How to Make Homemade Ice Cream Without an Ice Cream Maker
65 comments » 
So, you want to make one of these but you don’t have an ice cream maker?
Without a doubt, the most popular comments and emails that I receive following an ice cream recipe in the summer is, “I wish I had an ice cream maker so I could make this!” Well folks, if you don’t have an ice cream maker, you can make homemade ice cream! Much like you can certainly make homemade bread without a bread maker (people were doing that hundreds of years ago!), you can also create delicious homemade ice cream without an ice cream maker. It takes a bit longer, but the results are every bit as delicious! While the majority of makers are relatively inexpensive now (under $50), I certainly understand how things on the kitchen wish list get assigned a very low priority when there are other things to tend to. So, below you will find a brief tutorial (with links to more in-depth tutorials with photos) on how to make ice cream at home without using an ice cream maker.
There are two methods you can use to manually freeze your cream – either with a handheld mixer (method “A”) or completely manual (method “B”). The tutorials linked to below illustrate these different methods.
Making Ice Cream Without an Ice Cream Maker (Method A)
1. Prepare the custard base as directed in the recipe (including chill time in the refrigerator).
2. Remove custard from the refrigerator and stir with a rubber spatula. Transfer the mixture to a freezer-safe bowl or container (if not already in one). Cover tightly with plastic wrap or an airtight cover. Place in the freezer and allow to freeze for 2 hours.
3. Remove from the freezer and beat with a hand mixer to break up the ice crystals that are beginning to form. Cover and place back in freezer for 2 more hours.
4. Remove from the freezer and beat again with the hand mixer. The ice cream should be thick but too soft to scoop. If it is not thick enough, return it to the freezer for additional freezing time. Beat again. If the ice cream has thickened properly, stir in any add-ins at this point (chocolate chips, cookie chunks, etc.). Do not beat with the hand mixer after the add-ins have been mixed in.
5. Pour into a plastic airtight freezer container, leaving at least ½-inch space at the top. Cover and place the container in the freezer and allow the ice cream to freeze until firm.
Source: How to Make Homemade Ice Cream Without an Ice Cream Maker (RecipeTips.com)
Making Ice Cream Without an Ice Cream Maker (Method B)
1. Prepare the custard base as directed in the recipe (including chill time in the refrigerator).
2. Remove custard from the refrigerator and stir with a rubber spatula. Transfer the mixture to a deep freezer-safe bowl or container and place in the freezer for 45 minutes.
3. As it starts to freezer near the edges, remove from the freezer and stir vigorously with a fork or whisk, being sure to break up any frozen sections. Return it to the freezer.
4. Continue to check every 30 minutes, stirring vigorously as it’s freezing. It is estimated that it will take 2-3 hours for the ice cream to sufficiently frozen and ready.
*Note: David also recommends a hand held mixer
Source: How to Make Ice Cream Without a Machine (David Lebovitz)
Ice Cream Maker Recommendations
All that being said, if you are looking to invest in an ice cream maker (and if you’re planning on making ice cream on even a semi-regular basis, I would definitely encourage you to invest), below are recommendations:
KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker Attachment
Cuisinart Automatic Ice Cream, Frozen Yogurt, and Sorbet Maker
The Perfect Scoop
Ice Cream Recipes Pictured Above:
Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
Classic Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
Pistachio Nut Ice Cream
Chocolate Ice Cream
Tin Roof Ice Cream
Butter Pecan Ice Cream
Espresso Ice Cream
Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Rocky Road Ice Cream
[email_link] | 
Print
This is a great guide. I’ve been thinking of getting an ice cream maker, so thank you for the recommendations too!
Reply
I made David Lebovitz’s easiest chocolate ice cream. It’s got mashed banana in it and tastes just as creamy as churned ice cream! no machine, no custard base, no opening and closing the fridge… check it out here: http://limecake.net/2010/03/03/the-easiest-chocolate-ice-cream/
Reply
Thank you for this post. My family LOVES ice cream, and I’ve been contemplating ordering the Kitchen Aid attachment.
Reply
Thank you so much! I want to try this, but I will probably also get an ice cream maker in the near future.
Reply
ooooo, can’t wait to study this post, I will be using this for sure!! Happy Monday, if there is such a thing!
Reply
All of that ice cream looks amazing! Which one should I make first?
Reply
Simply awesome. I have a huge cuisinart machine that cost me around 300$, but it makes a mean ice cream. The thing is, it has refrigeration, so I do not have to freeze the bowl. That is all good for my part.
