About this recipe

Rich, creamy, and deeply aromatic — this is the vanilla ice cream you remember. Made with a proper custard base of egg yolks, heavy cream, and whole milk, it churns into a silky, scoopable dream with a pure vanilla flavor that no store-bought pint can match. It's a timeless recipe that's straightforward once you understand the custard technique, and it's endlessly versatile as a base for mix-ins, sundaes, or simply enjoyed in a cone.

Instructions

1. 1

   At least 24 hours before churning, place the bowl of your ice cream maker in the Ziploc bag (Pint size) to freeze completely. This step is critical for proper churning.

2. 2

   In a saucepan, combine the heavy cream, milk, half the granulated sugar (6 tablespoons), the vanilla bean, and scraped vanilla seeds. Set over ^[medium heat] and warm, stirring occasionally, until the mixture just begins to steam and small bubbles form around the edges — do not boil. Remove from heat.

3. 3

   In a mixing bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and remaining 6 tablespoons of granulated sugar until the mixture is pale, thick, and ribbony, about 2 minutes.

4. 4

   Temper the eggs: very slowly pour about 1 cup of the hot cream mixture into the egg yolks mixture in a thin, steady stream, whisking constantly. This gradually raises the temperature of the eggs without scrambling them. Then pour the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining heavy cream.

5. 5

   Return the saucepan to ^[medium-low heat]. Cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or spatula, until the custard thickens enough to coat the back of the spoon and reaches %[170–175°F] on a meat thermometer. Do not let it boil. This takes about 5–8 minutes.

6. 6

   Immediately pour the custard through a sieve into a clean mixing bowl to remove the vanilla bean and any cooked egg bits. Stir in the vanilla extract and fine sea salt. Let cool for 10 minutes at room temperature.

7. 7

   Press a sheet of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the custard to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight. The custard must be completely cold before churning — this is key to a smooth, creamy result.

8. 8

   Pour the chilled custard into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer's instructions, typically 20–25 minutes, until it reaches a soft-serve consistency.

9. 9

   Transfer the churned ice cream to a airtight container. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface, seal with a lid, and freeze for at least 2 hours until firm and scoopable. For best texture, let it sit at room temperature for 3–5 minutes before scooping.