Make homemade ice cream without machines using two simple tools you already have in your kitchen \u2013 an ice cube tray and a blender! Enjoy your favorite ice cream flavors all season long!<\/p>\n
![\"Homemade](\"https:\/\/dontwastethecrumbs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Ice-Cream-without-Ice-Cream-Maker-Cover.jpg.webp)
\n<\/picture>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nWhen I shared my favorite ice cream recipes, like Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream<\/a> and Homemade Apple Crumble Ice Cream<\/a>, I failed to tell you one tiny little detail:<\/p>\n I have no ice cream maker.<\/p>\n Did you know you can make ice cream without a machine? You can, and it makes the best ice cream!<\/p>\n Now there are lots of different ways to make homemade ice cream without machines, but they all seem pretty cumbersome to me:<\/p>\n With all the different ways to make ice cream without ice cream machines, you\u2019d think that there would be a way that worked AND is easy, right? Well, there is!<\/p>\n I\u2019ve made homemade ice cream for several weeks now using the ice cube and blender method and it\u2019s worked every single time<\/em> without fail. There\u2019s no churning or constant stirring involved, and it only takes a few minutes of hands on time!<\/p>\n This method originated at the Serious Eats Food Lab<\/a>, which has a great write-up on the science of ice cream. Basically, you want there to be a balance of air and ice crystal formation.<\/strong><\/p>\n How do you make this happen? With two kitchen tools you probably already have in your house:<\/p>\n You can make your favorite ice cream recipe no machine needed by following these simple instructions.<\/p>\n Step 1. Start with an ice cream recipe that\u2019s tried and true and highly recommended.<\/strong> I personally love my Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream<\/a> recipe, but feel free to start with another ice cream base recipe.<\/p>\n Step 2. As you\u2019re making your ice cream recipe,<\/strong> instead of adding all the liquid into the recipe as directed, set aside 1 cup.<\/p>\n Note: This liquid should have a high-fat content, like heavy cream or coconut milk<\/a>. If your recipe doesn\u2019t have a liquid with a high-fat content, then set aside what you can.<\/em><\/p>\n Step 3. When the directions say to \u201cpour into machine and follow manufacturer instructions,<\/strong>\u201d pour the ice cream mixture into ice cube trays<\/a> instead. I\u2019ve found that most ice cream recipes fill up 2 ice cube trays, but you may want to have a third tray handy, just in case. You can also use small Tupperware containers if you don\u2019t have a third tray.<\/p>\n Step 4. Put the ice cube trays in the freezer for at least 6 hours, <\/strong>but 8 hours overnight is best.<\/p>\n That was maybe 5 minutes of hands-on time so far, right? Easy!<\/em><\/p>\n Step 5. When the ice cream cubes are frozen, use a butter knife to gently pop them out of the tray and into a blender.<\/strong> (I have a Blendtec like this one<\/a>.) Use the knife to gently scrape out any remaining ice cream from the crevices of the ice cube tray. Work fast, because these little cubes of ice cream will melt faster than the finished ice cream will.<\/p>\n Step 6. Add the reserved 1 cup of liquid to the blender with all the ice cream cubes and blend for 30 seconds, <\/strong>or until the mixture is smooth.<\/p>\n Add your mix-ins now if you want them! See ideas below.<\/em><\/p>\n Step 7. Pour into a container with a lid and freeze until solid, 8-12 hours. Congrats!<\/strong> You just made homemade ice cream without machines!<\/p>\n Note: If you need containers, these reusable ice cream containers<\/a> hold a quart of ice cream each, are BPA-free, and dishwasher safe. Of course, you don\u2019t HAVE to have separate containers for your ice cream, but it certainly helps to have your normal leftover containers available for leftovers!<\/em><\/p>\n I\u2019m a big fan of regular ole\u2019 vanilla ice cream, but you can easily mix it up with fun add-ins!<\/p>\n Fold in your mix-ins after you blend the ice cream, and before you store it in a container to freeze.<\/p>\n Here are a few fun ideas:<\/p>\n Is homemade ice cream healthy? Should I even eat ice cream?<\/p>\n Those are valid questions.