Reply
Like many others, I too have been eyeing the KitchenAid ice cream attachment, and had simply resigned myself to waiting until I made that purchase to make ice cream. Thanks for this tutorial on how to make ice cream without a maker!!! I am loving this! Now, all I need to do is go back through your blog and several others and decide which flavor I will make first!!!
Reply
Thank you so much for the ice cream advice! I am a college student living on a tight budget in a tiny, cramped apartment, so an ice cream maker wouldn’t exactly be the most practical purchase for me right now. Ha. It kills me to see so many delicious ice cream recipes and not be able to make any of them. But now I can try one of these methods! I’m so excited!
Reply
I can’t wait to try this! I’m very excited.
Reply
Homemade ice cream is such a treat. And I love that you don’t have to have an ice cream maker to make it. Awesome post Michelle.
Reply
Thanks very much! I have been drooling wistfully over so many ice cream recipes recently. Now I can make them myself sans ice cream maker.
Reply
This is awesome. Thanks so much!!
Reply
Thank you times a million! I’ve always wanted to make my own ice cream. Over the weekend, I even showed my husband the ice cream maker that I wanted. I’ll have to follow your tips and tricks until I get an ice cream maker!
Reply
what a great tip! i’m bookmarking this and making homemade ice cream this weekend!
Reply
Really great tips. I don’t have an ice cream maker yet so “method a” will come in handy for me. Thanks for sharing these helpful tips.
Reply
um, you just blew my mind. i always automatically skipped posts with ice cream because i didn’t have an ice cream maker! that’s about to change
) THANK YOU!
Reply
Thanks for that great summer time ice cream recipe. It is great to know you do need an ice cream maker, looks delicious!
Reply
Maybe one day I’ll be bold and try it!
Reply
Great tips! This is perfect for my friends w/o ice cream makers! Thanks!
Reply
sidney on March 25th, 2012 at 3:32 pm
its a good thing to look at to make home made ice crame
Reply
I just discovered you from a comment you left on the Picky Palate, I’m excited to start following you! Ice cream is one of my favorite desserts… and I have always wanted to try to make my own – I will have to try it now
Reply
I also love the KitchenAid attachment. Also, for a good frozen yogurt, I highly recommend this:
http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/lemon-blueberry-frozen-yogurt
Reply
This is such a great post. Isn’t it funny what we have convinced ourselves of here in the US? Things like the belief that making cream puffs must be hard, or that pasta sauce is hard to make so I should just buy some storebought stuff. Thank you for reminding us that we don’t have to spend a lot of money to be able to treat ourselves to wonderful homemade goodies. When we lived in Japan this is the way I had to make ice cream. We didn’t have enough room in our small apartment from me to bring all of my kitchen appliances, so I had to carefully choose what I knew I couldn’t/didn’t want to live without.
Reply
Ditto on what Fuji Mama said! A great post, and a reminder that we have been cooking for thousands of years…this equipment obsession is a new thing.
Reply
Thanks so much for this post! I have very little space, so an ice cream maker is out of the question. But knowing I can do it without is awesome!
Reply
Thank you so much for posting this!! i have been wanting to try out so many icecream recipes but they all call for an ice cream making (duh!) until i can get an attachment for my kitchen aid, i think ill give one of these methods a try!
Reply
I think my taste buds just fainted… many thanks for sharing! Perfect timing for summer
Love it!
Reply
The ice cream looks delicious. I’m definitely going to try one of the two methods. I’ll let you know how it goes!
Reply
What a very helpful post. Even though I just used my ice cream maker for the first time, it’s nice to have your post as a go-to–just in case! Thanks so much!
Reply
Very informative post, though I must say I am very glad to be the proud owner of an ice cream maker. It’s one of the most well-used appliances in my kitchen.
Reply
Thank you for the tips!
Reply
Great post!! Now I can make all the ice cream I want at home.. if only I was not on a weight loss mission
Reply
This is an excellent post, I will be trying both methods for sure.
Reply
Made home made chocolate icecream with no icecream maker following method B, and it came out AMAZING! The texture is perfect! Can’t wait to try this with other flavors! THANK YOU
Reply
BLESS YOU for posting this! I’ve been thinking that I can’t make it and ice cream is my favorite. This just about makes my day/week/summer. Thank you thank you!!!
Reply
My world was turned upside down the day I realized I can make ice cream sans machines!
