Easy Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream is one of the very first homemade ice cream recipes I shared here on the blog. It’s so delicious, you might be tempted to make ice cream sandwiches using my recipe for Jumbo Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies. But first, let me share with you a little secret.

There’s a first time for everything and for me today that’s making Easy Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream. That’s right people, I have never made homemade ice cream and that’s all about to change with this recipe.
And here’s another shocker…my husband never tasted homemade ice cream until today. Where in the world have we been living to make it this far in life without tasting something so incredibly delicious?
I’m sure somewhere along the way I’ve had homemade ice cream, I just can’t remember. But that all changes today because this recipe is unforgettably delicious!
Hamilton Beach Ice Cream Maker Recipes
This post was originally sponsored by Hamilton Beach, however, all opinions, as always are my own.
To show you how easy it is to make homemade ice cream, I’m using the recipe that comes with the Hamilton Beach Ice Cream Maker.

4 Quart Ice Cream Maker Recipes
I thought for my very first homemade ice cream recipe, I should follow one of the 4 quart ice cream maker recipes included in the box. There are quite a few recipes included in the booklet that comes with the machine. I chose to make the homemade vanilla recipe today.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
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- Ice Cream Maker – this is the 4 quart one I used for this recipe.
- Ice Cream Rock Salt
- Frozen Ice Cream Storage Container
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Ice cream scoop
Ingredients
Exact measurements are listed below in the recipe card. Make sure you scroll down to print and save the recipe for later!
- Granulated Sugar
- Whole Milk
- Heavy Whipping Cream
- Vanilla Extract
- Lemon Juice
- 8 lbs ice
- 3 cups rock salt
More InformationMore Information
Directions
In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar, milk, cream, vanilla extract and lemon juice. Whisk until mixed through.

Pour the mixture into the canister, insert the dasher, and secure the lid tightly.

Following the instructions in the manual, add the ice and rock salt to the machine and let the churning begin!

After about 40 minutes, the machine started to slow down the ice cream looked like this:

Chilling Homemade Ice Cream
Look how delicious! Now comes the hard part…waiting. Put the ice cream into a freezer safe container and freeze for about one to two hours before serving.

Favorite Ice Cream Toppings
Of course the ice cream is delicious just as it is, but it’s always fun to add your favorite toppings:
- Chocolate sauce or fudge
- Homemade Strawberry Sauce
- Chopped walnuts or pecans
- Different colored sprinkles
- Homemade whipped cream
TRIED THIS RECIPE? LET ME KNOW IN THE COMMENTS AND DON’T FORGET TO RATE IT!

Like this recipe? Try these Cookie Recipes:
The only thing missing from this dessert is a cookie or two! Here are a few yummy recipes that you might enjoy.
- Chocolate Sugar Cookies – oh my word…how about putting a scoop of this homemade vanilla ice cream between two chocolate sugar cookies? That sounds yummy, right?
- Or try this recipe for M&M Cookies to make an ice cream sandwich.
- Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies

FREQUENTLY ASKED RECIPE QUESTIONS
Making ice cream at home is not a quick process. But it is truly worth the time it takes to make this delicious recipe.
I’ve only made this recipe using rock salt, but you can use Kosher salt. From the research I’ve done online, it seems that using regular table salt could give the ice cream a bitter taste. Rock salt is not hard to find or purchase. I ordered mine from Amazon. It was delivered in just a day!

Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream
Easy Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe - smooth, creamy and so delicious! You'll love how easy this recipe is to make and keep cool on a hot summer day!
Ingredients
Ingredients for the Ice Cream Base
- 3 cups granulated sugar
- 3 cups whole milk
- 6 cups whipping cream
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
Ingredients for the Ice Cream Maker
- 8 lbs ice
- 3 cups rock salt
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar, milk, cream, vanilla extract and lemon juice. Whisk until mixed through.
- Pour the mixture into the canister, insert the dasher, and secure the lid tightly.
- Place the canister into the center of the bucket. Assemble the motor over the canister with the dasher shaft inserted into the hole in the bottom of the motor.
- Turn the motor counter clockwise to lock the motor onto the bucket.
- Place the bucket into the sink.
- Plug in the power cord. Allow the mixture to churn for a couple minutes before adding ice to the bucket.
- Unplug the motor. Add about 2 inches of ice to the bottom of the bucket and sprinkle on about a 1/2 cup of the rock salt. Repeat the layers until the bucket is completely full.
- Plug the motor back in and allow the ice cream to churn for 20-40 minutes, or until the machine slows or stops on it's own. Keep an eye on it and add more ice as needed.
- Remove the canister. If you wish to mix in items such as fresh berries, chocolate, nuts, etc, do so now with a long-handled rubber spatula.
- Replace the lid, insert the storage plug, and put the canister into the freezer for 1-2 hours before serving.
Notes
This recipe should yield around 8 to 12 servings.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 639Total Fat: 45gSaturated Fat: 29gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 141mgSodium: 28356mgCarbohydrates: 56gFiber: 0gSugar: 57gProtein: 5g
The nutrition information is calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee its accuracy. If this data is important to you, please verify with your trusted nutrition calculator.

