There's nothing quite like homemade vanilla ice cream. Rich, creamy and delicious, it's an easy dessert and treat that's worth the time and effort.
And with just five ingredients - milk, cream, sugar, vanilla and salt - it's easy to make at home.
The key to success is to use good-quality ingredients and to let the mixture churn for long enough to reach the perfect consistency.

I have never made homemade ice cream before receiving this ice cream maker. My husband and I did this recipe together and it was so easy...and delicious!
You might be tempted to make ice cream sandwiches using my recipe for Jumbo Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies.
You definitely need to put a scoop of ice cream on top of Homemade Apple Pie, Peach Cobbler or my very favorite Apple Dump Cake.
Table of Contents
- Hamilton Beach Ice Cream Maker Recipes
- 4 Quart Ice Cream Maker Recipes
- Helpful Kitchen Tools
- Main Ingredients Needed:
- Step-by-Step Directions
- Add the Mixture to the Ice Cream Maker
- Chilling Homemade Ice Cream
- Storage Tips
- Favorite Ice Cream Toppings
- Before You Begin!
- How long does homemade ice cream take?
- What can I use instead of rock salt for making ice cream?
- More Recipes to Love
- 📖 Recipe Card
- 💬 Comments
Hamilton Beach Ice Cream Maker Recipes
This post was originally sponsored by Hamilton Beach, it has since been updated and 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.
If you're looking for a different flavor of homemade ice cream, try this fun recipe for Easy Kool Aid Ice Cream. The color alone is great! Or this delicious Marshmallow Ice Cream.

Helpful Kitchen Tools
Hamilton Beach Automatic Ice Cream Maker, 4More InformationMortons Salt Rock 4 Lb Pack OfMore InformationIce Cream Scoop with Trigger Ice CreamMore Information8oz Mini Ice Cream Containers with SiliconeMore Information
Main Ingredients Needed:
Here's a quick overview of the ingredients for this recipe. Find the exact amounts and click the Instacart button to easily add them to your cart – all in the printable recipe card below!
- Granulated Sugar
- Whole Milk
- Heavy Whipping Cream
- Vanilla Extract
- Lemon Juice
- 8 lbs ice
- 3 cups rock salt
Step-by-Step Directions

Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, add the sugar, milk, cream, vanilla extract, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Whisk the ingredients together until well mixed.
Add the Mixture to the Ice Cream Maker

Step 2: Carefully pour the mixture into the ice cream canister. Insert the dasher and secure the lid tightly.

Step 3: Now, follow the instructions in your machine's manual to add the ice and rock salt. Start the churning process and let it work its magic!

Step 4: After about 40 minutes, you'll notice the machine starting to slow down, signaling your delicious ice cream is almost ready.
Chilling Homemade Ice Cream

Step 5: 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.
Storage Tips
Now that you've made the ice cream, let's talk a few different ways to store homemade ice cream:
- Freezer-safe plastic container.
- Specially made ice cream containers.
- Loaf pans - yes a standard 9×5-inch loaf pan you use bake bread in works great! Cover first with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil.

More InformationMore InformationMore InformationMore Information
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.
Drizzle on rich chocolate sauce or fudge, or add a dollop of Homemade Strawberry Sauce for fruity sweetness. Sprinkle over chopped walnuts or pecans for a satisfying crunch. For a burst of fun, add colorful sprinkles. Finish it off with a cloud of Homemade whipped cream for a truly indulgent treat.
Before You Begin!
If you make this recipe, please leave a review and star rating. This helps my business thrive and continue providing FREE recipes.

How long does homemade ice cream take?
Making ice cream at home is not a quick process. But it is truly worth the time it takes to make this delicious recipe.
What can I use instead of rock salt for making ice cream?
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!
More Recipes to Love
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 would taste great with homemade vanilla ice cream spread between the two yummy layers.
📖 Recipe Card

Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream
Equipment
Ingredients
Ingredients for the Ice Cream Base
- 3 cups granulated sugar
- 3 cups whole milk
- 6 cups whipping cream
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoon 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 ½ 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 has been updated since it first appeared in 2018 with new photos, information and a new printable recipe card that includes nutritional information. I hope you enjoy the updates as much as I enjoyed working on them!

















J says
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!
Lori Ferrante says
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!!
Lois says
I need to go find dark chocolate covered almonds! They sound amazing! Thanks for joining!
Christina Almond says
I would love to make some lemon ice cream--sounds so summery and refreshing! I love citrus flavors!
Lois says
Oh those sound so yummy and refreshing!!! Thanks for joining!
Dee says
I would make banana ice cream as I remember it so fondly from childhood!
Lois says
I've never had banana ice cream. Sounds delicious. Thank you for entering!
Ron says
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.
Lois says
That sounds yummy too! Thanks for joining!
Dandi D says
I would make some double chocolate ice cream!
Lois says
That sounds delicious! Thanks for visiting and entering!
Kathy Schultz says
Strawberry ice cream!
Lois says
Yummy!!!
Edye says
I'd make this ice cream! 😀
Lois says
Let me know if you ever do! Thanks for visiting!
Joel says
Rocky. Road icream Or. Cocanut. Mango Yogurt
Lois says
Those all sound yummy! Thanks for visiting!
Maureen says
Anything with chocolate for my husband. He would love love chocolate rocky road.
Lois says
That sounds yummy! I want to try a different flavor next too! Thanks Maureen!