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The BEST Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe
I received no measurements but I am pretty used to that. Big Mama cooks and bakes through instinct and has perfected that art. I, however, am a bit more calculated with my process in the kitchen. I am creative and zany with my ideas but just need a bit more structure.
Homemade Vanilla Bean Ice Cream Recipe Ingredients
So I worked on this vanilla ice cream recipe and tried figuring out ratios that would work. And I think I came pretty close. Here are the ingredients that make this recipe super special:
- Egg Yolks and Eggs
- Sugar
- Heavy Cream
- Half and Half
- Vanilla Extract and Vanilla Paste
- Flour
You will notice the large amount of eggs and egg yolks are in this recipe. It makes the custard incredibly scoopable when placed in the freezer for long periods of time. It also makes the custard super indulgent when combined with granulated sugar.
The creaminess of the recipe definitely comes from the addition of both heavy cream and half and half. It makes the custard so rich.
To really punch up the vanilla flavor, I added vanilla bean paste to the original vanilla ice cream recipe to really punch up the vanilla flavor in addition to the vanilla extract. Vanilla extract can sometimes be subtle but the vanilla paste conveniently adds flecks throughout without having to scrape vanilla beans. I love see the flecks of vanilla bean throughout the ice cream, too.
Finally, Big Mama added flour to her vanilla ice cream recipe. She added just a bit to thicken it. It ended up being something super genius that I’ve never seen before.
The only thing that was missing from this vanilla ice cream was Big Mamaโs love so I added a heaping tablespoon of that for good measure.
How to Make Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream
This recipe begins with developing a warm custard over the stove. If you have never tried a custard based ice cream, you will love it. While it takes a bit more time, the results are incredibly creamy and silky.
Adding a hot milk mixture to eggs can be difficult so you must make sure you temper!
Tip 1: You will drip in the hot milk mixture in slow increments and whisk vigorously. You must do this so that the eggs don’t scramble.
After the custard is ready, you will need to cool it. This is a step that most people miss. I have seen all types of mistakes.
Tip 2: Cool Your Custard Completely!
It will need to be completely cold in order to go into your ice cream maker and freeze correctly. If not, you will be making ice cream soup.
This ice cream is definitely one of my favorites. The flavors are completely pure. If you love this one, you will absolutely love my strawberry ice cream as well since it is a variation of this. My Berry Ripple Ice Cream is similar too with just a punch of berry flavor.
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What To Serve with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
- There is nothing like a piece of my Southern Peach Cobbler Recipe along with a scoop of this.
- This Cherries Jubilee is fantastic over vanilla ice cream.
- Speaking of peaches, this Caramel Peach Dump Cake is amazing with this ice cream too.
- If you love chocolate and vanilla, this coca cola cake is incredible!
- A scoop of this over warm my Pineapple Upside Down Cake is also a good move.
- And of course there is nothing like ice cream and pound cake. My cream cheese pound cake is definitely the one to make.
Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe
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Equipment
- Ice Cream Maker Machine
Ingredients
- 3 large large eggs
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 2 cups half and half
- 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons vanilla paste
Instructions
- Beat eggs and egg yolks in a medium sized bowl. Next add sugar to the bowl and whisk together.
- Add heavy cream and half and half to a large saucepan and heat gently; do not let come to a boil.
- Temper eggs by slowly pour 1 cup of hot heavy cream mixture into egg mixture while whisking quickly. This will raise the temperature of the eggs carefully without scrambling them. Then while stirring, pour the tempered egg mixture slowly into the remaining heavy cream mixture in the saucepan.
- Gently heat ice cream base over medium low heat, stirring constantly (especially the corners of the pot), until thickened and reaches 170F on a digital thermometer. The mixture should look silky and coat the back of a spoon so when you run your finger through it, it doesnโt come back together.
- Remove from heat and flour and vanilla.
- Strain through a fine-mesh sieve (to catch any cooked egg pieces) and chill in an ice bath (a bowl set inside of a bowl of ice water) until itโs cooled to room temperature. Then cover with plastic wrap and move into the refrigerator until completely cold, about 2-3 hours.
- Once completely cooled, add your mixture to an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions and freeze.
This looks great! The addition of flour is really unique… I will have to give this a try, it would be great on top of my molten microwave lava cakes!
I love the addition of flour to this. It sounds amazing over the lava cakes!
Nothing better than the classics. Yes please!
I totally agree!
Don’t you just love when people can just throw things together, without measurements and what they produce is perfection every. single. time! I’d love to eat at Big Mamas house! ๐ Love this ice cream!
There’s nothing better than rich and creamy vanilla bean ice cream, and this looks like just that. I love using vanilla bean paste so much more than vanilla beans as it goes further. This looks delicious!
Thank you so much Marcie! Those flecks get me so excited!
omgeee this ice cream is beautious! I love the classic vanilla amped up-and that it was you trying to recreate “Big Mama’s!”
What a great accomplishment to make almost same ice cream flavor! Your family cooking gene is in your blood. ๐ Love homemade ice cream, and your vanilla ice cream looks so delicious! <3
I love vanilla bean flecks in ice cream. Your version looks like it turned out well. I bet it tastes wonderful, especially on top of that pie!
Oh yeah the flecks in the ice cream are so amazing and flavorful!
Shut the front door! Your vanilla ice cream is looks fabulous!
Velva
Ooooo love the vanilla bean! This looks terrific especially on a piece of pie!
Oh yeah, the vanilla bean is incredible!
I love a good vanilla ice cream! This looks so creamy!
It is super creamy Laura!