How to Make Vanilla Ice Cream
Creamy, rich homemade vanilla ice cream made with real vanilla beans and simple ingredients. Perfect for desserts or enjoying on its own!
- Prep Time: 30 mins (plus chilling)
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 9 hrs (with freezing)
- Yield: 1 quart (4-6 servings) 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Churned/Freezing
- Cuisine: International
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 vanilla bean (or 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract)
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 6 large egg yolks
Instructions
- Prepare base: In a saucepan, combine cream, milk, half the sugar, and salt. Split vanilla bean lengthwise, scrape seeds into mixture, and add pod.
- Heat: Warm over medium heat until steaming (do not boil), then remove from heat and let steep 30 minutes.
- Temper eggs: Whisk egg yolks with remaining sugar. Slowly pour 1 cup warm cream mixture into yolks while whisking.
- Cook custard: Return yolk mixture to saucepan. Cook on low heat, stirring constantly, until thickened (170°F/77°C).
- Strain & chill: Strain through fine-mesh sieve, discard vanilla pod. Chill 4+ hours or overnight.
- Churn: Pour into ice cream maker and churn 20-25 minutes until soft-serve consistency.
- Freeze: Transfer to airtight container and freeze 4+ hours to firm up.
Notes
- For vanilla extract version: Add after straining (no steeping needed).
- No ice cream maker? Freeze in shallow container, stirring every 30 minutes for 3-4 hours.
- Storage: Keeps 2 weeks in freezer (place parchment directly on surface to prevent ice crystals).
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 185mg
Find it online: https://us.recipesfood.org/how-to-make-vanilla-ice-cream/
