Old Fashioned Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
An old fashioned vanilla ice cream recipe that everyone loves! This creamy custard base homemade vanilla ice cream recipe is made from five ingredients and is even better than an ice cream parlor favorite!
Vanilla ice creams come in more varieties than you might think! It’s made with five simple ingredients and turns into such a rich, creamy, delicious and decadent ice cream. Just look at those real vanilla bean specks!
It’s an old fashioned vanilla ice cream recipe that was passed down from my aunt many years ago. It’s a custard base that tastes even better than the best ice cream parlor ice cream you’ve ever had.
I enjoy my other types of ice cream recipes too. But when I want the most creamy, most vanilla, best vanilla ice cream, this one is it!
Old Fashioned Vanilla Ice Cream
My family has always loved making ice cream in the summer. It gets really hot here in the south and enjoying homemade ice cream with family and friends is so much fun! I make many different ice cream flavors and recipes, but as far as vanilla goes it’s this velvety, old fashioned custard type ice cream or my two ingredient No Churn Vanilla.
How to Make this Vanilla Ice Cream
To make this ice cream, you will need these ingredients:
- Egg yolks
- Sugar
- Whole Milk
- Heavy Cream
- Vanilla Bean Paste or Vanilla Extract
Make the Ice Cream Custard
Start by adding the egg yolks and sugar to a medium saucepan. Whisk the until it’s a light yellow color and is well combined.
In another small sauce pan, heat the whole milk over medium-low heat until it just begins to simmer. Do not stir the milk.
Then gradually add the heated milk to the pan with the egg and sugar mixture and stir constantly. Return the combined mixture to heat until it reaches 165º F, but do not allow it to come to a boil. As soon as it reaches the correct temperature, remove it from the heat.
Pour custard base into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator until it chills to 65º F. The longer the custard base chills, the creamier your ice cream will be.
Finish With Ice Cream Maker
Once the custard base is ready, stir in the heavy cream and vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract). Then, pour it into your ice cream maker and process according to your ice cream maker’s instructions.
Scoop and Enjoy!
This is perfect for ice cream cones! Although I happily enjoy it in a bowl if cones aren’t around. The scoops hold up well and don’t immediately begin melting the moment they are scooped onto the cone.
How Much Ice Cream Does this Make?
This recipe makes 1 quart as written.
Can this Recipe be Multiplied?
Yes! You can easily double this recipe for a 2 quart ice cream maker. It can easily be multiplied for a gallon container too!
The Two Types of Vanilla Ice Cream
Both this old fashioned ice cream and my no churn ice cream have their places in my ice cream making life. They are both incredibly delicious, easy to make and I make them both often.
More Ice Cream Recipes
No Churn Chocolate Ice Cream and Chocolate Ice Cream
Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
And so many more ice creams to love!
Here’s my Old Fashioned Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe. I hope you enjoy it as much as my family does!
Old Fashioned Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 egg yolks
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, or vanilla bean paste
Instructions
- Add egg yolks and sugar to a medium saucepan and whisk until a light yellow color and well combined. In another small sauce pan, heat milk over medium-low heat until it just begins to simmer. Do not stir. Gradually add milk to egg and sugar mixture, stirring constantly. Return to heat until it reaches 165º F, but do not allow it to come to a boil. As soon as it reaches the correct temperature, remove it from the heat. Pour custard base into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator until it chills to 65º F. The longer the custard base chills, the creamier your ice cream will be.
- Once the custard base is ready, stir in the heavy cream and vanilla extract and pour it into your ice cream maker and process according to your ice cream maker’s instructions.
Notes
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Enjoy!
Robyn xo
Originally published in 2013.
So, being new to the “tempering” world, my eggs “scrambled” HOWEVER…my ice cream turned out quite delicious and creamy. I will use this recipe as my Go To. Thank you for sharing this with the world!!
Sorry about the eggs, Jen, but so glad you liked the ice cream. Thanks!
I’m on a keto diet can I use 2 cups of heavy cream instead of milk?
Amanda,
I haven’t tried this recipe with only heavy cream so not sure how it would be.
Best ice cream ever!! Made a few changes (combined yours and the ice cream maker’s recipe in booklet) and it turned out heavenly!!
Your recipe made more sense in the way it was combined and prepared.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Marie! xo
Super excited to try this out! How long can I keep it in liquid form before putting in a machine would you think?
Thanks!!
Hi Robyn. Is it important to cool it to only 65 degrees? If you leave it in the fridge for longer it will obviously get much colder than that.
Hi Thomas,
You will store in the refrigerator until it chills to 65º F. The longer the custard base chills, the creamier your ice cream will be. Enjoy!
Great recipe. I tweaked it a little… I am on a low carb diet but I LOVE ICE CREAM. So, I used your recipe but changed the milk to 1/2 heavy whipping cream 1/2 water and I used 16 packets of truvia instead of sugar. It tastes great! I made it without an ice cream maker by putting the ice cream mixture into a quart bag then placing the quart bag into a gallon bag filled with ice and salt. Shake shake shake for about 10 minutes then put it in the freezer for about 1 hour. Now it’s amazing ice cream.
I am so glad your substitutions worked so well and that you enjoy it, Alex! Nothing like some creamy, delicious ice cream! Thanks! xo
Can this be made without the ice cream maker?I don’t have one, sadly 🙁
Lucas,
This one does require an ice cream maker, but you may like my No Churn Vanilla Ice Cream recipe. No ice cream maker needed for that one! Enjoy!
Oh my goodnessssss! A MILLION THANK YOU’S! THIS IS AMAZING!
Awesome recipe. Made a batchaikovsky today. Wow. Never buying ice cream again. Quick and easy to follow. And extremely creaamy and tasty. Family just loves it….next is strawberry and chocolate flavour.
Thank you…
Glad you liked it, Faeeda! Thanks!
I don’t have an ice cream maker. Can I use the method using a hand mixer? Thanks.
I’ve not tried that method, but you will need an ice cream maker for this recipe, Mik.
You may want to try my No Churn Vanilla Ice Cream . Thanks!