Reply
Like a lot of folks, I had no idea this would be so straightforward. We eat a lot of ice cream at our house. Seems like this might be a good way to save. $4 for a scoop in my neighborhood!
Reply
I certainly don’t want to buy another kitchen gadget as my kitchen is full right now! I think the kids would totally enjoy making ice cream, but I thought you could only do it with a machine. I think we will attempt to make some without one this summer! Great tips!
Reply
I will have to try this. Ice Cream is my weakness! Thanks for the instructions.
Reply
Thank you Thank you Thank you!!! Been looking for a tutorial for this for a while! Want to make ice cream but don’t want to buy a maker specifically for it because I wouldn’t use it enough. Thanks again! Great advice!
Reply
Thank you thank you! I’ve been seeing a lot of ice cream recipes and all requires an ice cream maker. This is great, now I can enjoy the homemade ice cream without having a maker!
Reply
very goof tips – sometimes I just don’t feel like getting out the ice cream maker and this is a must try
Reply
What kinds of bowls and containers are freezer safe?
Reply
Will be bookmarking this post. We don’t make ice cream often enough to buy a machine but will be giving this a whirl.
Reply
I don’t have an ice cream maker, I wish I did! But until then, I am very glad you have written this post. Very helpful!
Reply
Great tips! I do have an ice cream maker now (I have the Cuisinart), but I wish I knew these tips before. Ironically, it was only after I got an ice cream maker that I realized I didn’t need one. Ha! Love your recommendations. I’m definitely getting The Perfect Scoop.
Reply
Great post…so excited and will give it a try:)
Reply
I linked this post on my site as well as a Facebook post. Good thinking.
Reply
Awesome tutorial. Bookmarked. Thanks for sharing!
Reply
So hello,
I’ve never made homemade ice cream before due to no machine and when I came upon this the other day I just had to try it.
I did it manually with a wooden spoon lol and going kind of by these guidelines but since I had nothing in the fridge except bacon I made some Brown Butter Candied Bacon Ice Cream. Where I found the recipe online and well it turned out amazing!
Thank you for letting me discover this.
My parents were very proud that their 16 year old daughter is turning into a little Suzie Homemaker.
Reply
OMG! Two options to making ice cream without an ice cream maker. You leave me no excuse for not attempting this now
Reply
@nomnivorous is now following @browneyedbaker
Reply
aaah totally messed up that comment, please delete that one (and this one). i was on an ice cream giveaway rampage.
Reply
I think I much prefer going with Method A, although I wouldn’t mind manual work but hey I got two options to try from now.
Reply
Where is the recipe to make the cream? WTFF??????!
Reply
Michelle on August 18th, 2011 at 10:10 am
Kate, This post is just meant to share technique. You can use these techniques for making ice cream without an ice cream maker for any ice cream recipe on the site: http://www.browneyedbaker.com/category/ice-cream-frozen-dessert-recipes
Reply
thank you so much I always wanted to make ice cream but didn’t have the money for the machine I’m super excited and really badly want to try this. Honey plus ice cream equals paradise.
Reply
There is also another method that uses condensed milk, heavy whipping cream and vanilla extract. Mix all 3 ingredients together place in a freezer safe container and you will have ice cream in 5-7hrs.
Reply
Thank you! Now I am going to make some of your pumpkin ice cream!!!
Reply
hey have u made ice cire
Reply
I was so excited about making homemade ice cream, since I have never attempted it all these years. I finally had the opportunity to buy the kitchen aid attachment, and I make it every other day now! Thanks for all the 411 and tutorials. Everyone tells me I should sell this stuff it is so good. Again, thanks for all of your expertise and ingenuity.
Reply
Would a mason jar work as a container?
Reply
Michelle on September 27th, 2012 at 12:32 pm
Hi Megan, Technically, yes, but mason jars aren’t very large and I’m not sure how you’d be able to scoop ice cream out of it!
Reply
Hello!
I found your post as I was looking for coconut ice cream recipes to include in a blog post about coconut ice cream in Thailand for my blog about living in Bangkok, http://www.crazylittlefamilyadventure.blogspot.com
A lot of my readers live in Peru and Ice Cream makers are not a normal house appliance so I was hoping to include a more classic approach. The way you have explained it is so perfect that Id just like to copy and paste it. Can I? Id also translate it into Spanish. Of course I´ll include a link to http://www.browneyedbaker.com .
Is that alright?
Thank you!
Orana
Reply