Every editorial product is independently selected, ice cream maker recipes we may be compensated or receive an affiliate commission if you buy something through our links. Ratings and prices are accurate and items are in stock as of time of publication. Learn how to make homemade ice cream with just four ingredients and a little time. Ice cream is one of life’s simple pleasures.
Its cool, custard-like sweetness and ability to pair with practically any topping. That’s why we practically flipped when our Test Kitchen created this four-ingredient recipe for making homemade ice cream without an ice cream maker. You may already know how to make ice cream in a bag or how to make ice cream in a coffee can. But there are no crazy tricks or pricey gadgets involved with this method. It just takes your freezer and a few hours of time. Read on to learn how to make homemade ice cream without an ice cream maker.
But first, check out some more of our other homemade ice cream recipes. The best part is you only need four ingredients to whip it up! 9-inch Pyrex pan, but anything stainless steel works well here, too. In a large bowl, stir all the ingredients until the sugar is dissolved.
Test Kitchen Tip: For the smoothest texture, make sure the sugar is completely dissolved before you freeze. Transfer your mixture into the cold pan and stick it back in the freezer for about 20-30 minutes. Around that time, check the ice cream. Once the edges start to freeze, take out the mixture and beat it using a hand mixer.
By breaking up the ice cream, you’ll help make it smooth and creamy. You cannot beat the mixture too much. Every 30 minutes or so, take it back out and beat the ice cream again. Repeat until it is firmly frozen, usually around four or five mixing sessions. Once it’s frozen, the mixture should be smooth and creamy.
If at any time the ice cream becomes too hard, place it in the refrigerator until it becomes soft enough to beat, and then continue the process. Store the ice cream in a covered freezer container until ready to serve. Try using it as a base for our best ice cream sundae ideas. Mix in chunks of your favorite candy bars. Drizzle in toppings like melted caramel, dark chocolate or toffee. Here are our favorite ice cream sandwich combos.
Add in unexpected flavors like chocolate and sriracha or maple syrup and fig. Or, add some to one of these desserts that are even better with a scoop of ice cream. How do you make ice cream smooth? The best way to get your ice cream silky smooth is to not skip on the beating. Though you’ll have to remain vigilant for a few hours, beating the ice cream every 30 minutes, rather than 45 minutes, makes all the difference.