Easy No-Churn Frozen Dessert (Printable Format)

Creamy, delicious homemade vanilla ice cream made without an ice cream machine. Just 5 basic ingredients and a little patience for a perfect frozen treat!

# What You'll Gather:

→ Ice Cream Base

01 - 1 1/2 cups milk
02 - 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
03 - 2/3 cup sugar
04 - 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
05 - 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

→ Optional Toppings

06 - Fresh fruit
07 - Chocolate sauce
08 - Sprinkles
09 - Nuts

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, and kosher salt. Stir until the sugar completely dissolves and everything is well mixed. This creates your ice cream base!
02 - Pour the mixture into an 8-10 inch square baking pan. The wide, shallow shape helps it freeze more evenly than a deep container would. Spread it out evenly.
03 - Place the pan in the freezer for 90 minutes. This gives the mixture enough time to start freezing around the edges while still being soft enough to whisk.
04 - After 90 minutes, take the pan out and use a whisk to vigorously stir the mixture. Pay special attention to breaking up any frozen chunks and scraping the sides where ice crystals form. This is the key to creamy texture!
05 - Return the pan to the freezer for another 45 minutes, then take it out and repeat the whisking process. Again, be thorough with scraping the sides and breaking up frozen portions.
06 - Keep checking and whisking the mixture every 30 minutes for the next couple of hours. Each time you whisk, you're preventing large ice crystals from forming, which is what gives the ice cream its smooth texture.
07 - After 3-4 hours total freezing time with periodic whisking, your ice cream should reach a soft-serve consistency. You can enjoy it right away for a softer treat, or let it freeze for another hour or two for a firmer texture.
08 - Scoop your homemade creation into bowls or cones, add any toppings you like, and enjoy the fruits of your (minimal) labor! The taste of fresh homemade ice cream is worth the wait.

# Important Tips:

01 - This no-churn method creates surprisingly smooth ice cream without any special equipment.
02 - The whisking steps are crucial - they break up ice crystals and incorporate air, creating that creamy texture.
03 - Using a shallow, wide container helps the ice cream freeze more evenly and makes whisking easier.
04 - This basic vanilla recipe can be customized with mix-ins like chocolate chips, cookie pieces, or fruit swirls.
05 - For the best texture, consume within a week of making. Homemade ice cream tends to get icier the longer it sits in the freezer.

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