After lots of testing (and tasting), I've found that eggs are the key to making a smooth and creamy vanilla custard at home that rival...
Best Ever Vanilla Custard Ice Cream
After lots of testing (and tasting), I've found that eggs are the key to making a smooth and creamy vanilla custard at home that rivals what you can get at a premium ice cream shop. —Peggy Woodward, Shullsburg, Wisconsin
Total Time
Prep: 15 min. + chilling Process: 25 min./batch + freezing
Makes
4.5 cups
Ingredients
2 cups heavy whipping cream
2 cups 2% milk
3/4 cup sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 vanilla bean
6 large egg yolks
Directions
In a large heavy saucepan, combine cream, milk, sugar and salt. Split vanilla bean in half lengthwise. With a sharp knife, scrape seeds into pan; add bean. Heat cream mixture over medium heat until bubbles form around sides of pan, stirring to dissolve sugar.
In a small bowl, whisk a small amount of the hot mixture into the egg yolks; return all to the pan, whisking constantly. Cook over low heat until mixture is just thick enough to coat a metal spoon and temperature reaches 180°, stirring constantly. Do not allow to boil. Immediately transfer to a bowl.
Place bowl in a pan of ice water. Stir gently and occasionally for 2 minutes; discard vanilla bean. Press waxed paper onto surface of custard. Refrigerate several hours or overnight.
Fill cylinder of ice cream freezer two-thirds full; freeze according to the manufacturer’s directions. (Refrigerate remaining mixture until ready to freeze.) Transfer ice cream to a freezer container; freeze for 4-6 hours or until firm. Repeat with remaining mixture.
Best Ever Vanilla Custard Ice Cream Tips
Can I make this without an ice cream maker?
Yes, after chilling the custard overnight, pour into a frozen 13x9-in. dish. Cover and freeze for 30 minutes. Beat with a hand mixer until smooth; return to the freezer. Repeat the process, beating every 30 minutes or until desired consistency.
What other variations can I make?
Cookies & Cream Ice Cream: After freezing in an ice cream freezer, layer 1 cup crushed Oreo cookies with ice cream in a freezer container; freeze until firm.
Chocolate Ice Cream: Melt 2 cups semisweet chocolate; cool to room temperature. Whisk melted chocolate into egg yolks before whisking a small amount of hot cream mixture into yolks. Proceed with recipe as directed.
Strawberry Ice Cream: In a small bowl, crush 2 cups sliced fresh strawberries with 1/4 cup sugar. Stir into cooked custard as it cools in a pan of ice water. Proceed with recipe as directed.
