Raw Milk Ice Cream
Making creamy, raw milk ice cream is surprisingly simple. It begins with fresh raw dairy, blended with nutrient-rich pastured eggs, naturally sweetened with honey or maple syrup, and finished with a hint of vanilla for extra depth. Mix it all together, and you’ve got a deliciously smooth ice cream ready to enjoy.
Raw milk ice cream is a staple in our home, and for good reason. Not only is it packed with nutrients, but it’s also a wholesome treat I can feel good about serving—even for breakfast sometimes! This homemade version is high in protein, naturally sweetened, and completely customizable. With no unnecessary additives, I have full control over the ingredients, which gives me peace of mind as a mom. Raw milk itself is rich in essential vitamins like A, D, and E, along with minerals, heart-healthy omega-3s, and CLA (conjugated linoleic acid). Since it’s unprocessed, it retains more of its natural nutrients and enzymes compared to conventional milk, making it the perfect base for a truly nourishing dessert!
Ingredients & Equipment you may need:
Are you ready to make raw milk ice cream at home? You’ll need to round up the following:
- Raw milk & cream for a creamy base (can use store bought here as well)
- Pasture raised egg yolks
- Sweeteners like honey, maple syrup or raw cane sugar (I order mine in bulk from Azure Standard)
- Flavor options like vanilla, chocolate chips, fruit (you can be creative here!)
- An ice cream maker, or the supplies needed for the no-churn method
The equipment I prefer and other options:
I’ve tried several methods and I’ve landed on using My Bosch Universal Mixer from Nutrimill, with the ice cream attachment. It makes the task so simple. I used to use a Kitchenaid mixer with an attachment which worked great, but you do have to plan ahead and have the bowl frozen first. Others choose a stand-alone ice cream maker and that’s a solid choice too. One of the things I love about using my Nutrimill is that it saves space by serving several purposes—less gadgets that take up space in the kitchen. It also uses ice and rock salt which means I don’t have to plan ahead.
Raw Milk Ice Cream Ingredients
- 1 cup raw, whole milk
- 2 cups raw cream
- 6 large egg yolks, separated
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 cup maple syrup or honey
Instructions
- Place ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
- Pour the batter into an ice cream maker and churn according to the ice cream maker directions. In my Bosch ice cream maker, this usually this takes about 20-25 minutes.
- Add in fruits, nuts, caramel or whatever you would like! Our favorites are coffee, cocoa powder for a chocolate ice cream, or mint!
- Store in a container with a lid in freezer.
- These glass containers with lids are a great option, too!
Raw Milk Ice Cream Add-in ideas:
- Caramel Sauce: A classic topping for a sweet and rich flavor.
- Fruit: Fresh or frozen berries, sliced bananas, or other fruits.
- Nuts: Chopped nuts like almonds, walnuts, or pecans.
- Brownies: Brownie chunks for a rich and decadent treat.
- Mint chocolate chip: Add 1 tsp peppermint extract & 1 cup mini chocolate chips.
- Cacao Nibs: For a slightly bitter and chocolatey flavor.
- Curd: Lemon curd, lime curd, or other curd flavors for a tangy and creamy addition.
No Churn Method Instructions
- Place the unchurned ice cream recipe mixture in a deep stainless steel baking dish and freeze for 45 minutes.
- As it begins to freeze near the edges, remove it from the freezer and stir vigorously with a spatula.
- Return to the freezer
- Continue to check the mixture every 30 minutes, stirring vigorously as it’s freezing.
- Repeat this process 2-3 times over a few hour span, or until frozen.
Final Thoughts
It’s so much fun to experiment with different flavor combinations and add-ins! This is also a great way to get kids involved in the process. It’s truly up to your imagination and there are no hard rules (yay!). Most of all, take the opportunity to enjoy time with your family & friends enjoying this classic treat with a healthy twist.
watch our raw milk ice cream reel here
My raw milk ice cream must-haves linked below:
a kitchenaid attachment for those with kitchenaids
I bulk order items like chocolate chips, dried fruits, honey or sugar from Azure Standard to save money.
ice cream maker I use with the Bosch mixer from Nutrimill (discount code: acresandaprons)
Raw Milk Ice Cream
Equipment
- 1 Ice cream maker
- 1 Ice cream scoop
- 1 Blender or mixing bowl
- 1 Freezer safe container
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw whole milk
- 2 cups raw cream
- 6 large egg yolks
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 cup maple syrup or honey
Instructions
- Place ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into an ice cream maker and follow instructions according to the ice cream maker directions. Usually this takes about 15-25 minutes.
- *See notes for a non-raw ice cream option
- In the last minute or two, add in fruit, nuts, caramel or any additions you would like.
- Store in a freezer safe container
Notes
- In a heat-safe bowl, whisk the egg yolks and sweetner until smooth.
- Warm the dairy in a saucepan over medium-low heat until steaming, not boiling.
- While whisking constantly, slowly pour about ½ cup of the hot dairy into the egg yolks to gently warm them.
- Pour the egg mixture back into the saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until slightly thickened and able to coat the back of a spoon.
- Remove from heat, add vanilla, strain if desired, and chill completely before churning.
- Add 1 tsp peppermint extract & 1 cup mini chocolate chips for a mint chocolate chip version
- Top with caramel Sauce
- Fruit, fresh or frozen
- Nuts, Brownie chunks or cocao nibs
- Cookie Dough
Ready to make fresh-milled sourdough bagels next? Check out the blog post here!
So easy and delicious. We love to make this in our creami too