Sometimes you need a perfect, simple vanilla ice cream. My homemade Keto Vanilla Ice Cream goes well in sundaes, with pie, on top of a warm brownie, and right from the container with a spoon. This easy recipe is low carb, keto, gluten-free, grain-free, sugar-free, and Trim Healthy Mama friendly.
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I have several recipes that use either sweet cream or vanilla ice cream, but I haven't gotten around to sharing my ice cream recipe on its own yet. If you are too adventurous for plain ole vanilla, make sure to check out my Sweet Cream Coffee Caramel Ice Cream, Vanilla Ice Cream with a Chocolate Truffle Core, Pecan Praline Ice Cream, and Peanut Butter Ice Cream with Peanutty Caramel. And the other ten or so ice cream recipes on my blog. Can you tell I like ice cream?
Besides, once you get the hang of making homemade ice cream at home, you will never want the store-bought stuff again. Yes, you can find many store-bought keto versions of ice cream on the market, and they are okay. But, they are made with all sorts of ingredients that aren't going to be common or things you can find around your home. Instead, when you bite into one of my homemade ice cream recipes, you will be given an explosion of creaminess that is truly irresistible. Yes, even regular vanilla ice cream is creamy and has a wonderful flavor.
Ingredients You Will Need
You will be happy to know that all you need is 6 ingredients to whip up a batch of this homemade vanilla ice cream. Incredible right?!?!
- Heavy Cream - Heavy whipping cream is what makes ice cream creamy.
- Milk - You can use either reduced-carb milk, unsweetened coconut milk (from a carton, not a can), or unsweetened almond milk. I do prefer using reduced-carb milk when I am able to find it. Most of my local grocery stores, Walmart, and Target all carry Fairlife brand.
- Egg Yolks - I throw them in raw. If you don't want to do that for health reasons you can purchase pasteurized eggs or gently heat the base until bubbles form around the edge. This is called tempering.
- Sweetener - I use my sweetener blend but do offer subs in the recipe card for swapping out to another sugar free sweetener.
- Vanilla - Make sure to use a good vanilla extract when you want the vanilla flavor to be the star.
- Glycerin - Glycerin is optional but recommended. It helps ice cream not freeze too hard to scoop.
How to Make Keto Vanilla Ice Cream
All you need to do is put the heavy cream, milk, egg yolks, sweetener, vanilla, and glycerin in a blender and combine. Then pour the creamy ice cream mixture into your ice cream machine. No need to make a homemade sweetened condensed milk or any other recipes first.
The best thing about this homemade vanilla keto ice cream recipe is you can control the ingredients. This doesn't have any weird add-ins you can't pronounce. I do add a little vegetable glycerin to my ice creams, so they stay soft and scoopable in the freezer. That is always optional. If you are patient enough to let your ice cream temper for thirty minutes, you can omit it. Patience has never been my strongest virtue.
Keto Vanilla Ice Cream Topping Ideas
Just like any ice cream, adding toppings gives them even more flavor and texture. We love to eat a bowl of this vanilla ice cream with nothing on it, but sometimes it's fun to pack on the toppings. Here are a few ideas to try out:
- Nuts - Add your favorite nuts to the ice cream. They are crunchy and full of flavor. Try out my Keto Candied Pecans for an explosion of sweet goodness in every bite.
- Hot Fudge Sauce - Nothing better than some ice cream topped with incredible low carb sugar free hot fudge sauce. Try it and see for yourself how simple it is to make too.
- Caramel Sauce - Another one of our go to ice cream toppings is Sugar Free Caramel Sauce. Seriously, it's going to rock your world.
- Sprinkles - Use your favorite sugar-free sprinkles to add some playful color to your homemade ice cream. It's great for birthday parties too.
- Chocolate Chips - Add a few sugar-free chocolate chips to the ice cream. It's super yummy and gives you some chocolate too.
- Fruit - Add all of your favorite fresh berries on top. We like to add some strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries from time to time. They are colorful and add even more natural sweetness to the ice cream.
- Fresh Berry Sauce - this is delicious with my keto blueberry sauce or keto raspberry sauce.
How to make a Keto Brownie Sundae
Wondering about that fantastic low carb keto brownie, you see? That is one of my Little Debbie Fudge Brownies. For an even more fabulous sundae, drizzle on some Hot Fudge.
Or serve this on Keto Apple Crisp for a fall treat! I promise it's fine for a low carb diet. Check out that post to see what I use instead of apples. Another great option is a scoop with my Keto Blueberry Cake.
Raw Egg Yolks in Ice Cream
If you are concerned about using raw egg yolks, you can purchase pasteurized eggs, or you can temper the ice cream base. I don't do either. I guess I'm a bit of a rebel, but I've never gotten sick from raw eggs in ice cream or cookie batter.
Glycerin in Ice Cream?
