Silky Smooth Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Craving the *best* homemade ice cream recipe? My silky smooth vanilla bean version is a total game-changer! Custard-based for that proper creamy texture. Get the recipe!

June 2, 2025
By Olivia.

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Recipe Introduction: Get Your Scoop On!

Fancy a bit of summer in a bowl? who doesn't, eh? this homemade ice cream recipe is about to become your new best friend.

Forget the shop-bought stuff, we're talking proper, creamy, melt-in-your-mouth goodness.

A Taste of Tradition: Vanilla Custard Ice Cream Ahoy!

This easy vanilla ice cream homemade is inspired by the classic custard ice cream recipes of yesteryear. you know, the kind your nan used to make, only a bit quicker.

It's a nod to tradition but totally doable on a weeknight. this gives you that classic, velvety flavour.

It's medium difficulty, mainly because you need to keep an eye on the custard, about 4 hours and gives you about 6-8 servings.

Perfect for a family gathering, or, let's be honest, a solo netflix binge!

Why This Ice Cream Rocks: Creamy Dreamy Goodness

Honestly, the best bit? this homemade ice cream is all about the flavour and texture. no weird additives, just pure, unadulterated vanilla bean bliss.

Plus, making your own means you control the ingredients! it's homemade vanilla icecream perfection. a true gem among homemade ice-cream recipes .

I learned years ago from my auntie pat.

Imagine serving this best homemade ice cream at your next summer barbecue. people will think you're some kind of dessert wizard.

I swear, this recipe is practically magic. no need to seek out homemade old fashion vanilla ice cream recipes because this modern version still contains a nod to the way it used to be.

Ready to dive in? Let's get this easy ice cream recipe started. First, let's gather our ingredients!

Alright, let's talk about what you'll need to get this amazing homemade ice cream recipe going! trust me, it's easier than you think, even if it sounds a bit fancy pants at first.

Silky Smooth Vanilla Bean Ice Cream Recipe Card

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Preparation time:260 Mins

Cooking time:20 Mins

Servings:6-8 servings

Ingredients:

• 2 cups (473 ml) heavy cream
• 1 cup (237 ml) whole milk
• 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
• 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise and seeds scraped (reserve pod)
• Pinch of salt
• 6 large egg yolks

Instructions:

• Combine heavy cream, milk, sugar, vanilla bean (pod and seeds), and salt in a saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved and the mixture is steaming, but not boiling.
• In a heat-safe bowl, whisk egg yolks until slightly lightened. Slowly drizzle a small amount (about 1/4 cup) of the hot cream mixture into the yolks, whisking constantly to prevent curdling. Repeat this process, adding a little more hot cream each time until the yolks are tempered.
• Pour the tempered yolk mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining cream. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly with a spatula or wooden spoon, until the custard thickens enough to coat the back of the spoon and leaves a clear line when a finger is drawn through it. This should be around 170-175°F (77-79°C).
• Immediately strain the custard through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl (to remove any cooked egg bits or remaining vanilla bean pod). Place the bowl in an ice bath and stir frequently until the custard is completely cooled. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight.
• Pour the chilled custard into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer's instructions. The ice cream should be soft-serve consistency.
• Transfer the churned ice cream to an airtight container and freeze for at least 2 hours to harden to a scoopable consistency.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:350 calories

Fat:25g

Fiber:0g

Recipe Info

Category:Dessert

Cuisine:American

Ingredients: The Cream of the Crop

Here's the lowdown on the stars of our Easy Vanilla Ice Cream Homemade show. We're talking about making a proper custard base, yeah?

