No-Churn Salted Caramel Ice Cream
A simple no-churn ice cream with rich salted caramel swirled throughout for a sweet and salty treat. This american-inspired desserts (gluten-free) ready in about 15 minutes layers sweetened condensed milk, heavy whipping cream, vanilla extract into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 370 calories and feeds 8, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup, store-bought or homemade salted caramel sauce
- 1/4 tsp sea salt flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together 14 oz sweetened condensed milk and 1 tsp vanilla extract until smooth.
- Step 2: In a separate chilled bowl, beat 2 cups heavy whipping cream with an electric mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form, about 3-4 minutes.
- Step 3: Gently fold the whipped cream into the sweetened condensed milk mixture in three parts, being careful to keep the mixture light and airy.
- Step 4: Pour half of the ice cream base into a 9x5-inch loaf pan. Drizzle 1/3 of 3/4 cup salted caramel sauce over the layer and sprinkle lightly with 1/8 tsp sea salt flakes.
- Step 5: Add the remaining ice cream base on top and swirl the remaining caramel sauce through the top layer with a knife. Sprinkle the remaining sea salt flakes evenly on top.
- Step 6: Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap and freeze for at least 6 hours or overnight until firm. Let ice cream sit at room temperature for 5 minutes before scooping.
Frequently asked questions
How long does No-Churn Salted Caramel Ice Cream take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (15 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover No-Churn Salted Caramel Ice Cream?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in No-Churn Salted Caramel Ice Cream?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale No-Churn Salted Caramel Ice Cream for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is No-Churn Salted Caramel Ice Cream gluten-free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
Related recipes
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
