Easy Homemade Ice Cream Recipes for Kids

Vanilla Ice Cream

This classic vanilla ice cream recipe makes a creamy homemade dessert using eggs, milk, cream, sugar, and vanilla.

Ingredients

• 3 eggs
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1 3/4 cups milk
• 1 3/4 cups cream
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions

1. Stir eggs, sugar, and milk together in a saucepan.
2. Cook on low heat, stirring constantly, for 8–10 minutes until mixture begins to thicken.
3. Remove from heat and allow mixture to cool.
4. In a separate bowl, stir cream and vanilla together.
5. Pour cream mixture into the cooled milk mixture.
6. Chill several hours.
7. Run mixture through an ice cream machine according to machine directions.
8. Store ice cream in a plastic container in the freezer.

Chocolate Ice Cream

Turn the vanilla ice cream recipe into chocolate ice cream by adding cocoa powder to the milk mixture.

Ingredients

• Vanilla ice cream recipe ingredients above
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder

Directions

1. Stir cocoa powder into the sugar and milk mixture before cooking.
2. Cook and chill the mixture following the vanilla ice cream recipe directions.
3. Freeze in an ice cream machine according to machine directions.

Strawberry Ice Cream

Fresh strawberries add color and flavor to this homemade strawberry ice cream recipe.

Ingredients

• 1 quart fresh strawberries
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups cream
• 1 cup milk
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Directions

1. Wash strawberries and remove stems.
2. Stir 1/2 cup sugar and strawberries together. Set aside while preparing the cream mixture.
3. In a saucepan, stir together eggs, cream, milk, 1/4 cup sugar, and vanilla.
4. Cook on low heat, stirring constantly, about 6–8 minutes until mixture begins to thicken.
5. Add strawberries to cream mixture and stir together.
6. Chill in the refrigerator several hours.
7. Run mixture through an ice cream machine according to machine directions.

Peppermint Pink Ice Cream

This peppermint ice cream has a fun pink color and crushed peppermint candy flavor.

Ingredients

• 2 cups whipping cream
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
• Red food coloring
• About 1/2 cup crushed peppermint sticks or peppermint candies

Directions

1. Combine whipping cream, sugar, vanilla, peppermint extract, food coloring, and crushed peppermint candies.
2. Pour mixture into an ice cream machine and freeze according to machine directions.
3. You can also use this recipe with the roll in a can method.

Super Easy 3-Ingredient Ice Cream

This simple ice cream recipe uses sweetened condensed milk, cream, and vanilla. Add cocoa powder for chocolate flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 can sweetened condensed milk, 14 ounces
• 4 cups half-and-half or light cream
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 2 tablespoons cocoa, optional for chocolate flavor

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients together in a bowl.
2. Pour mixture into an ice cream machine.
3. Freeze according to machine directions.

Banana Ice Cream

This easy banana ice cream is blended in a food processor or blender and frozen until firm.

Ingredients

• 4 bananas, sliced
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 cup milk

Directions

1. Add bananas, heavy cream, and milk to a food processor or blender.
2. Blend until smooth.
3. Pour into a plastic container.
4. Freeze until firm.

Ice Cream in a Coffee Can

This old-fashioned ice cream method turns a simple science activity into a homemade frozen dessert.

Ingredients

• 1 cup whipping cream
• 1 cup half-and-half
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• Ice
• Rock salt

Directions

1. Pour whipping cream, half-and-half, sugar, and vanilla into a clean coffee can with a tight lid.
2. Place the small can inside a larger can.
3. Pack ice and rock salt around the smaller can.
4. Seal the larger can tightly.
5. Roll the can back and forth for about 20–30 minutes until the ice cream thickens.
6. Open carefully and stir before serving.

Easy Ice Cream in a Bag

This simple homemade ice cream recipe freezes inside a small bag placed into a larger bag filled with ice and salt. Kids love shaking the bag and watching the mixture turn into creamy ice cream.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 cup milk or half-and-half
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
• 6 tablespoons rock salt
• Ice cubes

Flavor Ideas

• Chocolate: Add 1 tablespoon chocolate syrup or cocoa powder.
• Strawberry: Stir in 1 tablespoon mashed strawberries or strawberry syrup.
• Cookies & Cream: Add crushed chocolate sandwich cookies after freezing.
• Mint Chocolate Chip: Add a drop of mint extract and mini chocolate chips.
• Birthday Cake: Stir in colorful sprinkles and a tiny splash of cake batter flavoring.
• Peanut Butter: Mix in 1 tablespoon creamy peanut butter.
• Cinnamon Vanilla: Add a dash of cinnamon for a churro-style flavor.
• Fruit Smoothie: Blend in mashed bananas, blueberries, or raspberries.

