Woman using a Stand Mixer attachment

stand mixer

How to Make Vanilla Ice Cream

Homemade vanilla ice cream is simple and easy-to-make. You can impress your family or guests with a classic dessert that rivals anything in the frozen aisle. Made-from-scratch ice cream is the perfect complement to baked goods, layers with toppings, or simply served on its own. Read on to discover how to make vanilla ice cream at home.

TIPS FOR MAKING HOMEMADE VANILLA ICE CREAM

Make homemade vanilla ice cream with this recipe for velvety, creamy ice cream. Homemade ice cream can be made in a number of different ways, but the majority require only a few simple ingredients and patience to create an irresistible dessert.

Using an ice cream stand mixer, a hand mixer, or even a blender, you can whip up the base, or you can make a traditional custard on the cooktop and then transfer it easily to an ice cream maker or the bowl of your ice cream stand mixer. For passionate dessert lovers, the wait might be the hardest part of the whole process. You can find the ingredients you need for this easy Vanilla Ice Cream recipe below.

  • Heavy cream
  • Whole milk
  • Pure maple syrup
  • Vanilla bean
  • Egg yolks
  • Pure vanilla extract
Image of eggs, tea cups, and ice cream mixture made from heavy cream Image of eggs, tea cups, and ice cream mixture made from heavy cream

STEP 1: FORM THE CUSTOM BASE

An ice cream mixture being poured into a sauce pan An ice cream mixture being poured into a sauce pan

In a large saucepan, combine whipping cream, milk, egg yolks, and sugar. Mixture should be slightly thickened within eight to ten minutes of stirring over medium heat. Then add vanilla and remove it from the heat.

STEP 2: LET THE MIXTURE COOL AND CHILL

In a large saucepan, combine whipping cream, milk, egg yolks, and sugar. Mixture should be slightly thickened within eight to ten minutes of stirring over medium heat. Then add vanilla and remove it from the heat.

STEP 3: CHURN INTO ICE CREAM

A cream mixture is poured into a KitchenAid Stand Mixer A cream mixture is poured into a KitchenAid Stand Mixer

The mixture can be processed in an ice cream maker or in a KitchenAid® Ice Cream Maker Attachment for a stand mixer according to manufacturer's instructions.

STEP 4: FREEZE

Vanilla ice cream with a metal spoon Vanilla ice cream with a metal spoon

After several hours of freezing, it will firm up and will be scoopable. You can now serve and enjoy!

OTHER WAYS TO MAKE VANILLA ICE CREAM AT HOME

It is possible to make homemade ice cream in a variety of ways, but most recipes include milk, cream, and eggs. Added sweetness and flavour are provided by sugar and vanilla. Learn how to make vanilla ice cream by following the instructions below.

HOW DO I MAKE ICE CREAM WITHOUT CREAM?

If you don't want to use cream in your vanilla ice cream maker recipe, you can skip it completely. Condensed milk and evaporated milk can be substituted for cream in recipes. It is also possible to make dairy-free vanilla ice cream using coconut milk. If you're using substitutes, it's a good idea to choose ingredients that have a higher fat content.

DO YOU NEED EGGS TO MAKE ICE CREAM?

No. While eggs are helpful in stabilizing and making ice cream creamy, it is not a requirement. Adding body to a recipe can be achieved using thickeners such as cornstarch or cream cheese. Philadelphia-style ice cream, also known as American-style, does not use eggs and instead emphasizes cream.

IS A STAND MIXER GOOD FOR MAKING VANILLA ICE CREAM?

Yes. Using a stand mixer, you can make vanilla ice cream at home in several ways. KitchenAid® Ice Cream Maker attachments are specially designed for this task. The ice cream mixture can also be mixed and aerated using a stand mixer alone, then frozen for 6-8 hours.

A stand mixer will make your ice cream smooth and decadent like one from a local creamery. You can also make ice cream without an ice cream maker attachment by whipping cream until stiff peaks form, then adding your other ingredients and freezing overnight in a freezer-safe container. Discover even more recipe ideas with our collection of KitchenAid® Mixer Uses. If you don't already have a stand mixer, explore a variety of colourful KitchenAid® Stand Mixers to suit your needs.

GUIDE: HOW TO MAKE STAND MIXER ICE CREAM USING A KITCHENAID® STAND MIXER ATTACHMENT

Using a stand mixer to make ice cream is so easy, you may wonder why you haven't done it sooner. Using the method outlined below, you won't have to worry about churning, so you can concentrate on toppings and additions. Although vanilla ice cream recipes can hold their own, adding flavors like bourbon black cherry swirls, salted caramel, or dark chocolate chunks can express your culinary flair. 

During mixing, the double-walled freeze bowl of the KitchenAid® Ice Cream Maker attachment ensures even freezing. An ice cream stand mixer attachment can easily replace separate appliances for making ice cream. Also, it comes with a multifunctional stand mixer that you can use for a variety of cooking needs. Here are the steps for making ice cream with your stand mixer's ice cream attachment.

STEP 1

Before using your ice cream bowl, let it freeze for at least 15–24 hours.

STEP 2

The spring-loaded assembly drive piece should first be installed on your stand mixer. There are two "A" and "B" marks on the assembly drive piece specific to your stand mixer model. For a tilt-head stand mixer, slide in side “A” onto your mixing arm. For a bowl-lift stand mixer, use the “B” side. You may also need to use the freeze bowl ring adaptor if your model requires it.

STEP 3

Insert the dasher piece into the center of the attachment bowl of your ice cream maker. The purpose of this device is to churn the ingredients.

STEP 4

Put the bowl in the mixer. In a bowl-lift model, the bowl will be lifted to meet the mixing arm by clicking into place on the arms. When using a tilt-head stand mixer, tilt up the head and insert the bowl by gently turning the base and locking it into place. Bring the head back down to meet the bowl.

Man prepares a KitchenAid Stand Mixer to make ice cream Man prepares a KitchenAid Stand Mixer to make ice cream

STEP 5

Mix your ice cream mixture on the Slow setting before adding it to your mixer. Adding your ice cream base should not be done until the dasher is running.

STEP 6

With the dasher already moving, gently pour in your prepared ice cream base.

A cream mixture is poured into a KitchenAid stand mixer A cream mixture is poured into a KitchenAid stand mixer

STEP 7

Mix and churn the mixture for 20–30 minutes until you have a soft serve ice cream consistency you can serve right away.

Soft serve ice cream is scooped into a bowl using a wooden spoon Soft serve ice cream is scooped into a bowl using a wooden spoon

STEP 8

You will need to freeze the ice cream for another 3-4 hours to get a stiff scoop.

An image of three scoops of vanilla ice cream with a mint leaf An image of three scoops of vanilla ice cream with a mint leaf

STEP 9

When cleaning the bowl and accessories, let them thaw first before using soap and water to hand wash at the sink.

ENJOY VANILLA ICE CREAM ANYTIME

Now that you know how to make vanilla ice cream, there are plenty of creative ice cream recipes to inspire you. A KitchenAid® stand mixer can easily whip up homemade ice cream throughout the year, whether you're enjoying frozen treats in the summer or preparing pies in the fall.

By using your workhorse stand mixer, you don't have to store another large kitchen appliance like an ice cream maker. As you start to make ice cream more frequently, consider the KitchenAid® Ice Cream Maker Attachment and shop for other useful attachments like the Vegetable Sheet Cutter, Spiralizer, Food Grinder, Grain Mill, and more.