Homemade Vanilla Bean Ice Cream Recipe

Even though it is not as popular as it once was, vanilla ice cream is still a favorite for many Americans. The typical American eats about 13 pounds of vanilla ice cream per year. If you would rather not have to go to the store or an ice cream shop, you can make your own vanilla ice cream at home. If you want to make it even tastier, you can add fruit, nuts, chocolate chips, and other add-ins.

Ingredients:

4 egg yolks
1 ¼ cups white sugar
½ teaspoon salt
4 cups milk (whole, 2%, or skim)
2 cups heavy cream
3 vanilla beans, split and scraped

Directions:

Whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, and salt in a medium bowl and then set aside.

Combine the milk, cream, and vanilla in a large saucepan and cook over medium-high heat until the mixture begins to bubble around the edges. Remove the pan from the stove, cover, and let it sit for 10 minutes. Pour the mixture through a mesh strainer. Press the vanilla beans through the strainer to enhance the flavor of the ice cream. Return the liquid to the pan and discard the solids.

Slowly pour some of the warm liquid into the egg mixture. Whisk to combine, then pour the mixture into the saucepan with the rest of the milk mixture. Cook the mixture over medium-low heat for two minutes, whisking continuously, then remove from the heat.

Pour the mixture into a bowl. Refrigerate until it has cooled completely, then pour it into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Transfer the ice cream to an airtight container, cover with plastic wrap, and freeze for several hours.

If this seems like too much work, you can stop in at Praline’s and try some of our delicious vanilla ice cream. We also have a menu full of other flavors and tasty toppings you and your family are sure to love.