Homemade Ice Cream: The Ultimate 1 Pint Recipe
Discover how to make creamy homemade ice cream in just minutes with this simple mason jar method. Perfect for small batches with endless flavor possibilities!
**Easy Homemade 1 Pint Mason Jar Ice Cream Recipe**
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar can sub with granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese or mascarpone you can skip this, the ice cream will be slightly less creamy
- 2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- pinch fine sea salt
- 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream or heavy cream
- 2-3 tablespoons other flavoring fruit puree, nut butter, etc. If using a nut butter, can omit cream cheese or sweetened condensed milk but not both. If using nutella skip the sugar so it's not overly sweet.
- 2 tablespoons mix-ins chocolate, cookies, cake, sprinkles, nuts, etc
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients except add-ins in a mason jar and blend with a hand mixer. Alternatively, mix them in a bowl. For best results, blend the base ingredients first (excluding heavy cream) until the cream cheese dissolves completely, then add heavy cream and whip until thickened.
- Whip until the mixture is smooth, thick, and creamy with no lumps, about 5 minutes.
- Add mix-ins if desired.
- Pour into a jar, seal tightly, and freeze until completely solid—at least 4 hours or overnight for best results.
Notes
- Leave 1" space at the top of freezer-safe jars for expansion.
Table of Contents
Why Make Homemade Ice Cream?
Nothing beats homemade ice cream made with fresh ingredients. Unlike store-bought versions, you control exactly what goes in – no artificial flavors or preservatives. This 1 pint recipe is perfect for:
- Small households who don’t need gallons
- Testing new flavor combinations
- Quick dessert cravings
- Fun kitchen projects with kids
Key Ingredients for Perfect Texture
The secret to creamy homemade ice cream lies in these essential ingredients:
Heavy Cream
Provides the rich, smooth base that whips beautifully. Don’t substitute with half-and-half or milk.
Sweetened Condensed Milk
Adds sweetness while preventing ice crystals from forming. The concentrated milk sugars keep your ice cream scoopable.
Cream Cheese
The unexpected star! It adds tanginess and helps stabilize the mixture for perfect consistency.
Simple Step-by-Step Process
Making homemade ice cream couldn’t be easier:
1. Prepare Your Base
Start by beating together the cream cheese, condensed milk, and sugar until smooth. This creates your flavor foundation.
2. Whip the Cream
Add heavy cream and beat until medium peaks form. This incorporates air for that light, creamy texture.
3. Customize Your Flavor
Now’s the fun part – stir in your mix-ins! From fruit to chocolate to cookie pieces, the options are endless.
4. Freeze and Enjoy
Transfer to your jar and freeze for at least 4 hours. The wait is the hardest part!
Creative Flavor Combinations
Once you master the base, try these delicious variations:
Classic Vanilla Bean
Add 1 tsp vanilla extract + seeds from 1 vanilla pod for premium flavor.
Chocolate Peanut Butter
Swirl in 2 tbsp peanut butter + 1/4 cup chocolate chips.
Strawberry Cheesecake
Fold in 1/4 cup strawberry jam + crushed graham crackers.
Mint Chocolate Chip
Add 1/2 tsp peppermint extract + 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips.
For more inspiration, check out our Pinterest board with hundreds of flavor ideas!
Pro Tips for Best Results
Follow these expert tips for perfect homemade ice cream every time:
Chill Your Equipment
Cold bowls and beaters help the cream whip faster and hold its shape better.
Don’t Overmix
Stop beating when you reach medium peaks – overwhipping can make your ice cream grainy.
Layer Your Mix-Ins
For even distribution, add some during mixing and some after pouring into jars.
Freeze Properly
Let it freeze undisturbed for at least 4 hours – opening the freezer too often creates ice crystals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this without an ice cream maker?
Absolutely! This recipe is specifically designed for no-churn homemade ice cream.
How long does it keep in the freezer?
For best texture, enjoy within 2 weeks. After that, it may become icy.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes! Simply use a larger container or multiple jars. The method stays the same.
What if I don’t have mason jars?
Any freezer-safe container with a tight lid works perfectly.
For more delicious dessert recipes, explore our dessert collection.
Ready to Make Your Own Homemade Ice Cream?
Now that you know how easy it is to make homemade ice cream, the possibilities are endless. Whether you prefer classic vanilla or adventurous flavor combinations, this 1 pint recipe lets you create exactly what you crave.
Tag us on social media with your creations – we love seeing your delicious homemade ice cream experiments!
