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    Home » Recipe Round-ups

    15 Homemade Ice Cream Recipes for Ice Cream Makers

    Published: Aug 14, 2023 · by Renée B. · This post may contain affiliate links.

    6-panel collage of various ice creams, scooped for serving. Pin text reads 15 Best Homemade Ice Cream Recipes for Ice Cream Makers

    When temperatures soar, it's time to make homemade ice cream! Here you'll find some of our favorite churned ice cream recipes, plus tips about how to make ice cream at home, ice cream makers, ice cream bases, and more.

    9-panel collage of various ice creams, scooped for serving.
    Jump to:
    • Ice Cream Bases
    • How Long Does It Take to Make Ice Cream?
    • Choosing an Ice Cream Maker
    • Ice Cream Storage
    • Troubleshooting
    • 15 Homemade Ice Cream Recipes for Ice Cream Makers
    • Old-fashioned Vanilla Ice Cream
    • Cherry Vanilla Ice Cream
    • Fresh Strawberry Ice Cream
    • Caramel Apple Pie Ice Cream
    • Butter Pecan Ice Cream
    • Peach Ice Cream
    • Homemade Dole Whip
    • Baileys Ice Cream
    • Dark Chocolate Ice Cream
    • Peaches & Cream Ice Cream
    • Chocolate Malted Crunch Ice Cream
    • Peanut Butter Ice Cream
    • Scotcheroo Ice Cream
    • Nutella Ice Cream
    • Oreo Cookie Ice Cream

    Ice Cream Bases

    There are basically two types of ice cream bases; those with eggs and those without eggs. All ice cream bases - from gelato to Indian kulfi - fall into one of these two categories.

    Custard Base

    Classic custard-style ice cream base is basically a cooked custard or pudding. Also known as French-style ice cream, it is a simple mixture of egg yolks, cream, and sugar. The eggs act as an emulsifier to make the ice cream rich and creamy, and the results are soft and scoop-able.

    Custard bases require a little more time and thought to make. Any cooked ice cream base should be refrigerated for at least four hours (or better yet, overnight) to allow it to cool completely.

    Egg-Free Base

    Ice creams made from an egg-free base usually taste lighter, and may freeze more solidly than custard-based ice creams. For example, Philadelphia-style ice cream is an eggless ice cream consisting mainly of cream, milk, and sugar. 

    Also known as American-style ice cream, Philadelphia-style ice cream is quicker and easier to prepare than French-style ice cream because it doesn't require making a custard. Compared to custard-based ice cream, Philadelphia ice cream is generally lighter and airier, with a more milky mouth-feel.

    More Examples of Egg-free Ice Creams:

    • Gelato
    • Frozen Yogurt
    • Sorbet
    • Kulfi
    • Snow Cream
    • Soft Serve
    • Mochi
    • Sherbert

    How Long Does It Take to Make Ice Cream?

    Minimally, homemade ice cream takes about an hour to make and freeze, using an egg-free base and freezing it to soft serve consistency. It takes a minimum of three hours to make and freeze custard-style ice cream.

    + Ice cream base: Takes 15 minutes to mix

    • Egg-free ice cream base: Ready to go into the freezer immediately.
    • Custard-style ice cream base: Plus 15 minutes to cook, and 2-4 hours chilling time.

    + Churn: 20-50 minutes

    • Bucket-style Ice Cream Maker: Takes anywhere from 25-50 minutes to freeze the ice cream base, depending on the ice cream freezer capacity, ambient temperature, and how much ice cream you are making.
    • Countertop Ice Cream Machine: Takes around 20-45 minutes to churn, depending on ice cream freezer capacity and specific machine model.
      • Most countertop machines require you to pre-freeze the bowl, which can take between  four and twelve hours. We keep ours in the freezer all the time, so we can make ice cream whenever the mood strikes!

    + Serve: Ready to serve (soft serve) or 3-4 hours (hard set)

    • Soft serve: Ice cream can be served immediately.
    • Hard set: For a harder scoopable ice cream, place in the freezer for 4 hours. Take out and place on the counter for 10 minutes to soften for serving.

