Classic Vanilla Ice Cream
Classic vanilla ice cream is made with a cooked egg-yolk custard base that gives the finished scoop a rich, creamy consistency. Whole vanilla beans or a good-quality extract provide the flavor. Plan for about 30 minutes on the stove, then churning time and several hours in the freezer before it's ready to serve.
Equipment
- Ice Cream Maker
- Saucepan
- Whisk
- Mixing Bowls
- Strainer
- Spatula
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy cream preferably organic for best flavor
- 1 cup whole milk fresh, ideally organic
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 piece vanilla bean split lengthwise and seeds scraped
- 4 large egg yolks room temperature, free-range preferred
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine 2 cups of heavy cream, 1 cup of whole milk, and 3/4 cup of granulated sugar. Add the vanilla bean seeds and the pod. Warm over medium heat until the edges start to bubble gently, stirring occasionally.
- In a separate mixing bowl, whisk the 4 large egg yolks. Gradually pour a third of the warm cream mixture into the yolks while whisking constantly to temper.
- Return the yolks and cream mixture back to the saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring continuously with a spatula, until the mixture thickens and coats the back of the spoon. It should reach about 170°F (77°C).
- Strain the custard through a fine-mesh strainer into a clean bowl. Stir in 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract. Discard the vanilla pod.
- Chill the custard in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight until thoroughly cold. Once chilled, churn in your ice cream maker according to manufacturer’s instructions.
- Transfer the churned ice cream to an airtight container and freeze for at least 2 hours before serving for a more solid consistency.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, consider infusing the mixture with additional vanilla pods.
- If you don't have an ice cream maker, pour the mixture into a shallow dish, freeze, and stir every 30 minutes until set.
Nutrition
Calories: 643kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 8gFat: 50gSaturated Fat: 30gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 325mgSodium: 64mgPotassium: 224mgSugar: 44gVitamin A: 2093IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 176mgIron: 1mg
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