This No Churn Ice Cream Recipe is a simple homemade ice cream made with sweetened condensed milk, whipped cream, vanilla, dark chocolate, and chopped cherries. You do not need an ice cream machine, and the mixture freezes in a loaf pan until it is firm enough to scoop.

A metal pan of vanilla ice cream topped with chocolate shavings and cherries, with a red-handled ice cream scoop partially embedded, sitting on a marble surface.

What Is No Churn Ice Cream?

No churn ice cream is homemade ice cream made without an ice cream maker. Instead of using a machine to churn the mixture while it freezes, you whip heavy cream and fold it into sweetened condensed milk.

The whipped cream gives the ice cream its light texture, while the sweetened condensed milk adds sweetness and helps keep it smooth after freezing.

This version includes:

Sweetened condensed milk
Vanilla extract
A small sprinkle of salt
Dark chocolate chunks
Chopped cherries
Heavy whipping cream

It is a good base recipe because it can be kept simple or adjusted with different mix-ins.

Chopped dark chocolate pieces and five dark red cherries on a wooden cutting board.

What Makes This No Churn Ice Cream Different?

This no churn ice cream recipe uses chopped dark chocolate and cherries, which gives it a little texture without making it complicated. The chocolate stays firm in the frozen ice cream, while the cherries add small pieces of fruit throughout.

The salt is small, but it helps balance the sweetness from the condensed milk. The vanilla keeps the base familiar and works well with the chocolate and cherries.

A few things help with the final texture:

Chill the mixing bowl before whipping the cream.
Whip the cream until stiff peaks form.
Fold gently so the mixture stays airy.
Freeze for at least 6 hours.
Let the ice cream sit for a minute before scooping.

A glass bowl with sweetened condensed milk, chopped dark chocolate, and cherry pieces being mixed with a metal whisk on a wooden surface.

Can Dogs Have Ice Cream?

Dogs should generally avoid regular ice cream. Most ice cream is made with dairy and sugar, and many dogs do not handle dairy well. It can lead to stomach upset, gas, loose stool, or vomiting.

This recipe also includes chocolate, which should not be given to dogs. Some store-bought ice creams may also contain ingredients that are unsafe for pets, including xylitol.

If you want a frozen treat for a dog, use a dog-safe recipe made for pets. Plain frozen fruit pieces, such as small pieces of banana or strawberry, are usually a safer option, but check with your vet if your dog has health issues or a sensitive stomach.

A thick, creamy white mixture is being poured from a glass bowl into a rectangular aluminum foil pan on a wooden surface.

How To Make Ice Cream In A Bag?

Ice cream in a bag is a simple method where a small bag of ice cream base sits inside a larger bag filled with ice and salt. As you shake the bags, the ice and salt help freeze the base.

The basic idea looks like this:

Add milk or cream, sugar, and vanilla to a small sealed bag.
Fill a larger sealed bag with ice and salt.
Place the small bag inside the large bag.
Shake until the mixture thickens.
Remove the small bag, wipe it off, and eat the ice cream inside.

It is more of a quick kitchen experiment than a replacement for this no churn ice cream recipe. No churn ice cream freezes more evenly and gives you a full loaf pan of homemade ice cream.

A person pours a thick mixture with dark chunks from a glass bowl into a larger bowl of fluffy white whipped cream on a wooden surface.

Does Coffee Ice Cream Have Caffeine?

Yes, coffee ice cream usually has caffeine if it is made with real coffee, espresso, or coffee extract. The amount can vary a lot depending on the brand or recipe.

If you are sensitive to caffeine, check the label on store-bought coffee ice cream or use decaf coffee in homemade versions. Chocolate can also add a small amount of caffeine, so chocolate coffee ice cream may have more than plain coffee ice cream.

This recipe does not use coffee, but it does include dark chocolate. The caffeine amount from the chocolate is usually much lower than a cup of coffee, but it is still worth knowing if you avoid caffeine completely.

A scoop of vanilla ice cream with chocolate chunks and cherries served in a waffle cone, placed on a wooden table.

Storage Instructions

No churn ice cream should be stored tightly covered in the freezer.

Freezer: Store in a covered loaf pan or freezer-safe container for up to 2 weeks.
Best Cover: Press plastic wrap or parchment directly against the surface before adding the lid or foil. This helps reduce ice crystals.
Scooping: Let the ice cream sit at room temperature for 1 to 3 minutes before scooping.
Leftovers: Return the container to the freezer quickly so the ice cream does not melt and refreeze.
Longer Storage: It can last longer than 2 weeks, but the texture is usually best when eaten sooner.

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