Easy Chocolate Ice Cream

Total Time

Prep: 10 min. Process: 20 min. + freezing

Makes

1-1/2 quarts

Updated: Aug. 06, 2023
This super simple chocolate ice cream recipe is the perfect treat at a moments notice. It's also a bonus that most of the ingredients are kitchen staples. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Easy Chocolate Ice Cream Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 2 cups half-and-half cream
  • 1-1/2 cups sugar
  • 1/2 cup baking cocoa
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream

Directions

  1. Combine half-and-half, sugar, cocoa and vanilla in a blender; process on low until smooth. Stir in heavy cream. Freeze in an ice cream freezer according to manufacturer's directions.
Chocolate Ice Cream Tips

What type of cocoa powder should you use in homemade chocolate ice cream?

This recipe is all about the indulgent chocolate flavor, so don’t be afraid to splurge on a high-quality cocoa. Choose the powder you like, whether it’s regular cocoa or Dutch-processed.

Can you make chocolate ice cream without an ice cream maker?

Yes! To make ice cream without an ice cream maker, pour the mixture into a frozen 13x9-in. dish after chilling it overnight. Cover and freeze for 30 minutes. Beat with a hand mixer until smooth and return to the freezer. Repeat the process, beating every 30 minutes until you reach your desired consistency.

How can you avoid rock-hard chocolate ice cream?

To avoid rock-hard ice cream, make sure you’re using enough sweeteners. Sugar and other sweeteners help prevent crystallization, so don’t try to cut any from your recipe. Here are more tips for how to make professional-quality ice cream at home.

What mix-ins can you add to a chocolate ice cream recipe?

There's practically no limit to what you can mix into your homemade chocolate ice cream! Make rocky road ice cream with mini marshmallows and chopped nuts. Chop and freeze some peppermint patties, then gently fold into the chocolate ice cream with some crushed chocolate mint cookies. Layer in ribbons of fudge sauce or chocolate syrup as you pack the ice cream, or add chopped up brownie bits and edible cookie dough.

What do you serve with chocolate ice cream?

Serve chocolate ice cream with chocolate or salted caramel sauce, or serve it between two chocolate chip cookies to make an ice cream sandwich.

How do you store chocolate ice cream?

You can keep the ice cream in a container in the freezer for up to 3 months. To help stop ice crystals from forming, smooth out the top after scooping and return the ice cream promptly to the freezer. Find more of our favorite ice cream recipes.

—Christine Rukavena, Taste of Home Book Editor, and Sammi DiVito, Taste of Home Assistant Editor

Nutrition Facts

1/2 cup: 288 calories, 18g fat (12g saturated fat), 65mg cholesterol, 31mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (28g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.