We all know about the different types of ice cream out there. You can peruse any aisle at your local grocery store for store-bought ice cream varieties, head on over to your favorite ice cream shop or parlor for luxurious professionally made ice cream (like what we have here at Besties Ice Cream), or, if you’re feeling adventurous in the kitchen, try your hand at making your own batch of ice cream.

No one particular type of ice cream is better than the other (though if you ask us, of course, we’re partial to the amazing flavors we have available at Besties Ice Cream), but each has its advantages.

If you’re looking for convenience, ice cream from the freezer section of your grocery store is a sure bet. If you’re looking for a treat for the whole family or for your next gathering, ice cream from the world-famous Besties Ice Cream truck is a win-win. But if you’re looking for a specific flavor profile you can’t find anywhere else or are looking for your next scoop of ice cream to be an event in and of itself, then homemade ice cream might just be for you.

With so many innovative ice cream recipes and methods out there for home ice cream makers, though, even narrowing down your options for making homemade ice cream can be difficult. That’s why we’re here—to help you figure out the different types and methods of homemade ice cream making.

Custard Style

One of the creamier and richer options when it comes to making homemade ice cream is custard-style ice cream. This type of ice cream consists of a custard base for your ice cream mix. Like with a non-ice-cream custard, this base includes egg yolks, cream, milk, sugar, and whatever flavor ingredients your heart desires. Custard-style ice cream is most successful when made in a home ice cream maker, and the final product ends up smooth and rich because it contains not only egg yolks, but more fat than other types of homemade ice cream.

Non-Custard Style Made With an Ice Cream Machine

As you might have guessed, this type of ice cream does not include egg yolks as custard-style ice cream does. This type of ice cream usually involves just the cream, milk, sugar, and flavor combinations you choose. While this type of ice cream doesn’t end up as smooth and creamy as custard-style ice cream, it’s still delicious and flavorful.

Non-Custard Style Made Without an Ice Cream Machine

When making non-custard style ice cream, there’s a couple of different ways to make it. The most common option is with a home ice cream machine, but you can make a delicious non-custard style ice cream without an ice cream maker. With this type of homemade ice cream, the ingredients are whipped with a fork or whisk, or with an electric hand mixer. This whipping breaks up ice crystals during the freezing process and results in a delectable frozen treat as the end product.

If you’ve decided to venture into the world of homemade ice cream, there are so many types and styles of ice cream you can try out! Now that you know three of the most common and popular homemade ice cream types, you can start on your own ice cream making journey.