How to Make Ice Cream without an Ice Cream Machine

Method #1: Two Ingredient Ice Cream

This method is its own recipe. Simply whip 2 cups of cream, by hand or with an electric mixer, until stiff peaks form. Slowly drizzle in a chilled can of sweetened condensed milk. Add your desired flavorings or mix-ins. Remove to an airtight container and freeze. It’s that simple!!

No Churn Ice Cream Flavor ideas:

Note: some mix-ins may increase the amount of time the ice cream needs to freeze before serving. Also be sure to check out all my ice cream recipes for more inspiration and guidance!

Cheesecake

Add 8 ounces softened cream cheese to the 2 ingredient method below. Use an electric mixer to beat with the condensed milk and vanilla before folding into the whipped cream as the recipe instructs.

Mint chip

1 teaspoon peppermint extract + 1 cup mini chocolate chips + green food coloring

Peanut Butter/ Nutella / Cookie Butter

1/2 cup to 1 cup spread

Cinnamon Roll

3 tablespoons butter, melted + 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Caramel or Dulce de Leche

1/2 – 1 cup caramel drizzled over the almost frozen mixture, stir to break up the ribbon a bit. Add a teaspoon of sea salt and/or a few tablespoons of bourbon for a gourmet touch! Chocolate

3/4 cup cocoa powder (sifted) + 4 ounces melted cooled chocolate

Rocky Road

1 cup chocolate syrup + 1 cup mini marshmallows + 1 cup toasted almonds swirled into ice cream

S’mores

10 graham crackers, crushed + 1 Hershey’s bar, chopped + 1/2 cup marshmallow fluff

Mocha

1/2 cup cocoa powder (sifted) + 2 tablespoons instant espresso powder

Cookies & Cream

15 Oreo cookies, coarsely chopped (about 1/2 cup)

Blueberry swirl

2 cups fresh blueberries + 3 tablespoons sugar + 2 tablespoons lemon juice cooked in a small saucepan over medium-high heat until burst. Chill before swirling into ice cream.

Method #2: Plastic Bag Method

Place the ice cream mixture in a quart size resealable bag, squeezing out as much air as possible and sealing tightly. Place this bag inside another quart bag, again squeezing out as much air as possible and sealing tightly. Put the bags inside a gallon size resealable bag and fill with about 4 cups crushed ice then sprinkle with 4 tablespoons coarse salt. The salt lowers the freezing point of the ice and creates an extra cold environment that absorbs heat, causing the ice cream base to freeze.

Squeeze out all the air and seal tightly. Wrap the bag in a towel or put gloves on before shaking vigorously and massaging the bag, making sure the ice is surrounding the ice cream mixture constantly. Shake for about 5 to 8 minutes, or until the ice cream is frozen. The more vigorously you shake, the smoother your ice cream will be.

Method #3: Freeze & Stir Method

Place the unchurned ice cream recipe mixture in a deep stainless steel baking dish and freeze for 45 minutes. As it begins to freeze near the edges, remove it from the freezer and stir vigorously with a spatula. Return to the freezer.

Continue to check the mixture every 30 minutes, stirring vigorously as it’s freezing. If you have a hand held mixer or blender, use one of those. Repeat this process for 2 to 3 hours, or until frozen.

Method #4: Food Processor or Blender Method (best method!)

This is a new method that’s been added since this article and video were created in 2015.

Make any ice cream base according to the recipe directions. Instead of churning in an ice cream maker, pour into a ziptop bag, squeeze out all air, and seal. Freeze, lying flat, until solid.

Remove from freezer and break into chunks small enough to fit into the bowl of your food processor or a high-powered blender. Pulse until completely smooth. If adding mix-ins, either fold them in or pulse until desired consistency is reached, then pour into an airtight container. Cover and freeze until ready to serve.