cream in a large bowl until stiff peaks form; do not overwhip. When you remove the beaters and the cream stands at attention, the cream is finished.
    • Whisk the vanilla into the sweetened condensed milk in a separate, sizable bowl. Use a spatula to softly fold the whipped cream into the other mixture so that it stays airy and light.
    • If you're making many flavors, divide the cream mixture into smaller bowls before gently folding in your chosen add-ins. If you're preparing just one flavor, simply stir the ingredients into the cream mixture.
    • Place the mixture in paper containers or an insulated tub and freeze for 4-6 hours.

    Recipe Notes

    Note that this recipe is an all-rounder, if you want the exact same results here are a few tips:
    • Transfer the cream base to a small ramequin.
    • Put on top of the filled ramequin some roasted almonds mixed with honey.
    • Make sure to cover the empty ramequin with plastic wrap so it makes it easier to flip down the ice cream.

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    3 Ingredient Ice Cream
    Serving Size
     
    1 serving
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    293
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    21
    g
    32
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    13
    g
    81
    %
    Cholesterol
     
    79
    mg
    26
    %
    Sodium
     
    69
    mg
    3
    %
    Potassium
     
    183
    mg
    5
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    23
    g
    8
    %
    Sugar
     
    22
    g
    24
    %
    Protein
     
    4
    g
    8
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    806
    IU
    16
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    1
    mg
    1
    %
    Calcium
     
    144
    mg
    14
    %
    Iron
     
    1
    mg
    6
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Follow @ambitiousfoodieblog on Instagram, take a shot, and tag it #ambitiousfoodieblog! I love to see what you are making!

    • air fryer peach cobbler in a ramequin with slices of peach on the side
      Air Fryer Peach Cobbler
    • The Easiest Cinnamon Apple Pie
    • turkish baklava in a copper baking dish on a white surface
      Easy Turkish Baklava Recipe
    • close-up of chocolate chip cookies on white background
      Easy Chocolate Chip Cookies without Brown Sugar
    • Facebook
    • Yummly
    • Email
    • Flipboard

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sonal Gupta

      January 28, 2023 at 2:00 pm

      5 stars
      I am so trying this recipe when the weather gets warmer.

      Reply
      • Imsen

        January 28, 2023 at 6:33 pm

        5 stars
        so refreshing and yummy!

        Reply
    2. TAYLER ROSS

      January 28, 2023 at 3:50 pm

      5 stars
      I made this with the kids today and it was the easiest, most delicious ice cream we've ever made! Thanks for sharing the recipe!

      Reply
      • Imsen

        January 28, 2023 at 6:33 pm

        5 stars
        you are welcome and glad the kids liked the recipe!

        Reply
    3. Gina Abernathy

      January 28, 2023 at 4:26 pm

      5 stars
      I love ice cream all year long. I am making this today!

      Reply
      • Imsen

        January 28, 2023 at 6:34 pm

        5 stars
        glad you liked the recipe!

        Reply
    4. Sandra

      January 28, 2023 at 4:55 pm

      5 stars
      Cannot wait to try this easy looking ice cream recipe. Looks amazing!!

      Reply
      • Imsen

        January 28, 2023 at 6:34 pm

        5 stars
        you are welcome 🙂

        Reply
    5. NANCY

      January 28, 2023 at 5:37 pm

      5 stars
      IT DOESN'T GET ANY EASIER THAN 3 Ingredient Ice Cream! AWESOME!

      Reply
      • Imsen

        January 28, 2023 at 6:34 pm

        5 stars
        yeah this is by far the most simple and easy way to make an ice cream!

        Reply
    6. Dannii

      February 27, 2023 at 8:53 am

      5 stars
      This was quick and easy to make and the kids loved it.

      Reply
    7. Anjali

      February 27, 2023 at 9:04 am

      5 stars
      I love that you don't need an ice cream maker to make this ice cream! I made this for dessert tonight and served it with some warm cookies and it was a hit!

      Reply
    8. Vidya Narayan

      February 27, 2023 at 11:06 am

      5 stars
      Cant wait to try this recipe in the next couple of months when the weather is warm. looks delicious & 3 ingredients only.

      Reply
    9. KAte

      February 27, 2023 at 11:28 am

      5 stars
      I was so shocked how well this came out and so easy! No-churn for the win! Thanks for the sweet treat!

      Reply
    10. Ned

      February 27, 2023 at 12:11 pm

      5 stars
      Perfect ice cream! I love that there was only 3 ingredients! Fun to make it with my kids. Thank you!

      Reply
    11. Barbara O’Neal

      June 28, 2023 at 1:42 am

      5 stars
      So easy and so yummy! Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply

    Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, This is Imsen! I'm the author, recipe developer, and photographer behind Ambitious Foodie. Welcome to my virtual kitchen! If you're wondering what's for dinner, you've come to the right place.

    More about me →

    Air Fryer recipes

    • close-up overlay shot of air fried potato wedges with cheese on top and ketchup sauce on the side
      Air Fryer Cheesy Potato Wedges
    • overhead shot of a camembert wheel baked, and drizzled with olive oil on top and a slice of bread
      Air Fryer Baked Camembert
    • How to Cook Frozen Sausage in Air Fryer
    • overlay shot of air fryer roasted cauliflower on a grey dish
      Air Fryer Frozen Cauliflower

    Featured In:

    top recipes

    • chicken mozzarella pasta
      The Best Chicken Mozzarella Pasta
    • oven baked chicken parmesan with mozzarella on top
      The Best Crispy Chicken Parmesan
    • creamy mozzarella shrimp pasta with sun-dried tomatoes
      The Best Creamy Mozzarella Shrimp Pasta
    • The Best Air Fryer Roasted Baby Potatoes

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Media Kit
    • FAQ

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Ambitious Foodie

    Insert/edit link

    Enter the destination URL

    Or link to existing content

      No search term specified. Showing recent items. Search or use up and down arrow keys to select an item.