    Choosing an Ice Cream Maker

    There are two basic styles of household ice cream makers: old-fashioned bucket-style and countertop freezer bowl-style. When choosing which type of ice cream maker you need, consider capacity first. What is maximum amount of ice cream you will need to make at one time? The answer will determine which style best fits your needs.

    Bucket-style ice cream makers usually have a large capacity, and can make 1 - 1½ gallons of ice cream at one time. Countertop freezer bowl models make as little as half a quart, and up to 2 quarts.

    Once you've decided between bucket and countertop models, you can refine your choices. Or, you can be like us; we are a two-machine household. We have a bucket-style machine for large family gatherings, and a smaller countertop machine for times when we don't need as much ice cream at one time.

    Bucket-style Ice Cream Makers (Hand Crank & Electric Churn)

    Our old-fashioned crank ice cream maker, a survivor from my childhood, is perfect in the summertime when ice cream-making is a family event and we need large quantities. It is also excellent for making memories.

    Toddler (viewed from the back) sitting on top of old ice cream churn, turning handle.

    There are times, however, when you don't want to spend half an hour or more on the back porch cranking ice cream. Most bucket ice cream machines sold today come with an electric churn as standard equipment; hand-churns are sometimes included as a novelty addition.

    Bucket-style ice cream makers require ice and rock salt to work. The amount of ice and salt you use in a bucket ice cream maker will depend on the size of your freezer and the ambient temperature, among other things. We usually layer about 4-5 inches of ice and then a large handful rock salt, and repeat until the freezer bucket is nearly full.

    • Electric Churn: Simply plug the ice cream maker in and let it do its job.
    • Hand-crank: Let your smallest, youngest helpers start the cranking first, and work up to the older ones as the ice cream begins to get harder to crank.

    You may need to add more ice as you proceed. Keep the ice level just below the top of the canister.

    Electric churns will usually have an auto-stop; however, you can also "hear" the ice cream set as the machine works harder to churn it. If you are churning manually, check when the mixing becomes very difficult.

    To check the ice cream, brush all the ice and salt off the lid and carefully remove it. The mixture inside should have the same consistency as thick soft-serve ice cream. If it is too soft, replace the lid and crank it a little longer.

    When the ice cream is done, remove the dasher. (We always let the kids share the "Christmas tree".)

    Ice cream dasher with frozen ice cream on a large plate.

    Countertop Ice Cream Machines

    Countertop ice cream machines are one of the things our grandparents dreamed about when they were kids. With just the touch of a button, you can have ice cream churned and ready to eat in under 30 minutes!

    Ice cream machines usually have settings for ice cream, gelato, and sorbet at minimum, with an auto shut-off and other programmable features. They are easy to clean, and take relatively little space on the pantry shelf when not in use. (We absolutely love our Cuisinart 2-quart ice cream machine!)

    If you have a KitchenAid Mixer, you're in luck, because they offer a 2-quart Ice Cream Maker attachment that includes a freeze bowl, dasher, and drive assembly. Powered by your stand mixer, all you need to do is pour in the ice cream base into the freezer bowl, and turn it on and wait for about 25 minutes.

    Ice Cream Storage

    Homemade ice cream doesn't last as long as store-bought ice cream because it lacks all the additives and preservatives present in most commercial ice creams. Most homemade ice cream is good for about two weeks when tightly covered and stored the freezer.

    TIP: To help prevent ice crystals, press a sheet of plastic wrap, parchment, or waxed paper directly on the surface before putting the lid on.

    Troubleshooting

    Homemade ice cream is usually simple and easy to make, but occasionally, you may have a failed batch. There are many reasons why homemade ice cream fails; most often it is because the recipe is not well balanced and has too much water in the mixture. This can come from substituting lower-fat ingredients or adding too many water-heavy flavorings (fruit, berries, juice, etc.). (For troubleshooting ice cream recipes, check this guide for tips.)

