
How To Make Homemade Ice Cream? Easy - Thanks, A £80 AliExpress Gadget
How To Make Homemade Ice Cream? - Easy! With The AliExpress Machine Everyone’s Talking About
What if I told you that for the price of one dinner out, you could have your very own ice cream parlour sitting on your kitchen counter? That’s right - £80, one gadget from AliExpress UK, and you’ll be churning out homemade ice cream so smooth and creamy, your local dessert shop might start to feel threatened. We tried the viral AliExpress ice cream machine everyone’s been whispering about (the one in the photo you’ve probably already saved to your wish list).
Spoiler: it works, it’s fun, and it’s honestly the easiest way to make ice cream you’ll ever find. And yes - the vanilla ice cream we made with it might be the best ice cream we’ve ever had. This will show you how to make homemade ice cream. You'll learn how to make ice vanilla ice cream recipe so simple, you could pull it off while half-watching Netflix. Ready to chill? Let’s dive in.

Why You’ll Never Want Store-Bought Ice Cream Again
Let’s start with a confession: we’ve all spent too much on ice cream. £6 a tub for “artisanal vanilla”? Come on. Once you learn how to make home-made ice-cream, you’ll wonder why you ever queued in Tesco’s freezer aisle.
The truth? Homemade ice creams taste fresher, creamier, and are surprisingly easy to pull off - especially with this AliExpress ice cream machine. The gadget takes all the stress out of timing, churn, and freezer management. It’s basically foolproof.
What Makes It Special:
- No need for technical skills or constant stirring
- Cheaper per scoop than any shop-bought brand
- The ice cream will be soft, rich, and genuinely fresh
Easy Ice Cream - Meet The £80 AliExpress Ice Cream Machine Everyone’s Talking About
This sleek little ice cream maker from AliExpress UK looks like something straight out of a café. It’s compact, quiet, and makes delicious ice cream in under 25 minutes. We found it at the lowest price online - just £80 (incliding delivery cost) - and it was totally worth it.
It’s a manual/automatic hybrid: you pour your ice cream mixture into the top, press a button, and it starts to churn ice cream smoothly until it reaches that soft-serve perfection. It’s surprisingly sturdy and looks great on any countertop.
Why We Love It:
- Fast, easy, and no mess
- Perfect for families or dessert-obsessed singles
- Creates that professional swirl you see on Instagram
Creamy Ice Cream - What You’ll Need To Make Homemade Ice Cream
Before we get to the recipe, let’s get your ingredients lined up. You’ll only need a few basics for this homemade ice-cream recipe - all easy to find and budget-friendly.
Ingredient |
Quantity |
Why It Matters |
Heavy cream |
1 cup |
The base rich and creamy |
Whole milk |
½ cup |
Keeps it light and smooth |
Sweetened condensed milk |
½ cup |
Sweetens and softens the mix |
Vanilla extract or vanilla bean |
1 tsp |
Adds that classic vanilla flavor |
Egg yolk (optional) |
2 |
For a thicker custard base |
It’s that simple. With just 5 ingredients, you’re halfway to a creamy homemade ice cream dream.

