The only things you’ll need for the best simple homemade chocolate ice cream made right at home is this recipe and this ice cream maker. Go ahead, add to cart, then come right back here for the rest of the recipe. You’ll be glad you added this appliance and homemade ice cream recipe to your family fun nights this summer.
*Before writing this separate chocolate ice cream recipe, it was within the vanilla ice cream recipe I wrote a few years ago. Here is the vanilla ice cream machine recipe you’ll adore just as well:
VANILLA ICE CREAM MACHINE RECIPE
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Homemade Chocolate Ice Cream Ingredients
3/4 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 generous pinch of salt (Redmond’s is the BEST!)
1.5 cup whole milk
1.5 cups heavy cream
1/2 tbsp pure vanilla extract
*if you prefer a more “soft serve” ice cream, whipped cream and dreamy-like; use 1 cup of milk and 2 cups of heavy whipping cream.
Instructions
Mix together cocoa, sugars, and salt. Then add in milk to mix on low with your mixing agent. Allow sugars and salt to dissolve. Next, stir in heavy whipping cream and vanilla extract.
Store in fridge for 1 hour. If your ice cream maker calls for it, store your canister in the freezer for this time too.
Use ice cream maker’s instructions to get it going correctly.
Pour your ice cream mixture into the canister and add canister to the ice cream maker. Allow mixture to mix for 45 mins to 1 hour. The texture will be more like soft serve and absolutely delicious. You can eat it immediately or store in ice cream containers like these single serves or this in the freezer for up to 2 weeks. An airtight container helps the ice cream last longer before getting frost burn.
Makes about 1 quart of ice cream.
NOTES: Our family prefers to allow the ice cream to sit in the freezer for at least 1 hour before eating. This allows the ice cream to freeze more and set up more like ice cream and not very chilly whipped cream. Letting the ice cream spin in the machine for over 1 hour can cause the heavy cream to whip more than you’d like. It results in a weird feeling in the roof of your mouth, like a butter feel.
Can I make this homemade chocolate ice cream recipe dairy-free?
It is surely possible!
I cannot say for sure what the outcome will be since we are not a dairy-free family.
Swap the milk for almond milk, oat milk, coconut milk, etc.
Then swap the heavy whipping cream for perhaps coconut cream or a plant-based cream option. You will want to play with the recipe and the swapped ingredients.
Coconut cream may be thicker than heavy whipping cream so less may be required for a dairy-free or vegan ice cream option.
Why is homemade ice cream elite?
Just the beginning of this Abstract by PubMed ought to help you understand a little better why store bought ice creams are not the move. Check it out here for yourself: Food-grade carrageenans used in MANY foods as a thickener (even many whipping creams, UGH!)
Homemade ice cream is elite because it’s so simple! Milk, cream, sugar, vanilla extract. No fillers, emulsifiers, thickeners needed.
Recently in 2026, I’ve learned that many, including organic, heavy whipping creams have been adding thickeners like carrageenan and gums (xanthan gum, gellan gum, and more) for stability too. This is super annoying because the whole reason many folks make homemade foods is to get away from the crap the food industry tells us is GRAS (generally recognized as safe… GENERALLY.)
If you can access raw milk, that homemade ice cream is top tier.
We do what we can can where we are with what we’ve got, though…
Parenting Pro Tip:
Jump to RecipeGet your kids on board with learning how to follow recipes so they can make homemade chocolate ice cream for you anytime you want it!
Lots of free life and homeschool lessons (math, science, home economics, & more) to be learned in the kitchen and YOU, mama, get to enjoy those perks.
SHOP THIS POST
Single Serve Ice Cream Containers
Instant Decaf Coffee– add 1-2 packets to this chocolate ice cream mixture for a Coffee Chocolate Ice Cream! It’s REALLY good. Add instant coffee at the same time you add cocoa powder.
More Ice Cream Machine Recipes and Desserts
Vanilla Ice Cream Machine Recipe
Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream Machine Recipe
Pumpkin Cheesecake Ice Cream Machine Recipe
The BEST Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe you’ll find
Simple Brownies (fudgy and perfect for vanilla ice cream)- brownies are dairy free
Sourdough Graham Crackers– perfect for those cheesecake ice cream recipes
Follow along for more
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Homemade Chocolate Ice Cream
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Mix together cocoa, sugars, and salt. Then add in milk to mix on low with your mixing agent. Allow sugars and salt to dissolve. Next, stir in heavy whipping cream and vanilla extract.
- Store in fridge for 1 hour. If your ice cream maker calls for it, store your canister in the freezer for this time too.
- Use ice cream maker’s instructions to get it going correctly.
- Pour your ice cream mixture into the canister and add canister to the ice cream maker. Allow mixture to mix for 45 mins to 1 hour. The texture will be more like soft serve and absolutely delicious. You can eat it immediately or store in ice cream containers like these single serves or this in the freezer for up to 2 weeks. An airtight container helps the ice cream last longer before getting frost burn.
Notes
This chocolate ice cream recipe is wonderfully simple yet so rich and creamy, I love how approachable it is, and the tip to chill the base really makes a difference in texture. It’s also great that the recipe works well with dairy-free swaps. I might even try it with melted chocolate for extra smoothness. Definitely excited to make this—thanks for sharing such a versatile treat.
This is THE BEST chocolate ice cream!! Creamy, rich and balanced!
Well, this made my whole night, Jody! Thank you for your kindness and I’m super glad you love it.