Main Players

• Heavy Cream: 2 cups (that's about 473 ml for you metric folks). Go for the good stuff here. Proper thick, double cream is what you want. None of that watery nonsense. The better the cream, the creamier the ice cream, simple innit?
• Whole Milk: 1 cup ( 237 ml ). Full fat is the way to go. It adds to that lovely richness.
• Granulated Sugar: ¾ cup ( 150g ). Standard white sugar. It dissolves nicely and gives us the sweetness we need.
• Vanilla Bean: 1 , split lengthwise and seeds scraped. Honestly, this makes ALL the difference. Ditch the extract for this one if you can. The aroma is just incredible.
• Pinch of Salt: Just a little, like ⅛ teaspoon . Don't skip it. It enhances the sweetness, like a cheeky little flavour amplifier.
• Egg Yolks: 6 large . These are what give us that silky smooth, custard-y texture. We only want the yolks, so get separating!

Seasoning Notes

Now, about those flavour enhancers... For this Homemade Old Fashion Vanilla Ice Cream Recipes , it's all about the vanilla, really. But if you're feeling adventurous:

• A dash of almond extract can add a lovely subtle background flavour. But go easy, yeah? It's powerful stuff.
• A tiny bit of nutmeg grated into the mixture gives a warm, cozy vibe.
• For a Home Made Strawberry Ice Cream Recipes twist, swap out the vanilla bean and stir in about 1 cup of fresh, chopped strawberries after churning. Hello summer! For Easy Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream , remember fresh is best for the strawberry flavour!

Honestly, the vanilla is the main event. i love to use vanilla bean paste if i'm feeling lazy. but the flavor from a fresh bean makes this the best homemade ice cream i know.

Kit Out Your Kitchen: Equipment Essentials

Right, now for the tools of the trade. Don't panic, you probably have most of this already. We're not building a spaceship, just making Homemade Ice Cream Recipes Machine .

• Saucepan: A heavy-bottomed one is best, to prevent scorching. Just a regular pan will do though.
• Whisk: For whisking! (Duh!).
• Heat-safe bowl: Glass or stainless steel. You'll need this for tempering the eggs.
• Ice bath: A big bowl filled with ice and water. This stops the custard cooking and keeps it smooth. I use my washing up bowl!
• Fine-mesh sieve: To strain the custard and get rid of any little bits of cooked egg. Nobody wants scrambled egg in their ice cream!
• Ice cream maker: Obviously! I have a Cuisinart Ice Cream maker. but any electric or hand-crank one will do the trick.
• Freezer-safe container: To store your delicious Homemade Ice-cream Recipes . A Tupperware box is perfect.

Common Alternatives

Don't have all the fancy stuff? Don't worry!

• No ice cream maker? Check out my Vanilla No Churn Ice Cream recipe. It's a total breeze!
• A regular bowl and a good old-fashioned spoon will work just fine. It might take a little longer, but it's a great arm workout!

Remember when my old ice cream maker packed it in mid-churn? nightmare! i ended up finishing it off by hand, stirring every 30 minutes.

It was hard work, but the ice cream was still amazing! and that's the most important thing, innit?. now you're ready to make some easy homemade ice cream .

Alright, let's dive into the creamy world of homemade ice cream recipe ! honestly, who doesn’t love a good scoop on a sunny day? forget the shop-bought stuff, we're making it proper.

Let's make something special.

Prep Like a Pro for Your Easy Vanilla Ice Cream Homemade

First things first, let's get our ducks in a row, shall we? this is all about mise en place , that fancy french term for getting everything prepped.

So, measure out your ingredients. this prevents last-minute faffing. scrape that vanilla bean! remember safety. don't burn yourself when heating the custard! now you are ready for your easy homemade strawberry ice cream.

Getting Down to Business: Step-by-Step Homemade Old Fashion Vanilla Ice Cream Recipes

Here's how to turn those ingredients into Homemade Vanilla Icecream magic:

