The whole family is going to love this incredibly easy caramel ice cream with a hint of salt. The ingredients are so simple and it may just be my favorite ice cream of all time! Skip the ice cream shops and make the perfect creamy ice cream right at home.

Caramel Ice Cream Recipe
I love to challenge myself in the kitchen. I'm not talking about anything crazy. I'm talking about the recipes you look at and think, "I couldn't make that." Those are the recipes I push myself to try and hope for the best.
Usually, recipes you think are too difficult to make at home aren't that difficult to make. They may take some patience and maybe some trial and error, but each recipe tends me be more simple than you'd think.
So, even though it may sound super difficult to make homemade ice cream, I promise you it isn't. Not when you've got the right method and some simple ingredients!
Why make ice cream at home
There are lots of ways to make ice cream at home. Some require an ice cream machine, some require many ingredients and some, like this caramel ice cream recipe, are effortless.
Homemade ice cream is one of my favorite desserts, so I'll always find a simple and uncomplicated method to make it. The no churn ice cream method is about as easy as it gets! It's a great way to make salted caramel ice cream and strawberry granola parfait ice cream.
Why You'll Love this Recipe
- This no churn recipe always produces delicious ice cream with the perfect creamy texture that all ice cream should have!
- You don't need expensive equipment to make this homemade ice cream recipe. A no churn ice cream recipe uses kitchen materials you already have.
- Caramel ice cream only requires 5 simple ingredients that you may already have in your pantry and refrigerator.
Living in Arizona, I have to have plenty of ice cold desserts to keep us cool during the summer. I've got a post with some of the best frozen desserts, but let's be honest, I'd eat ice cream every day if I could.
Ingredients
On your next grocery store run, grab these ingredients so you have them on hand whenever you're ready to make ice cream:
- heavy whipping cream
- sweetened condensed milk
- caramel sauce
- coarse sea salt
- powdered sugar
Substitutions and Variations
To make a dairy free version of this caramel ice cream recipe, use a dairy-free heavy whipping cream and sweetened condensed coconut milk. The flavor and texture may change a bit, but you'll still have a delicious ice cream.
Add in candies such as Heath Bar, peanut butter cup chunks or chocolate chips. You can also crumble up chocolate chip cookies or add no-bake cookie dough chunks to your ice cream.
Turn this salted caramel ice cream into chocolate and caramel by swirling in some chocolate sauce. Make a vanilla ice cream base by adding a splash or two of vanilla extract. You can add lots of different flavors!
How to Make Caramel Ice Cream
Use a hand mixer or a stand mixer with the whisk attachment and whip the heavy cream in a large bowl on high speed until stiff peaks begin to form.
Add the sweetened condensed milk, ¼ cup of the caramel sauce, 1 tablespoon of the sea salt, and the powdered sugar to the fresh whipped cream.
Whisk mixture on high until all ingredients are thoroughly incorporated. You'll want to make sure that all of the sugar dissolves, so mix it well!
Pour the homemade ice cream mixture into a 9x5 loaf pan. Top the ice cream with the remaining caramel and sea salt. Then, use a knife or skewer to swirl the caramel across the top.
Place the loaf pan into the freezer and let the ice cream set for at least 4 hours.
Once frozen, scoop into an ice cream bowl or onto cones and enjoy!
How to Store Salted Caramel Ice Cream
Cover the loaf pan in plastic wrap, or transfer leftover ice cream to an airtight container. Store ice cream in the freezer for up to 2 weeks.
Toppings for Caramel Ice Cream
There's so many great things to put on top of the best ice cream ever! Here's a few of my favorites:
- Whipped cream
- Sprinkles
- Chocolate chips
- Cookie crumbles
- Candy
- Hot fudge sauce
- Strawberry slices
- Banana slices
You could even make ice cream sandwiches with this yummy ice cream! Use graham crackers or double chocolate cookies as the outsides.
Whip up a bourbon caramel sauce to top your bowls of this delicious frozen treat.
Tips for Success
Because the caramel does not freeze all the way, this ice cream is ready to scoop straight from the freezer, no need to let it thaw a little. Unfortunately, this means that it cannot be left on the counter as long. The ice cream should be served within 10 minutes of being set out, otherwise it will be too runny.
