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Homemade ice cream is one of those kitchen projects that sounds harder than it actually is.Once you taste the results, you’ll never go back. This list has something for every craving, every season, and every skill level, whether you’ve got an ice cream maker or you’re strictly no churn.
Why Homemade Ice Cream Is Worth the Effort
I know what you’re thinking… why go through the trouble when there’s a perfectly good freezer section at the grocery store?
The truth is that once you’ve tasted homemade ice cream, the store-bought stuff just doesn’t hit the same. When you make it yourself, you’re in complete control of the best flavor, the sweetness, and the quality of every single ingredient. You want real lavender and real honey? Done. You want to fold in an entire sleeve of Oreos? Nobody’s stopping you. That kind of creative freedom is something a carton of vanilla bean simply can’t offer.
Ice Cream Maker vs. No Churn: You Don’t Have to Choose
One of the things I love most about this list is that it isn’t gatekept by equipment. Some of these recipes are made in an ice cream maker and come out with that perfectly churned, soft-serve-adjacent texture that’s genuinely hard to beat. Others are fully no churn. This means all you need is a hand mixer, a loaf pan, and a little patience. Both methods make legitimately delicious ice cream, and I’ve got recipes here for both.
What Makes a Great Homemade Ice Cream Recipe
After making more batches of homemade ice cream than I can count, I’ve learned a few things. The best recipes have a good balance of fat (hello, heavy cream), sweetness that doesn’t tip into cloying, and mix-ins or swirls that actually deliver in every bite — not just the first scoop.
Texture matters too. A properly made no churn base should be creamy and scoopable straight from the freezer, not a solid brick of ice. That’s why I’ve been picky about the recipes that made it onto this list. These are the ones I make on repeat.
How to Use This List
I’ve tried to mix things up here so there’s truly something for everyone. You’ll find seasonal flavors like Roasted Rhubarb and Pumpkin Spice Latte, nostalgic crowd-pleasers like PB&J and Snickers, and a few elevated options that feel a little fancy. Browse the whole list, pick whatever’s calling your name, and don’t be surprised if you end up with three batches going at once.
homemade ice cream recipes
Snickers Ice Cream
This Snickers ice cream recipe is the ultimate no-churn treat. It is ultra-creamy, loaded with chunks of Snickers bars, and finished with a rich fudge swirl. No ice cream maker needed! Just whip, fold, and freeze for a homemade candy-bar ice cream that’s as easy as it is tasty.
Oreo Ice Cream
This easy Oreo ice cream is rich, creamy, and loaded with crunchy-sweet cookie pieces in every bite. You don’t need an ice cream maker either. Just 4 ingredients, a little mixing, and some patience while it freezes. If you’re craving a nostalgic scoop on a cone, this recipe delivers delicious cookies and cream ice cream with minimal effort.
Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream is creamy, a little tangy, and full of fresh strawberries and graham crackers. It’s your favorite cheesecake treat, in ice cream form!
Caramel Apple Ice Cream
Caramel Apple Ice Cream is full of apple pie spices, fresh apples, and creamy dulce de leche for the ultimate fall sweet treat. It’s a no-churn dessert so you don’t have to worry about having an ice cream maker to make it! You’ll want a double scoop every single day.
No Churn Key Lime Pie Ice Cream
Calling all key lime pie addicts… Cool off with a double scoop of No Churn Key Lime Pie Ice Cream this summer! You won’t even need an ice cream maker to create this creamy, dreamy frozen treat, so really you have no excuse not to make it.
Lavender Honey Ice Cream
Lavender Honey Ice Cream is a smooth, rich and creamy dessert that will have your taste buds doing the happy dance all night long. The subtle hint of lavender paired with the sweet honey is a match made in flavor heaven!
Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream is creamy, rich and studded with fresh blueberries and graham crackers. You won’t be able to stop at just one cone to cool off with this summer!
Chocolate Chip Cardamom Ice Cream
Chocolate Chip Cardamom Ice Cream is the one summer frozen treat you have to make this season. With a creamy vanilla ice cream custard base made with vanilla beans, the aromatic ground cardamom and mini chocolate chips elevate a fan favorite to a whole new level of flavor. Serve it up in a waffle cones or bowls, either way it’ll be tough to share!
Honeycomb Ice Cream
Light and creamy Honeycomb Ice Cream is the ULTIMATE ice cream for all you honey lovers out there! Using honeycomb gives an extra burst of honey flavor, making this ice cream downright addictive.
