Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe
Is there anything better on a hot summer day than a big bowl of homemade ice cream? My Grandma Faye always had ice cream churning in her large wooden old-fashioned ice cream maker. We loved getting up on a stool and assisting her by adding large pieces of ice and rock salt, hoping that we would get the coveted role as the "taste tester." We would take our big bowls of ice cream, sit outside with our feet dangling in the sparkling pool and think that being at Grandma's house was the best.
I believed it then and I still believe it now...there's nothing better than handcrafted, rich, sweet cream vanilla ice cream made from scratch, using only the freshest ingredients. We are talking ultra simple ingredients - heavy cream, whole milk, sugar, vanilla beans, and sometimes even egg yolks. That's it. There's no fillers or extras added. It's how ice cream should be made.
I am sharing TWO homemade vanilla bean ice cream recipes with you today that will rock your world. It's a serious bonus. I am giving you two options - a simple one using only cream, milk, sugar and vanilla and one that is a custard base using egg yolks, and is slightly more time consuming. My kids favorite is the simple one which is a win-win for me. You have never tasted vanilla ice cream like this out of the carton.
Tips to make Out of this World Ice Cream:
Use fresh cream. I mean, the good stuff. Don't even both looking at the fat grams on the label. It's ice cream and we are going to enjoy every single bite.
If ice cream calls for milk, use whole milk every single time. It has that extra amount of fat that lends itself to a creamier ice cream.
There's two schools of thought with ice cream and people have some serious strong opinions about it. Eggs or no eggs is the question. Egg yolks add a rich, decadent flavor to ice cream and gives it a custard-like flavor. If you keep it simple and take the no egg yolks route and only use heavy cream, whole milk, sugar, and vanilla bean, then you will get a sweeter, purer vanilla ice cream. You are getting a 2 for 1 today because I am including my two favorite versions of homemade vanilla ice cream. You are welcome. xo
If you make the vanilla bean ice cream custard using fresh egg yolks, it has to be cooked and is more time-consuming. The mixture is brought to 185 degrees, which means that it needs to be chilled before attempting to freeze it. The results are mind-blowing good but it does take more time and effort.
Vanilla Beans make all of the difference. They are ridiculously expensive but if you can splurge on one thing, I would say buy 1 vanilla bean. There's nothing like specks of real vanilla beans in ice cream to put ice cream over the top. You can always substitute pure vanilla extract or vanilla paste as well. Remember to always add it after cooking to ensure best flavor pay off.
There are many ice cream freezer options out there. There is the old-fashioned kind like this one HERE that calls for a lot of ice and rock salt. It can taste incredible but keep in mind that it may take longer than other options. Our favorite way to make this homemade vanilla bean ice cream is to use the Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker. There are a few models available and sometimes you can even score one on sale at Costco. We have the model where you keep the ice cream freezer bowl frozen at all times, add the cold ice cream mixture to the bowl, and the machine freezes in less than 20 minutes. No mess. No rock salt. No ice.
Instead of making ice cream once or twice a year with the Big Daddy old-fashioned ice cream maker, I am making it all of the time.
Shoot, maybe that's a problem.
Once you have perfected the Homemade Vanilla Bean Ice Cream base then you can add any topping your little heart desires.
Mix-in Ideas: Strawberries, Bananas, Raspberries, Blackberries, White Chocolate, Salted Caramel, Chocolate Chunks, Oreos, Candy Bars.
Wait until I unveil what is coming tomorrow....MJ's Chocolate Chip Cookies that LOVE to be paired with this ice cream more than anything else.
Modern Honey is bringing you the ultimate ice cream sandwich. Giddy up.
Happy Eating, my friends! xo
Shaun
Can you make "any" of the two recipes (Quick & Easy or the Custard type version), if you do NOT Have an Ice Cream Maker Machine??
- Also I have seen a video re- Making Ice Cream in a Mason Jar (kinda of a fun thing to do with the kids, during March Break), the Recipe calls for 1/2 Tsp. of Vanilla "Extract", ... I was wondering what the equivalent measure would be "if" I substituted Vanilla BEAN vs. Extract ? [ie.) How much of a Vanilla Bean (scraped insides) would be equivalent to a 1/2 Tsp of Vanilla Extract ??] .... Similarly, (unrelated to Ice Cream, but equally as good), I was going to bake some Banana Bread & the recipe calls for 1-Tsp. of Vanilla Extract & I was hoping to substitute Vanilla Bean, but wasn't sure of the equivalent conversion (Bean vs. Extract) ... hope you can help ... THANKS!
Azariah
Egg version. When do you add the vanilla bean and vanilla? Your recipe has it at two different times which is confusing to me. I did it at the end since vanilla seems fragile but wanted to verify.
Debbie
This is a wonderfule vanilla ice cream recipe. Made it with 1 vanilla bean and a pinch of cinnamon extract...it was an excellent pairing with fresh made apple pie.
Getting ready to amke it again, can this recipe be doubled??
thanks
Donna
I love your recipe for the Fattening one, with all the Cream, half and half eggs, Vanilla Bean Paste. This recipe makes the best ice cream in my own opinion. It's much more creamier, and just taste so much better, but all fattening food taste the best anyway. Thank you Melissa...
Barbara K Velasquez
ALL THE RECEIPES LOOK GREAT WHAT ABOUT FRESH PEACH ICECREAM
Kim L
This is delicious! Used my double ice cream maker and followed all directions except tempered eggs with a bit more of warm cream. Can't wait to try with my friend's pie tonight!