Benefits of Making Vanilla Soft Serve at Home
Making your own soft serve doesn’t just taste better—it comes with all kinds of perks:
You get to control the ingredients. No preservatives, no gums, and no stabilizers. Just wholesome, recognizable ingredients from your own kitchen.
It’s budget-friendly. One batch makes enough for six generous servings at a fraction of what you’d spend buying individual cones or pints.
It’s perfect for kids and parties. Set up a DIY soft serve bar with toppings and let everyone create their own cones.
You can personalize the flavor. Want to add a hint of almond or swap vanilla for peppermint around the holidays? Go for it. This base is ready for your creativity.
And of course, no ice cream machine means less cleanup and less hassle. All wins in my book.
Ingredients
Here’s everything you’ll need to whip up this irresistible treat:
2 cups cold whipping cream
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
½ cup whole milk
Each ingredient plays a critical role here. The whipping cream provides the volume and airy texture, while the condensed milk adds sweetness and a rich, smooth mouthfeel. The whole milk helps lighten the mixture just enough to mimic that soft serve scoopability. And the vanilla—make sure it’s high quality—brings that classic ice cream flavor.
Tools You’ll Need
