This creamy homemade vanilla ice cream uses fresh vanilla beans and cream for the best, most flavorful ice cream recipe.
Servings: 6
Prep Time: 5 minutesminutes
Cook Time: 20 minutesminutes
Cooling Time: 2 hourshours
Ingredients
2vanilla bean pods
3cupsheavy cream
1cupwhole milk
1cupsugar
4egg yolks
Instructions
Start by splitting the vanilla pods in half long ways.
Add the split vanilla pods to a medium-sized pot along with the cream, milk, and sugar.
Cook the mixture over low to medium heat while frequently stirring with a rubber spatula until the milk is scalded and the sugar is dissolved.
Once scalded, remove the vanilla beans from the pod with a spoon and then scrape all the seeds out of the pod using a small knife and add them back to the pot.
Then, add a small amount of the hot milk mixture to a large bowl with 4 egg yolks and vigorously whisk to temper the eggs. You do this so the eggs can come up to temperature without scrambling.
Then, slowly pour in the remaining hot milk mixture while continuing to whisk at a normal pace until combined.
Add the mixture back to the pot.
Cook over low to medium heat while constantly stirring with a spoon or rubber spatula for 5 to 7 minutes or until it has thickened up and can coat the back of a spoon.
Strain the mixture through a fine mess strainer or chinois and then immediately chill in the refrigerator or in an ice bath until completely cooled.
Once chilled, transfer the mixture to an ice cream churner or maker and churn until the vanilla ice cream has solidified.
Serve or keep in an airtight container in the freezer.
Notes
Make-Ahead: You can make this recipe several days before you want to serve it.How to Store: Cover and keep the ice cream in an airtight container for up to 3 months.If you do not have an ice cream maker, transfer the mixture once cooled directly to the freezer until frozen.Churning prevents large ice crystals from forming in the ice cream and produces a smooth texture that makes it feel rich and luxurious when you eat it.Replace 1 fresh vanilla bean with 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract.