This 4-ingredient Mason Jar Ice Cream is a quick and easy no-churn dessert with a rich, creamy texture. Just shake the ingredients, freeze, and enjoy a fun homemade treat.
This Mason Jar Ice Cream is a fun and easy homemade dessert made with just 4 simple ingredients. No ice cream maker is needed. Just shake everything together, freeze, and enjoy a rich and creamy frozen treat right from the jar.
Mason Jar Ice Cream is such a fun ice cream dessert to make. You only need a few simple ingredients, and it turns out so delicious.
We love this year-round but it’s especially fun to make in the summer. The entire family loves to help and it’s perfect on this Ice Cream Charcuterie Board.
If you love ice cream treats, also try Lemon Shortbread Ice Cream, Dairy Queen Buster Bar Recipe and Hula Pie. The kids also love when I make Unicorn Ice Cream.
Why We Love This Recipe
- Only 4 ingredients: Simple pantry staples come together for an easy homemade dessert.
- No ice cream maker needed: Just shake, freeze, and enjoy.
- Fun to make: Kids and adults both love the hands-on process.
- Easy to customize: Add candy, cookies, fruit, sprinkles, or sauces for different flavors.
- Creamy texture: Rich and smooth with minimal effort.
- Single-serve dessert: Each jar makes a perfectly portioned frozen treat.
Ingredients
- Heavy cream: Use cold heavy cream so it thickens properly and creates a rich, creamy texture.
- Granulated sugar: Regular sugar sweetens the ice cream and blends easily into the mixture.
- Vanilla extract: Pure vanilla extract gives the ice cream a classic homemade flavor.
- Pinch of salt: Just a small pinch helps balance the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
- Add-ins: Optional mix-ins like crushed cookies, sprinkles, cocoa powder, or chocolate chips make it easy to customize each jar.
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1. Go ahead and pour all of the ingredients into the mason jar. Also, stir in the optional add-ins if using into the heavy whipping cream mixture. You will need at least an 8 ounce mason jar.
Step 2. Next, place the top on the jar and seal tightly. Seal the jar closed with a lid.
Step 3. Then shake for 4-5 minutes. The mixture should double in size and thicken.
Step 4. Remove the lid and check the consistency of the ice cream. It should easily coat the back of a spoon but is not too thick like whipped cream.
- Step 5. Add the lid back to the jar and freeze for 2-3 hours. Then serve and enjoy.
Add-Ins And Toppings
- Fruit. Strawberries, blueberries, peaches, raspberries or lemon zest. You might like to combine several types of berries.
- Brownies. Chunks of One Bowl Brownies taste delicious.
- Peanut Butter. Swirls of peanut butter look pretty and taste yummy.
- Nuts. Chopped pecans, walnuts, almond or peanuts.
- Sauces. Add a few tablespoons of Homemade Caramel Sauce, Homemade Strawberry Sauce Recipe or Hot Fudge Chocolate Sauce Recipe.
- Chocolate pieces. We love chopped up candy bars in the ice cream mixture.
Pro Tips
- Don’t overmix the ice cream: Shake just until the mixture thickens. Overmixing can turn the cream into whipped cream or even butter. Using a mason jar instead of a whisk helps prevent this.
- Freeze for the right amount of time: Freeze the jars for about 3 hours or until firm. Freezing too long can cause ice crystals to form and affect the creamy texture.
- Wide-mouth jars work best: Regular or wide-mouth mason jars both work well, but wide-mouth jars make shaking, mixing, and eating easier.
- Leave room in the jar: Do not fill the jar completely full. Leave some space at the top so the ingredients can move around while shaking.
- Use very cold ingredients: Cold heavy cream helps the mixture thicken faster and creates a creamier consistency.
- Add mix-ins after shaking: Stir in cookies, sprinkles, chocolate chips, or candy after the base is mixed so they do not sink or break apart too much.
- Shake tightly sealed jars: Make sure the lid is securely tightened before shaking to avoid spills.
- Let sit briefly before eating: If the ice cream freezes very firm, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before scooping or eating.
- Customize each jar: Make different flavors in separate jars for an easy dessert bar or family activity.
- Use freezer-safe mason jars: Check that your jars are freezer-safe to help prevent cracking in the freezer.
Storage
Best enjoyed fresh: For the creamiest texture, we recommend eating the ice cream within 3 hours of making it.
Freeze leftovers: Store any leftover ice cream tightly covered in the freezer for up to 1 week.
Soften before serving: Let the jar sit on the counter for about 10–15 minutes before eating so the ice cream can soften slightly.
Keep sealed tightly: Make sure the lid is secure to help prevent ice crystals and freezer burn.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can try using maple syrup or honey.
It works easiest in a mason jar. However, you can use any type of container that will seal tightly and is airtight.
While, it will still make ice cream, it won’t taste as good. The fat in the heavy cream makes the ice cream rich and creamy.
More Homemade Ice Cream Recipes
- Cookies and Cream Ice Cream
- Red Velvet Ice Cream
- Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
- Chunky Monkey Ice Cream
Make this 4-ingredient Mason Jar Ice Cream for a fun and easy homemade dessert everyone will love! With endless mix-in possibilities, it’s the perfect frozen treat for kids, parties, or summer nights. Don’t forget to leave a review and star rating to share your favorite flavor combinations!
Mason Jar Ice Cream
Ingredients
- ½ cup Heavy Cream
- 2 teaspoons Granulated Sugar
- ¼ teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- Pinch of Salt
- Optional Add Ins: crushed cookies, sprinkles, cocoa powder, chocolate chips, etc.
See how we calculate recipe costs.
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients into at least an 8 ounce mason jar (including the optional add-ins).
- Seal the jar closed with a lid. Shake for 4-5 minutes until the mixture doubles in size and becomes thick.
- Check the mixture but remove the lid and make sure that the mixture can easily coat the back of a spoon but is not too thick like whipped cream.
- Reseal the jar and freeze for 2-3 hours. After this time, the ice cream is ready to serve and enjoy!
Such a fun family activity and it tastes great too!
So easy and so good!
Hey Lois – Thanks so much! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
In the first picture what is the black object near the cup?