Ice cream made with two bowls — no machine needed
Ice cream made with two bowls — no machine needed is a medium American recipe that serves 8. 210 calories per serving. Recipe by Adam Ragusea on YouTube.
Prep: 30 min | Cook: 25 hrs 5 min | Total: 25 hrs 50 min
Cost: $6.35 total, $0.79 per serving
Ingredients
- 2 cups Heavy Cream (full‑fat, 36% milkfat for best texture)
- 1 cup Evaporated Milk (can substitute with regular whole milk, but evaporated milk adds protein for smoother texture)
- 0.75 cup Granulated Sugar (about 150 g; adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon Vanilla Extract (pure vanilla for best flavor)
- 1 part Kosher Salt (used only in the ice‑salt bath, not in the ice cream itself)
Instructions
Pre‑chill Bowls
Place both the outer and inner bowls in the freezer for 10–15 minutes so they are very cold before starting.
Time: PT15M
Prepare Ice‑Salt Bath
Fill the outer bowl halfway with ice cubes. Add kosher salt at roughly a 1:4 ratio (one part salt to four parts ice) and stir to distribute.
Time: PT5M
Combine Dairy Base
In the inner bowl, pour 2 cups heavy cream, 1 cup evaporated milk, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, and 1 Tbsp vanilla extract. Stir gently to dissolve the sugar.
Time: PT5M
First Aeration
Insert the inner bowl into the ice‑salt bath, ensuring the water surrounds the bowl. Using the hand mixer on the lowest speed, beat the mixture for 8–10 minutes, scraping the sides periodically.
Time: PT10M
First Freeze
Cover the outer bowl with a lid or foil and place the entire rig in the freezer for about 1 hour.
Time: PT1H
Second Aeration
Remove the rig from the freezer. Beat the mixture again on low speed for 3–5 minutes until it looks like soft‑serve ice cream.
Time: PT5M
Transfer to Container
Quickly pour the softened ice cream into a lidded freezer‑safe container, smoothing the top with a spatula.
Time: PT2M
Final Harden
Place the container in the freezer for at least 24 hours (longer if possible) until fully hardened.
Time: PT24H
Serve
Scoop into bowls or cones, add toppings if desired, and enjoy.
Time: PT2M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 210
- Protein
- 2 g
- Carbohydrates
- 20 g
- Fat
- 12 g
- Fiber
- 0 g
Dietary info: Vegetarian, Gluten‑Free
Allergens: Dairy
Last updated: April 11, 2026