    A second common reason for ice cream not freezing properly is related to temperature; either the freezer bowl was not in the freezer long enough, and/or the ice cream base was not chilled enough before it was poured into the machine. The good news is, in this case you can usually save poorly frozen ice cream by refreezing it. Keep in mind that it is imperative that both the freezer bowl and the base be thoroughly chilled before beginning the churning process.

    8-panel collage of various ice creams, scooped for serving.

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    15 Homemade Ice Cream Recipes for Ice Cream Makers

    Whether you use an old-school bucket ice cream maker or a fancy digital countertop model, you'll love all these cool, creamy churned ice cream recipes – including traditional favorites and fun new flavors.

    Old-fashioned Vanilla Ice Cream

    Smooth, rich, and fabulously creamy, this old-fashioned custard-style Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream is simply the best ever! (4-generation heirloom recipe)

    Photo Credit: thesageapron.com

    Cherry Vanilla Ice Cream

    Creamy frozen vanilla bean custard swirled fresh cherry compote - the perfect cherry lovers treat for a hot summer day! Works great with red bing cherries, dark black cherries or even yellow Rainer cherries!

    Fresh Strawberry Ice Cream

    There are few things as refreshing as a scoop of Fresh Strawberry Ice Cream on a hot summer day, and this is the best fresh strawberry ice cream you'll ever make!

    Photo Credit: homebodyeats.com

    Caramel Apple Pie Ice Cream

    Perfect for summer right into fall, this apple ice cream is a real crowd pleaser! Chai spices, granny smith apples, and a rich caramel sauce are cooked and blended up in the vanilla custard base ice cream, resulting in a smooth, creamy ice cream.

    Photo Credit: organicallyaddison.com

    Butter Pecan Ice Cream

    This silky smooth butter pecan ice cream is creamy, rich, and nutty. buttery sweet! Great for birthdays, cakes, brownies, summer parties, and more.

    Photo Credit: houseofnasheats.com

    Peach Ice Cream

    Enjoy the simple pleasure of peaches and cream with this fresh summertime favorite!

    Homemade Dole Whip

    Dole Whip is a refreshingly frosty Disney-inspired pineapple soft serve ice cream, but there's no need to travel to enjoy a refreshing cup. Make it at home with just four simple ingredients!

    Photo Credit: burrataandbubbles.com

    Baileys Ice Cream

    With an ultra creamy, velvety texture and loads of sweet Baileys flavor, every bite of this luscious Irish cream ice cream is pure decadence.

    Photo Credit: www.christinascucina.com

    Dark Chocolate Ice Cream

    This luscious dark chocolate custard ice cream is smooth, creamy, and decadently delicious!

    Photo Credit: theshortordercook.com

    Peaches & Cream Ice Cream

    Fresh peaches and vanilla combine for a dreamy combo in this homemade Peaches & Cream Ice Cream recipe. This ultimate summer dessert is easy to make; cool, creamy, and delicious.

    Photo Credit: brokenovenbaking.com

    Chocolate Malted Crunch Ice Cream

    This delicious, creamy chocolate ice cream base is mixed with crushed malt balls for rich flavor and perfect crunch.

    Photo Credit: sugarpursuit.com

    Peanut Butter Ice Cream

    If you're a peanut butter lover, this Peanut Butter Ice Cream is a dream come true.

    Photo Credit: www.girlversusdough.com

    Scotcheroo Ice Cream

    Peanut butter, Butterscotch, rice crispies, and peanuts combine in creamy vanilla base to create this magical, glorious, homemade Scotcheroo Ice Cream. 

    Photo Credit: jenaroundtheworld.com

    Nutella Ice Cream

    Take a basic custard ice cream base and add a jar of Nutella for an amazing and delicious ice cream.

    Photo Credit: homebodyeats.com

    Oreo Cookie Ice Cream

    Rich vanilla custard ice cream is infused with crunchy, crushed Oreo cookies for the ultimate cookies and cream experience.

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    About Renée B.

    Renée is self-taught home chef with a penchant for creating healthy(ish) comfort food recipes, and adapting vintage recipes for the 21st century cook. In her spare time, she writes unfinished novels and songs about cowboys.

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