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Nostalgia Ice Cream Maker Recipe

If you’ve got a Nostalgia ice cream maker like I do, you already know how fun and easy it makes homemade ice cream. This recipe brings back those classic childhood memories with creamy, old-fashioned vanilla ice cream made from simple ingredients. I love using whole milk, heavy cream, sugar, and real vanilla extract—nothing fancy, just the good stuff. The machine does all the churning while I relax, and in about 30–40 minutes, I get smooth, rich ice cream ready to enjoy. It’s perfect for customizing with mix-ins like chocolate chips, fruit, or cookie dough!
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 1.5
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 220
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Equipment

  • Nostalgia Electric Ice Cream Maker
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk or electric mixer
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Rubber spatula​
  • Freezer-safe container with lid

Method
 

Mix the Base
  1. I combine the milk and sugar in a bowl and whisk until the sugar dissolves. Then I stir in the heavy cream, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.
Chill the Mixture
  1. If I have time, I chill the base in the fridge for 30 minutes. It helps with texture and faster churning.
Pour and Churn
  1. I pour the mixture into the canister of my pre-frozen Nostalgia ice cream maker, place it in the bucket with ice and rock salt, then let it churn for about 25–30 minutes.
Serve or Freeze
  1. Once it’s thick and creamy, I serve it soft-serve style or transfer it to a container and freeze for 2 hours if I want a firmer scoop.

Notes

I always make sure the canister is completely dry before freezing. Even a drop of water can turn into a block of ice and mess with the churning. I also avoid stopping the machine too early—if the texture is still soupy, I give it a few more minutes.