PB&J Ice Cream
PB&J Ice Cream is everything you remember about your favorite childhood sandwich! Creamy no-churn peanut butter ice cream is swirled with grape jelly, making it the ultimate throwback. I’m kicking it old school today with the classic peanut butter and jelly combination! Were you one of those kids who was brought up on PB&J sandwiches? I sure
Pumpkin Spice Latte Ice Cream with Gingersnap Crumble
Pumpkin Spice Latte Ice Cream with Gingersnap Crumble is the new way to be “basic.” Creamy no churn ice cream gets a big hit of pumpkin spice and espresso for a melt-in-your-mouth frozen version of the PSL. Topped with a crunchy zing of ginger cookies, it’s the only fall dessert you need to indulge in this week.
Lemon Raspberry Basil Ice Cream
Lemon Raspberry Basil Ice Cream is a tart, sweet and herbaceous treat that’ll blow your normal ice cream routine out of the water. If you haven’t tried fresh herbs in your desserts, you’re seriously missing out!
White Russian Ice Cream
White Russian Ice Cream is your nightly cocktail and dessert, all in one delicious scoop. Kahlua and vodka just make everything better, don’t they? You can even fold in bites of brownies to give it a chocolate boost.
Roasted Rhubarb Ice Cream
Roasted rhubarb ice cream is the best way to use up fresh rhubarb in the spring and summer! The base mixture is easy to make, then all you do is fold in chopped roasted rhubarb.
Ice Cream Essential Tools
You don’t need a ton of gear to make great homemade ice cream. A few key tools will make the whole process a lot smoother and honestly, more fun.
Ice Cream Maker: If you’re going the churned route, an ice cream maker is obviously the star of the show. There are great options at a range of price points, and many of them come with a freezer bowl insert that you keep in the freezer. Just make sure your bowl is fully frozen before you churn — usually at least 24 hours.
Loaf Pan: The unsung hero of no churn ice cream. A standard 9×5 loaf pan is the perfect size for most no churn recipes. It’s deep enough to hold a generous batch, easy to cover tightly with plastic wrap or foil, and simple to scoop from once everything’s frozen.
Hand or Stand Mixer: Most no churn recipes call for whipping heavy cream to stiff peaks before folding it into the base. A hand mixer gets the job done quickly and easily, and a stand mixer is even more hands-off.
Ice Cream Scoop: This feels obvious, but not all scoops are created equal. A sturdy, spring-release scoop makes dishing out frozen ice cream much easier, especially when it’s come straight from the freezer and is still pretty firm. Look for one with a comfortable grip.
Freezer-Safe Containers with Lids: If you want to store your ice cream in something other than a loaf pan (or if you’re gifting a batch, because yes, homemade ice cream is an excellent gift), a set of freezer-safe containers with tight-fitting lids is worth having on hand.
just One More Thing: Homemade Ice Cream Topping
Okay so you’ve got the ice cream handled, but what are you putting on top? Because a great scoop deserves an equally great topping, and the jarred stuff from the store has nothing on homemade. These Cake n Knife sauces and toppings are easy to make, keep well in the fridge, and will absolutely take your ice cream game to another level.
- Smashed Raspberry Compote: Chunky, jammy, and just tart enough to cut through rich, creamy ice cream. Pairs especially well with chocolate or cheesecake-based flavors.
- Strawberry Coulis: Silky smooth and intensely fruity. Drizzle it over the Lavender Honey or Lemon Raspberry Basil for a fresh, summery situation.
- Cranberry Jam: Don’t sleep on this one outside of the holiday season. That sweet-tart punch is incredible over vanilla or the Honeycomb Ice Cream.
- Orange Curd: Bright, citrusy, and luxurious. This one is a game changer over anything with chocolate.
- Bailey’s Hot Fudge Sauce: This is the one. Rich, boozy, glossy hot fudge that belongs on everything.
about meghan
Meghan Yager is the recipe developer, food photographer, and creative force behind Cake ‘n Knife, where everyday moments are celebrated with bold, flavor-forward recipes. From cozy cocktails to bold appetizers and indulgent desserts, her approachable style brings people together around food worth sharing. Meghan’s work has been featured by Good Housekeeping, Oprah Daily, Today, Woman’s Day, and The Huffington Post. She lives in Denver, where she brings big flavor and a little sass to every bite.