Directions

1. Combine sugar, milk, and vanilla in a small zip-top bag and seal tightly.
2. Fill a larger zip-top bag halfway with ice cubes.
3. Add rock salt to the ice.
4. Place the small bag inside the large bag and seal tightly.
5. Shake for about 5–10 minutes until mixture thickens into ice cream.
6. Remove the small bag, wipe off salt water, and serve.

Ice Cream S’mores

These frozen ice cream s’mores are an easy no-bake twist on classic campfire treats. Kids can customize them with different ice cream flavors, cookies, and toppings for summer parties or movie nights.

Ingredients

• 8 whole graham crackers, broken into squares
• 1 cup chocolate ice cream, slightly softened
• 1/3 cup marshmallow crème
• Optional: mini chocolate chips, chocolate syrup, crushed cookies, or sprinkles

Directions

1. Break graham crackers in half to create squares.
2. Spread a spoonful of marshmallow crème onto one graham cracker square.
3. Add a scoop of softened chocolate ice cream.
4. Top with mini chocolate chips or crushed cookies if desired.
5. Place another graham cracker square on top and gently press together.
6. Wrap each sandwich in plastic wrap or wax paper.
7. Freeze for at least 2 to 3 hours or until firm.
8. Serve frozen.

Flavor Ideas: Try cookies and cream, mint chocolate chip, strawberry, peanut butter, or vanilla ice cream.

Ice Cream Balls

These easy ice cream balls are fun frozen treats kids can roll in colorful coatings like sprinkles, cookies, coconut, or candies.

Ingredients

• 1 pint ice cream, flavor of choice
• 1/2 cup crushed cookies, candies, nuts, coconut, or sprinkles

Directions

1. Place crushed cookies, candies, nuts, coconut, or sprinkles into shallow bowls.
2. Line a cookie sheet or plate with wax paper.
3. Allow ice cream to soften slightly for easier scooping.
4. Scoop small portions and quickly roll into balls using clean hands or gloves.
5. Roll each ice cream ball in desired toppings until coated.
6. Place onto wax paper and freeze until firm, about 1 to 2 hours.
7. Serve immediately after removing from freezer.

Try coating the ice cream balls in crushed Oreos, mini chocolate chips, graham cracker crumbs, toasted coconut, or colorful sprinkles.

Peanut Butter Ice Cream Pie

This layered ice cream pie uses vanilla ice cream, chocolate ice cream, peanut butter sauce, and a cookie or graham cracker crust.

Ingredients

• 1 chocolate cookie crust or graham cracker crust
• Vanilla ice cream, softened
• Chocolate ice cream, softened
• Peanut butter sauce
• Chopped peanuts
• Chocolate sauce, optional

Directions

1. Prepare crust and fill with softened vanilla ice cream.
2. Drizzle peanut butter sauce over the vanilla ice cream.
3. Freeze for 1 hour or until firm.
4. Spread a layer of softened chocolate ice cream over the top.
5. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts.
6. Drizzle with chocolate sauce if desired.
7. Freeze several hours before slicing and serving.

Pink Lemonade Ice Cream Pie

This frozen lemonade pie is a cool summer dessert made with vanilla ice cream, pink lemonade, whipped cream, and a graham cracker crust.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup prepared pink lemonade, or plain lemonade if desired
• 2 cups vanilla ice cream
• 8 ounces whipped topping or whipped cream
• 1 graham cracker crust
• Sliced strawberries, optional

Directions

1. Stir vanilla ice cream and pink lemonade together.
2. Add whipped cream and stir until smooth.
3. Pour mixture into graham cracker crust.
4. Freeze until firm.
5. Top with fresh sliced strawberries before serving, if desired.

Easy Hot Fudge Sauce

This rich chocolate sauce works well on sundaes, brownies, ice cream pies, and frozen desserts.

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions

1. Combine sugar, cocoa powder, and milk in a saucepan.
2. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture begins to boil.
3. Boil about 2 minutes.
4. Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla.
5. Cool slightly before serving over ice cream.

Peanut Butter Sauce

Warm peanut butter sauce makes an easy topping for sundaes, brownies, banana desserts, and ice cream pies.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup corn syrup
• 1/4 cup cream

Directions

1. Combine peanut butter, corn syrup, and cream in a saucepan.
2. Cook over low heat until smooth.
3. Serve warm over ice cream.

Fruit Sundae Sauce

Fruit toppings add fresh flavor and bright color to frozen desserts.

Ingredients

• 2 cups sliced strawberries or mixed berries
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions

1. Combine berries, sugar, and lemon juice in a saucepan.
2. Cook over medium heat until berries soften and sauce thickens slightly.
3. Cool before serving over ice cream.