50 Homemade Ice Cream Recipes That Blow Away Store-Bought Treats (2024)

We’ve got lots of magic shortcuts for you, from no-churn options to ice cream made in a bag, and now this recipe, ice cream in a mason jar. It really is as easy as it sounds: Simply put heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt into a jar, then shake it!

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This creamy homemade ice cream is made with a buttermilk base and cocoa powder for that iconic chocolatey, tangy flavor. A cream cheese frosting is crucial to red velvet, so we added a swirl of the frosting throughout and crumbled some red velvet cake in too so you get bits in every bite.

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Dairy Queen’s classic ice cream cake is king in the realm of frozen desserts, but our copycat recipe is coming for the crown. Starring that signature ribbon of fudge and chocolate cookie crunchies sandwiched between vanilla and chocolate ice cream, this homemade version of this iconic treat is equally easy to make and delicious to eat.

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This recipe is kind of like our mason jar ice cream, except you don't even need a freezer! Combining ice and salt creates a magical chemical reaction that helps freeze your ice cream mixture. Have fun with your mix-ins too—with a recipe this easy, the world is your ice cream shop.

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What says summer more than strolling down cobblestone streets, a cone of gelato in hand? If you can't make it to Italy, our homemade gelato recipe will at least make you feel like you're living your best life, right at home.

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You don't need a machine to make a homemade batch of ice cream—just a strong arm and some imagination. Here, we folded in Oreos, caramel sauce, and a touch of instant coffee for a caffeinated kick, but this recipe is infinitely adaptable!

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No ice cream maker? No problem! We've included a traditional recipe and a no churn recipe. A churned sorbet will be smoother and creamier than a no-churn one, but the no-churn sorbet is every bit as refreshing.

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Every time we take a bite of homemade ice cream, we realize we've NEVER had anything as good come from a store-bought pint. Seriously: You get to choose what kind of ingredients go into your pint here, starting with good quality dairy and eggs, flavored with nothing but chocolate, vanilla, and sugar.

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Ice cream lovers, get ready to scoop, because this crave-able ice cream isn’t going to last! Plant-based, dairy-free, vegan… no matter what you want to call it, this ice cream is as good as—if not better—than any dairy counterpart, making it a favorite scoop of the summer (and any time of year!).

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Banana ice cream only needs 3 ingredients, is super-easy to make, and is good for us? What more could you want?

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If you love a classic mudslide co*cktail (and we know you do!), this ice cream is for you. Bonus? No need for an ice cream maker, just freeze for a few hours to overnight.

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This cake has everything you love about the Good Humor strawberry shortcake bars, in a homemade ice cream cake that couldn't be easier. Pro tip: To get clean slices of the cake (we went with triangles, but squares work too), run a chef's knife under hot water before cutting each piece.

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An ice cream sundae tucked into a thin spring roll wrapper, this dessert originates from Yilan county, Taiwan. Crushed peanuts and cilantro are a ubiquitous garnish for all kinds of food in Taiwan, and although it might seem unexpected for ice cream toppings, the combo is delicious.

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Classic granita ranks among the most refreshing desserts ever, up there with snow cones and popsicles. Simple to make and easily modified, it’s perfect on its own as a light palate cleanser or dressed up with whipped cream and toppings. This pineapple version is big on tropical flavors, with heavy notes of vanilla and toffee thanks to a splash of rum and a scoop of dark brown sugar.

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Inspired by the trio of flavors common in Italian spumoni, or molded gelato, this ice cream cake demands attention. With 6 WHOLE pints of ice cream, it feeds a big, hungry crew.

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This four-ingredient—heavy cream, sweetened condensed milk, strawberries, and pound cake—no-churn ice cream tastes like love at first sight.

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There's something for everyone here—rich, creamy vanilla ice cream, chocolate cookie bits flecked throughout, AND a warm, fudgy chocolate sauce for pouring over the top too. Mmm.

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It's time for ice cream to take center stage for the holidays, specifically this peppermint ice cream. It's delicious served plain, topped with chocolate sauce, or layered into a Christmas sundae with brownies, whipped cream, and shards of peppermint bark.

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This coconut ice cream is no joke. Not only is it dairy-free but it's completely vegan, too. It's ultra-creamy with a sweet coconut flavor that only gets better topped with toasted coconut. We love it with the real vanilla bean, but you can easily use an additional teaspoon of vanilla extract if you don't have any.

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This homemade version of the classic summer dessert comes together with a no-churn ice cream and a simple two-ingredient chocolate topping. One bite and the thin chocolate layer will shatter in your mouth, revealing the light vanilla ice cream inside. What more could you want on a hot day?

Get the Copycat Klondike Bars recipe.