The Magic of Homemade Ice Cream: A Taste of Childhood
Do you remember the first time you tasted truly amazing homemade ice cream? Maybe it was at a county fair, where a vendor churned fresh vanilla bean right before your eyes. Or perhaps it was a special family gathering where grandma brought out her hand-cranked ice cream maker. That first spoonful of creamy perfection probably created a core memory – the kind that makes your mouth water decades later just thinking about it.
This recipe brings that magic into your modern kitchen, no fancy equipment required. With just a mason jar and simple ingredients, you can recreate (and even improve upon) those nostalgic flavors. The beauty of homemade ice cream lies in its purity – no stabilizers, no artificial flavors, just real ingredients transforming into frozen happiness.
A Summer Tradition Reimagined
Every summer, my family had an ice cream ritual. My father would haul out the old wooden ice cream maker, us kids would take turns cranking, and after what felt like hours (but was probably 20 minutes), we’d peek under the lid to reveal our creation. The anticipation made it taste even better.
This recipe captures that same excitement but eliminates the labor. Instead of sweating over a crank, you’ll spend mere minutes preparing your homemade ice cream before letting the freezer work its magic. Yet the payoff remains just as satisfying – maybe more so because you can customize every batch to your exact cravings.
The Science Behind the Creaminess
What makes this homemade ice cream so luxuriously smooth? It’s all about the fat and sugar balance. The heavy cream provides butterfat that prevents large ice crystals from forming. The condensed milk adds concentrated milk sugars that lower the freezing point, keeping your ice cream scoopable straight from the freezer. And the cream cheese? That’s our secret weapon – its proteins help stabilize the emulsion for perfect texture every time.
From Ordinary to Extraordinary: Flavor Adventures
The true joy of homemade ice cream comes when you start playing with flavors. Store-bought pints can’t compete with creations like:
- Honey Lavender: Infuse your cream with culinary lavender buds, then swirl in local honey
- Brown Butter Pecan: Toast pecans in browned butter for nutty depth
- Thai Iced Tea: Steep Thai tea mix in warm cream before chilling
- Roasted Strawberry Basil: Macerate strawberries with basil and balsamic
Each batch becomes a culinary experiment. Found an amazing farmers market peach? Swirl it in. Have leftover holiday candy canes? Crush them for peppermint crunch. The possibilities make homemade ice cream endlessly exciting.
More Than Just Dessert: Unexpected Uses
Homemade ice cream isn’t just for cones and bowls. Try these creative uses:
Ice Cream Sandwiches
Press your still-soft homemade ice cream between cookies, then freeze. The perfect portable treat!
Affogato
Pour hot espresso over a scoop of vanilla homemade ice cream for an elegant dessert.
Ice Cream Floats
Swap soda for craft root beer or artisanal ginger ale with your homemade vanilla.
Boozy Milkshakes
Blend your homemade ice cream with bourbon or Kahlúa for grown-up shakes.
The Gift of Homemade Happiness
Nothing says “I care” like a jar of homemade ice cream. These make wonderful:
- Housewarming gifts (include the recipe card!)
- New parent meals (easy one-handed dessert)
- Teacher appreciation gifts
- Thoughtful “just because” presents
I once brought four jars of homemade ice cream to a friend recovering from surgery – vanilla bean, dark chocolate, salted caramel, and cookies & cream. She later told me it was the best medicine she received.
Seasonal Inspirations Year-Round
Homemade ice cream adapts beautifully to every season:
Spring
Lemon curd swirl, rhubarb compote, or floral honeysuckle
Summer
Fresh peach, blueberry pie, or watermelon sorbet
Fall
Pumpkin spice, apple cider, or maple pecan
Winter
Eggnog, peppermint bark, or gingerbread
Your First Batch Awaits
As you gather your ingredients for this homemade ice cream, imagine the possibilities. That first spoonful of your own creation will spark something special – the pride of crafting something delicious from scratch, the joy of sharing it with loved ones, and maybe the start of a new family tradition.
Will yours be classic vanilla studded with real bean specks? Decadent chocolate with a fudge ripple? Or something entirely your own? The beauty of homemade ice cream is that there are no wrong answers – just sweet, creamy happiness waiting to be discovered in your freezer.
Pro Tip for Ice Cream Perfection
For ultra-creamy homemade ice cream, let your filled jars sit at room temperature for 5 minutes before scooping. This slight softening makes it easier to serve and enhances the flavor release.
Now that you’re armed with all the secrets for amazing homemade ice cream, what will you create first? Share your flavor experiments in the comments below – we’re always looking for new inspiration!