Thanks for sharing this 🙂
I used 4 cups of milk, 4 cups 1/2 +1/2 and 4 cups heavy cream 4 cups of sugar and 2 tsp vanilla 1tsp salt ,,,turned out awesome, thanks for the recipe
Sounds delicious!
I’m making basically this same recipe for the 4th. We love homemade ice cream. Well, actually we love it too much!! 😁
We love this recipe as well. My husband keeps asking for us to make it and I think we might over the 4th when our kids come home! Thank you for visiting!
I’ve never made home made ice cream before but this does make it look simpler than I thought it was.
This was my first time as well. I was surprised how easy and delicious it is!!!
That sounds delicious! I have only made ice cream a time or two; we got an ice cream attachment for our stand mixer last year and really enjoyed how creamy it was.
Ohhhh…I need to look at that!! Thanks for visiting!
I love manila so much, especially in ice-cream. I think that I can combine vanila with other fruits such as strawberry, mango, cherry, apple…..to make many new flavors
Let’s try it.
How many servings does this recipe make? I am having a cookout with about 20 people and trying to decide if I should double it and if my ice cream maker will even have room to double the ingredients. Thank you!
This recipe should make 8 to 12 servings. Please check your email as I sent you an email as well earlier this morning. Thank you for visiting.
My oldest daughter loves vanilla ice cream. This is perfect for the summer 🙂
I made this and put golden Oreos in it! To.die.for!!!!! Thanks so much!!
Also wondering if you ever include the nutritional facts with your recipes?
I love the Oreos in the ice cream! What a yummy idea. Thank you so much for visiting and leaving a comment. I sent you an email regarding the nutritional information for my recipes. Thank you!
This recipe was a real hit.🍨 I may try to add it to our offerings at the next catering job we do. Where do you get the inspiration for your recipes? I struggle with coming up with unique recipes.🌟
This ice-cream looks soooo yummy!and delicious! Great post 🙂 x
It’s never too late for ice cream. 😉 One of my favorite flavors!! 🍨
Yes! Ice Cream is enjoyed year round in our house! Thanks for visiting!
These all looks so good!! I actually got an ice cream maker for my birthday few years ago, and I ain’t gonna use it until I move out, and this really inspired me! 🙂 can’t wait til I can start making my own ice creams, because I also love it all year around 😀
Thank you sharing your link on the Classy Flamingos Blog Party we’ve enjoyed it. Come back soon. poinsettiadr.com
This looks so amazing🙌🏻 Thanks so much for sharing w/ Wall to Wall DIY Wednesday🤗
Thank you for visiting! Love joining your parties.
Oh my which one first. I think that I would start off with vanilla with lots of toppings for my Grandchildren. While I am making that first batch, I would be searching for lots of Ice Cream flavors and types. I would also want to try and make some gelato,
I would make charcoal ice cream.
First I would make marionberry ice cream sandwiches. Thanks for the chance!
I have never heard of that flavor! Sounds yummy. Thanks for joining!
I would make pistachio ice cream.
Thanks for visiting and joining!
Hi..i am just seems to be lucky to find this blog.You have excellent content here.I have just gone through how to make home made vanilla ice cream,this is just amazing.I will try this today at home.
Thanks for visiting and joining!
I would love to try a chocolate with caramel ribboned through it.
Oh that sounds amazing!
I would make peppermint ice cream which is my favorite!
That’s one of my favorites too! Thanks for joining!
With all the cherries in season now, I would definitely make cherry ice cream with loads of big fat cherries in it with dark chocolate. Yum!
I would be making ice cream for my family!! We really like ice cream, although each of us have a different favorite!! I would like to make Coffee with dark chocolate covered almonds!!
I need to go find dark chocolate covered almonds! They sound amazing! Thanks for joining!
I would love to make some lemon ice cream–sounds so summery and refreshing! I love citrus flavors!
Oh those sound so yummy and refreshing!!! Thanks for joining!
I would make banana ice cream as I remember it so fondly from childhood!
I’ve never had banana ice cream. Sounds delicious. Thank you for entering!
I’ve also never had home made ice cream. Vanilla would be the perfect start, but what I’m craving is a copycat recipe for Baskin-Robbins Pralines & Cream.
That sounds yummy too! Thanks for joining!
I would make some double chocolate ice cream!
That sounds delicious! Thanks for visiting and entering!
Strawberry ice cream!
Yummy!!!
I’d make this ice cream! 😀
Let me know if you ever do! Thanks for visiting!
Rocky. Road icream Or. Cocanut. Mango Yogurt
Those all sound yummy! Thanks for visiting!
Anything with chocolate for my husband. He would love love chocolate rocky road.
That sounds yummy! I want to try a different flavor next too! Thanks Maureen!