Make coffee ice cream at home without an ice cream maker. This no-churn recipe delivers creamy, rich coffee flavor with just 4 ingredients. It’s ready to eat in 4 hours and tastes better than store-bought versions.
Quick Answer: No-churn coffee ice cream uses heavy cream, sweetened condensed milk, instant coffee, and vanilla. Whip cream to stiff peaks, fold in remaining ingredients, freeze for 4-6 hours. The result is smooth, scoopable ice cream with about 40mg caffeine per serving.
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy cream, cold
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 3 tablespoons instant coffee granules
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Optional: ½ cup mini chocolate chips
Pro tip: This recipe works best with a quality ice cream maker. I recommend the Cuisinart ICE-21 – it makes perfect ice cream in 20 minutes with no ice needed.
How to Make It
Dissolve instant coffee in 1 tablespoon hot water and let cool. In a large bowl, beat heavy cream with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form, about 3-4 minutes. Don’t overbeat or you’ll make butter.
In another bowl, mix sweetened condensed milk, dissolved coffee, vanilla, and salt. Gently fold the coffee mixture into whipped cream in three additions. Be gentle to keep air in the cream – this is what makes it creamy without an ice cream maker.
Pour mixture into a loaf pan or freezer-safe container. Fold in chocolate chips if using. Cover tightly with plastic wrap pressed directly on surface to prevent ice crystals. Freeze for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Mix-In Ideas
- Crushed chocolate sandwich cookies
- Caramel swirl
- Chopped nuts
- Brownie chunks
- Toffee bits
Scooping and Serving
Let ice cream sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before scooping for easier serving. Store covered in freezer for up to 2 weeks. The texture stays creamy because the sweetened condensed milk and fat content prevent large ice crystals from forming.
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This no-churn coffee ice cream proves you don’t need expensive equipment to make amazing homemade ice cream. Just a mixer, a freezer, and a few hours of patience.
Recommended Tools for Coffee Ice Cream
Making coffee ice cream at home is even better with the right tools. Here are my top recommendations:
Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker
This 1.5-quart ice cream maker makes the process effortless. No ice needed—just freeze the bowl and you’re ready to make ice cream in 20 minutes. Perfect for this recipe.
Takeya Cold Brew Maker
For the best coffee concentrate, use a dedicated cold brew maker. Makes smooth, rich coffee that blends perfectly into ice cream without bitterness.