Classic French Vanilla Ice Cream
French vanilla ice cream gets its rich flavor and pale yellow color from an egg-yolk custard base cooked with real vanilla bean before churning. The process takes a couple of hours including chilling time, plus a few hours in the freezer to firm up. It also works well as a base for sundaes, affogatos, or alongside warm desserts.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy cream Preferably organic and fresh
- 1 cup whole milk Full-fat for rich flavor
- ¾ cup granulated sugar Fine quality
- 1 whole vanilla bean Split lengthwise and seeds scraped
- 5 large egg yolks Room temperature
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract High quality
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the heavy cream, whole milk, and granulated sugar. Stir continuously until the sugar dissolves and the mixture begins to steam—do not let it boil.
- Add the vanilla bean and its seeds to the saucepan, allowing the flavors to meld for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and cover, letting it infuse for 15 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks until pale. Slowly pour the warm cream mixture into the yolks, whisking constantly to prevent curdling.
- Return the mixture to the saucepan on low heat, stirring constantly for about 6-8 minutes until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Do not let it boil to prevent scrambling.
- Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Cool to room temperature, remove the vanilla bean, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours (or overnight for best results).
- Churn the mixture in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions. Transfer the soft ice cream to an airtight container and freeze until firm, about 2 hours.
Notes
For an extra touch of flair, consider dusting freshly grated nutmeg over your ice cream before serving, adding a hint of spice that complements the creamy vanilla.
Nutrition
Calories: 438kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 6gFat: 34gSaturated Fat: 20gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 248mgSodium: 44mgPotassium: 153mgSugar: 29gVitamin A: 1436IUVitamin C: 0.5mgCalcium: 121mgIron: 0.5mg
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