The reason for the glycerin is to keep the keto vanilla ice cream soft enough to scoop. It is optional since it does add a small number of carbs. If you prefer to leave it, you can sub in vodka or let the ice cream sit out at room temperature for 30 minutes before scooping.
What ice cream maker should I buy?
My Cuisinart ice cream maker is one of the best investments I have ever made. Those store-bought pints of low carb ice creams add up fast, AND homemade ice cream tastes so much better. See my favorite ice cream maker HERE.
Once you own an ice cream machine, you will find that you can make ALL sorts of different flavors. We love playing around with ice cream to see what else we can come up with.
How to store Keto Vanilla Ice Cream
These leftover pint containers are perfect for storing homemade ice cream. My husband went on a gelato kick a few years back and brought home half a dozen pints at once when these were on sale. And that is why I normally do the grocery shopping.
You can use any glass or plastic storage container as long as it's airtight. You should keep the ice cream in the coldest part of your freezer to ensure it lasts the longest. Be sure to avoid sticking it in the door, or it will tend to slightly melt as the door opens and closes and will cause a lot of ice crystals to develop.
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 1 ½ cups reduced carb milk or unsweetened almond milk ***
- 3 egg yolks
- ½ cup Joy Filled Eats Sweetener (or see alternatives in recipe notes)
- 2 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 teaspoon glycerin optional
Instructions
- Put all the ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth. Pour into an ice cream machine and freeze according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally Published October 3, 2017. Revised and Republished May 25, 2021.
Marsha L. Provo says
Excellent page. Easy to follow. I will try this for sure. THANK YOU!
Linda says
Which low carb milk do you use? I'm not familiar with this item.
Taryn says
Fairlife is one that can be found in Walmart, Target, and many grocery stores.
Denise says
excellent recipes, but now having stomach issues and can only use stevia natural sweetener any suggestions on how to sub for your sweetener?
Taryn says
In ice cream you can just sub stevia to taste. Unfortunately, stevia won't work in some baked goods and most candies.
Alan R Edwards says
Can you make this without an ice cream machine?
Taryn says
No, it will get too solid. The ice cream machine adds air as it churns that way a mixer can make heavy cream into whipped cream. You can make it into ice cream pops though.
Tanya says
What ice cream machine does everyone use - I am asking for one at Christmas
Taryn says
I love my Cuisinart 1.5 quart ice cream maker. It's this one: https://amzn.to/353lfsf
Tara says
I have made this with powdered swerve, and also tried it with xylitol. Lakanto as well. I've always left it at 1/2 cup of sweetener and found it to be plenty sweet FYI! Guess it depends how long you have been off sugar for. I have a sweet tooth and my fave way to make it is to do 1/4 cup xylitol and 1/4 cup lakanto or powdered swerve.
I've also made a mint chip where I replace the vanilla extract with peppermint and then stir in either sugar free chocolate chips or chopped 85-90% Lindt dark bars. (About 1/2 of a large bar)
Oh and I also sprinkle 1/4 tsp xanathan gum for stabilizer. My ice cream lasts for weeks and I dont need to take it out of the freezer to thaw first.
Sometimes I replace 1 tsp of the glycerin with 1 tsp of vodka. The 2 work well together. One prevents the ice crystals and stops from freezing too much and 1 keeps it smooth...
Keeping a layer of plastic wrap over the surface of the ice cream in the container in the freezer also helps
Try Taryn's recipes! You won't be disappointed! I was getting frustrated with low carb baking as NOTHING ever turned out...the ingredients are sooooo pricey here in Canada too! A small bag of swerve is between 10 and 15$!!! Ever since I started using her recipes nothing has NOT worked lol. Honestly they're all fantastic thank you!
RClark says
This ice cream is the best ever when you need an ice cream fix. My husband really liked it too which is saying a lot. Thank you so much! Keep up the great work!
Ronda says
What would be the amount of Monkfruit as a substitute for the sweetner?
Taryn says
1.5 times the amount listed for Lakanto.
Adairtx says
❤️
Suzy says
Loved how super simple this was to make! So delicious too!
Renee Goerger says
What a wonderful recipe. Love the flavor and I'm thrilled that it's keto!
Joyce says
How much vodka would you substitute for the glycerin?
Taryn says
I'd try 2 tablespoons.
Shirley Bly says
I have been making this ice cream exclusively for months. I just love it and I've never really been into vanilla ice cream before. The only change that I make is that I substitute half and half for the almond milk.
Daphne says
I don't have almond milk or reduced carb milk on hand. Would doubling the Heavy Cream work?
Taryn says
Using all heavy cream doesn't work very well for homemade ice cream. There is a real chance it will turn to butter. Coconut milk would work if you have that on hand.
Daphne says
Got the right ingredients and I must say that this ice cream is super easy and absolutely delicious!!! Now I cant wait to eat this up so I can try some of your other ice cream recipes!!! Thanks for sharing. ❤️
Holly Jacob says
I use only heavy cream when I make icecream and have made lots of it never ever had it turn to butter.