<\/p>\n Consider this: even if your priority is to eat real food, or you\u2019re trying to \u201ceat better\u201d, or you\u2019re trying to lose weight, do you want to give up treats?<\/p>\n I sure don\u2019t!<\/p>\n So, I find ways to make my favorite treats, like ice cream, with high-quality, simple ingredients, and this no machine ice cream method with a blender and ice cubes makes that super easy. Real food? Done.<\/p>\n To me, \u201ceating better\u201d means that I am fueling my body while still enjoying what I eat. That means mindfully including treats in my day. Eating better? We\u2019ve got that covered.<\/p>\n And as for losing weight, what if I told you that you could still lose weight even if you have a treat? No food is off limits. We aren\u2019t going to give up eating anything indulgent ever. What we ARE going to do is accurately track those treats, make them fit with our daily macro goals, and fill up the rest of the day with plenty of protein and produce.<\/p>\n Making homemade ice cream without machines means you know exactly what\u2019s going into the batch, so you can accurately track the portion that you eat. So you\u2019ll definitely see me making and enjoying ice cream, especially as the weather gets warmer!<\/p>\n Want to learn more about macros, nutrition goals, and accurately tracking what you eat? Grab my free guide here<\/a> to start achieving your real body goals by eating the foods you love.<\/em><\/p>\n If you need to thicken your homemade ice cream, simply place your mixture in the freezer for 2-4 hours.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n A food processor<\/a> should work fine. Use the same instructions as the blender. Enjoy!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n You certainly can! Plastic containers are better for this homemade ice cream no machine process. Storing in a glass container will result in a longer freeze time before you can dig in!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n My ice cube and blender method is frugal and makes ice cream just fine without a machine, but it doesn\u2019t offer instant gratification like an ice cream maker. If you make homemade ice cream often and want to invest in a machine (or you just want to have ice cream ready in under an hour), Cuisinart seems to have the best reviews.<\/p>\n Sign up for my FREE Fight Inflation Workshop<\/strong>\u00a0and learn simple strategies to save money, even with rising food costs!\n\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n5 WAYS TO MAKE HOMEMADE ICE CREAM WITHOUT MACHINE<\/h2>\n
1. FREEZE & STIR METHOD<\/h2>\n
\n
2. WHIPPED CREAM METHOD<\/h2>\n
\n
3. PUREE & FREEZE METHOD<\/h2>\n
\n
![\"Homemade](\"https:\/\/dontwastethecrumbs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Ice-Cream-without-Ice-Cream-Maker-4.jpg.webp)
4. BAG METHOD<\/h2>\n
\n
5. DOUBLE BOWL METHOD<\/h2>\n
\n
FAIL PROOF METHOD TO MAKE ICE CREAM WITHOUT ICE CREAM MACHINE<\/h2>\n
![\"Homemade](\"https:\/\/dontwastethecrumbs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Ice-Cream-without-Ice-Cream-Maker-3.jpg.webp)
\n
HOW TO MAKE ICE CREAM RECIPE NO MACHINE METHOD<\/h2>\n
![\"Ice](\"https:\/\/dontwastethecrumbs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Ice-Cream-without-Ice-Cream-Maker-1.jpg.webp)
![\"Ice](\"https:\/\/dontwastethecrumbs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Ice-Cream-without-Ice-Cream-Maker-2.jpg.webp)
![\"Pouring](\"https:\/\/dontwastethecrumbs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Ice-Cream-without-Ice-Cream-Maker-5.jpg.webp)
ICE CREAM MIX-INS<\/h2>\n
\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/dontwastethecrumbs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/Homemade-Vanilla-Bean-Ice-Cream-3.jpg.webp)
IS HOMEMADE ICE CREAM WITHOUT MACHINES HEALTHY?<\/h2>\n
HOMEMADE ICE CREAM NO MACHINE METHOD FAQS<\/h2>\n
Why is my homemade ice cream not thickening?<\/h3>\n
Can I make ice cream in a food processor?<\/h3>\n
Can you freeze ice cream in plastic containers?<\/h3>\n
NO ICE CREAM MAKER BUT YOU WANT ONE?<\/h2>\n
\n
MORE YUMMY COLD TREATS<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dontwastethecrumbs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Fight-Inflation-Workshop-Workbook-on-Spiral-e1697746286692.jpg)
Fight Inflation Workshop!<\/h4>\n
WATCH HOW TO MAKE ICE CREAM WITHOUT A MACHINE<\/h2>\n