1. Infuse your cream with vanilla . Warm your heavy cream (2 cups), milk (1 cup), sugar (3/4 cup), vanilla bean, and a pinch of salt in a pan. Don't boil!
2. Temper the egg yolks. Gently whisk some hot cream into your six egg yolks. This prevents scrambled eggs.
3. Cook the custard. Pour the yolk mixture back into the pan. Cook on low heat. Stir constantly until it coats the back of a spoon. It should reach around 170- 175° F .
4. Chill it, mate! Strain the custard through a sieve. Pop it in an ice bath to cool it quickly. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Overnight is even better.
5. Churn Baby Churn: Follow your Ice Cream Maker Recipes and churn that custard. You want a soft-serve consistency. If you are using your Ice Cream Recipes Machine or a Cuisinart Ice Cream , pay attention to the manufacturer’s instructions.
6. Harden it up. Transfer your churned ice cream to a container. Freeze for a few more hours. This gets you that perfect scoop-able texture. If you want it with strawberry you can follow the steps for the Strawberry Ice Cream Recipe and turn it into a Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream.

Pro Tips for the Best Homemade Ice Cream

• Don't rush the custard. Low and slow is the key. Honestly, patience is everything.
• If you are thinking "Can I make it ahead?" You can prep the custard a day or two in advance. It's a proper time saver.
• Avoid over-churning. Nobody likes grainy Custard Ice Cream . Stop when it's soft-serve.

I remember once, i got distracted and nearly curdled my custard. oh my gosh, the horror! luckily, i caught it just in time.

Now i set a timer. try this for your homemade vanilla ice cream recipe and you wont regret.

Fancy some other flavours? how about homemade strawberry ice-cream recipes ? or maybe even a vanilla no churn ice cream for those days you can't be bothered with the machine? honestly, the possibilities are endless.

Why not trying a 3 ingredient no churn ice cream ? or a churn ice cream recipes homemade no eggs ?

Alright, let's dive into some extra bits for your homemade ice cream recipe , shall we? I promise this ain't just your run-of-the-mill stuff. We're going proper gourmet, yeah?

Recipe Notes: Making Your Ice Cream Dreams a Reality

So, you've got the basics down. Now, let's finesse it, shall we? I am all about that Easy Vanilla Ice Cream Homemade and Home Made Strawberry Ice Cream Recipes , here are some key hints for perfect home made ice cream every time!

Serving like a Pro: Plating and Presentation

Honestly, presentation is half the battle! think about layering your best homemade ice cream in a sundae glass with some crumbled cookies and hot fudge.

Or, go all fancy and serve a scoop alongside a warm slice of apple crumble. for summer, try a vibrant homemade strawberry ice cream in a waffle cone! it's all about the "wow" factor.

A scoop of homemade old fashion vanilla ice cream recipes on top of a warm brownie. oh my gosh.

Storage Secrets: Keeping it Fresh

Right, so you've made a batch of homemade vanilla ice cream without maker , and now you need to store it.

Pop it into an airtight container. this is key to avoiding freezer burn. it can last up to a week or two.

Freezing options ? sure thing! just make sure it's properly sealed. reheating? well, you don't really "reheat" ice cream, do you? just let it sit out for a few minutes to soften before scooping.

Variations: Get Creative!

Fancy a change from the easy homemade ice cream ? how about a dairy-free version? use coconut cream! need something lighter? swap some of the cream for milk.

The key is to experiment. for a seasonal twist, chuck in some fresh berries in summer or a bit of spiced apple puree in autumn.

Think of all the homemade ice-cream recipes you can create with variations!

Nutrition Nitty-Gritty: A Little Bit of Knowledge

Look, let's be real. this ice cream maker recipes isn't exactly a health food! but, let's break it down. you're getting calcium from the dairy.

Just remember to enjoy it in moderation. think of it as a treat, not a daily necessity. plus, if you make vanilla no churn ice cream or even a 3 ingredient no churn ice cream , you control the ingredients!

Making homemade vanilla ice cream recipe can seem a bit daunting at first, but trust me, it's so worth it.

A strawberry ice cream recipe from scratch is divine. honestly, there's nothing quite like that first spoonful of your very own creation, especially when you’ve gone all out with a custard ice cream base! so, get your apron on, give it a go, and don't be afraid to make a bit of a mess.

You know you wanna try the easy homemade strawberry ice cream . go on, you got this!