The salt offers a great balance the overall sweetness of the ice cream. Using coarse sea salt gives you larger pieces of salt scattered throughout the ice cream, balancing the flavor and giving a little crunch.
You can store this ice cream for up to 2 weeks in the freezer covered with plastic wrap. Alternatively, you can transfer the ice cream to an airtight container.
Any brand of caramel ice cream sauce will work great with this recipe. I do not recommend making your own caramel because it will freeze too hard and make it difficult to scoop the ice cream.
FAQ
Although homemade caramel sauce is great, it is not recommended to use in this recipe. Store-bought caramel sauce won't freeze solid, but a homemade sauce will. You'll want it to be soft and not entirely frozen so that it's easy to scoop. But feel free to make caramel sauce to top your scoops of ice cream!
If you only add the recommended amount of salt, it will not be salty. The flakey sea salt actually just brings out the flavor of caramel and compliments it with a very slight savory touch.
More Frozen Dessert Recipes
- Watermelon Popsicles
- Citrus Sangria Popsicles
- Strawberry Ginger Ale Punch
- Three Ingredient Crunch Bar Ice Cream
Salted Caramel Ice Cream
No ice cream maker? No problem! This simple, no-churn, salted caramel fudge ice cream is the perfect treat.
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- ½ cup caramel sauce, divided
- 1 ½ tablespoon coarse sea salt, divided
- โ cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Use an electric hand mixer to whip the heavy cream on high speed until stiff peaks begin to form.
- Add the sweetened condensed milk, ¼ cup of the caramel sauce, 1 tablespoon of the sea salt, and the powdered sugar to the whipped cream. Mix on a high speed until the mixture is combined.
- Pour the ice cream mixture into a 9x5 inch loaf pan and top with the remaining caramel and salt. Use a knife to swirl the caramel.
- Place the ice cream in the freezer for at least 4 hours to set.
- Scoop and enjoy!
Recommended Products
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 445Total Fat: 28gSaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 135mgCarbohydrates: 44gFiber: 0gSugar: 43gProtein: 7g
Stephanie Powers says
Wait, it was ice cream week and I missed it?! I think I need to eat several servings of ice cream to make up for this oversight. This ice cream looks incredible Madison!
Madison says
A few servings is definitely acceptable!
Jenna Griffin says
This looks and sounds amazing! And the photography is on point! ๐
I need some of this right now!
Madison says
Thanks Jen! I had fun with it ๐
LeAndra says
Four ingredients and no ice cream maker sounds like just the kind of ice cream recipe I could master. Sounds delicious, Madison!
Madison says
You totally can!
Shell Peterson says
Drool!!!! Pinning this!
Mrs Major Hoff (Sara) says
Delish! Totally making this!!!!
Paris says
This recipe looks awesome! Can't wait to try it!
Madison says
Thanks Paris! Hope you enjoy it. ๐
Ashley says
Salted caramel and hot fudge sauce??? Goodness this sounds delicious!
Madison says
OH yes ๐
Erin says
Oh my goodness, I LOVE this, Madison! So simple and delicious and easy... and this is definitely something I'll be making because I don't own an ice cream maker. (I had to borrow one for ice cream week!) And I love homemade ice cream, soooo...
Madison says
I thought about borrowing one as well but decided to try it without! ๐
Chelsea Jacobs says
This looks delicious--I had no idea ice cream was so easy to make!
Madison says
Truthfully neither did I!
Stacia says
YUM! I love how few ingredients this has!
Madison says
Me too! Except that means I may have them on hand pretty often which could be dangerous ๐
Stacia says
haha. Truth!
Holly | Holly Loo Ya says
Looks soooo good, pinning for when I'm feeling brave.
Madison says
You don't even need bravery, it's SO easy girl! Go for it ๐
Nina B says
yum! beautiful styling too, madison!
Madison says
Thanks Nina! I've been working on that ๐
Teresa says
I'm definitely pinning this for after the little man is born! Looks yummy!
Madison says
Eek, now you can have it! ๐