Homemade Ice Cream Recipe - The Lazy But Perfect Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe
This is the one you’ll print and stick on your fridge - the easy homemade recipe that never fails. It’s our tried-and-tested homemade vanilla ice cream recipe, made especially for lazy dessert lovers.
Ingredients To Make
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup whole milk
- ½ cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract or seeds from a vanilla pod
- Optional: 2 egg yolks for extra richness
How To Make The Ice Cream
- In a saucepan, heat the cream and milk over low heat until warm - don’t boil.
- In another bowl, whisk your egg yolk with condensed milk and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Slowly combine both mixtures to make your custard.
- Cool it completely - this becomes your ice cream base.
- Pour it into the AliExpress ice cream maker and let it churn for 20-25 minutes.
- Transfer to an airtight container and freeze the ice cream for 2-3 hours.
- You’ll get silky, scoopable homemade vanilla ice cream that’s better than most “premium” brands.
Why It Works:
- The custard base prevents large ice crystals
- Heavy cream and vanilla extract create depth and aroma
- It’s an easy recipe anyone can master
Custard Base Vs No-Churn Ice Cream - What’s The Difference?
We tested both methods so you don’t have to. A custard-based ice cream recipe (with eggs) gives you that old-school richness and velvet texture. The homemade no-churn ice cream method (just whipped cream and condensed milk) is faster and simpler. With the AliExpress machine, both came out fantastic. But the custard version felt more luxurious - closer to a Cuisinart ice cream vibe, only cheaper.
Verdict:
- Custard ice = richer, deeper flavour
- No-churn = quicker, great for kids or lazy days
- Both are perfect with chocolate syrup or crushed cookies
Simple Ice Cream - How To Make Ice Cream Without A Machine (If You Really Must)
We get it - sometimes the gadget’s in the post. Here’s how to make ice cream without a machine. Mix your ice cream base, pour it into a bowl, and freeze. Every 30 minutes, whisk or stir to break up ice crystals until smooth. It’s the classic ice cream without an ice-cream machine method - simple, but time-consuming.
You’ll still get fantastic ice cream, though it might be slightly grainier. The AliExpress ice cream maker saves all that effort, handling the freezing point of the ice and churn for you.
Tips:
- Don’t overfreeze; the ice cream will be soft and perfect
- Use 4 cups crushed ice around your bowl if needed
- Add flavour while it’s still semi-soft for best texture

How To Use The AliExpress Ice Cream Maker - Step By Step
This ice-cream machine couldn’t be easier.
- Prepare your ice cream mixture (as above).
- Pour the cream into the machine.
- Switch to electric ice cream mode or manual churn depending on preference.
- Wait 20 minutes - that’s it.
- Scoop and serve straight away or chill for extra firmness.
- It’s so efficient, you could literally make the ice cream during a lunch break. The style ice cream it produces is soft-serve perfection.
Perks:
- No mess, no overthinking
- Great results every time
- Works for any ice cream flavor
Tips To Avoid Ice Crystals And Keep It Rich And Creamy
Nothing ruins a dessert faster than crunchy, frozen bits in your homemade ice cream. To avoid ice crystals, always cool your custard base fully before freezing. And don’t skimp on heavy cream - fat keeps your ice creams silky. You can also add a spoonful of evaporated milk or sweetened condensed milk for a smoother finish. It’s a small hack that makes a big difference.
Pro Tips:
- Chill your bowl before pouring the mix
- Add vanilla bean or mini chocolate chips for texture
- Keep your freezer at the right point of the ice cream (around -18°C)
Extra Flavours: Chocolate Ice Cream, Strawberry & Beyond
Once you’ve nailed vanilla ice cream, the world opens up. Try homemade chocolate ice cream with cocoa powder, chocolate chip pieces, and condensed milk and vanilla for depth. Or strawberry ice cream made with real puree. Feeling experimental? Add cup chocolate syrup while churning for a ripple effect, or swirl in cookie butter for something dramatic.
Flavour Ideas:
- Classic chocolate ice cream - indulgent and smooth
- Strawberry ice cream - fruity and fresh
- Coffee caramel or matcha - your next obsession

The Final Verdict - Is The AliExpress UK Ice Cream Machine Worth It?
Absolutely. For £80, it’s the best ice cream gadget we’ve found online. It’s cheaper than any Cuisinart ice cream model, easier to use, and perfect for making home-made ice cream whenever you fancy. It takes the intimidation out of dessert-making and turns it into something genuinely fun. Whether you’re making homemade vanilla ice cream, homemade chocolate ice cream, or experimenting with new ice creams, it delivers every time.
What To Remember Before You Hit Buy
- You only need 5 ingredients and one gadget
- The AliExpress ice cream maker is the cheapest of its kind
- Perfect for homemade ice cream recipes (custard or no-churn)
- Produces rich, creamy texture without effort
- Great for kids, parties, or lazy dessert lovers
- The ice cream will be soft, smooth, and utterly addictive
- Delivery to the UK is quick and reliable
Bottom line: this £80 AliExpress ice-cream machine makes creamy homemade ice cream so good, you’ll never settle for supermarket tubs again. Try it once - and you’ll understand why everyone’s talking about it.