Old Fashioned Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe
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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.
Made this today for 4th of July family celebration later today. I increased the servings to 32. I already had a taste and it is the BEST!! Thank you for sharing such a great recipe! My family will enjoy this tasty treat.
Thanks, Wendy. I’m happy you liked the taste of this ice cream. Hope everyone loves it today.
Im not an experienced cook so when I am whisking the eggs and the sugar do I have this on heat??
Carol, you do not have the sugar and eggs on heat when you are whisking them. I hope you enjoy the ice cream.
I was blessed to have learned how to make my Father’s ice cream custard before he passed. He was proud of the first batch I made 7/42020. I wish he was alive to taste this recipe. It was all the rave of the cookout. There was NONE left and I made four times this recipe.
Thanks, VJB, I’m so glad everyone liked this ice cream and am sad your dad is no longer here to be with you.
If I have real vanilla beans, how would I use instead of the vanilla extract?
You would use 1/2 vanilla bean for 1 teaspoons vanilla paste so in this recipe, you would use a whole vanilla bean. You could just cut the vanilla bean in half and scrape out the beans into the custard the same as the vanilla paste. Hope you enjoy!
Best soft serve I’ve ever eaten.
Thanks so much, Vanessa.
Can I use half and half instead of whole milk?
Kyle, I haven’t made this ice cream with half-and-half but others have said they did. I hope you enjoy the ice cream.
Can this also be used as a base for other flavors/mix ins ??
Joe, I usually make this just as vanilla ice cream but you could add other flavors if you wish. I hope you enjoy the ice cream. If you do try other flavors, let me know what you added and how it turns out.
Get the spoon ready! Absolutely delicious. Taking it to work tomorrow to go with homemade apple pie with a mix of apples from an orchard. Actually making more ice cream today .it will not last!
Jeanie, the ice cream and apple pie sound delicious. I’m so glad you enjoy the ice cream recipe.
This is an amazing recipe!!!! Not much prep work absolutely the most delicious ice cream we’ve ever had
Jackie, I’m thrilled you love this ice cream. It has been a favorite in our family for years.
Perfect every time and is a crowd pleaser. Reminds me of when my mom made ice cream in the 90’s.
I need to make a large batch, can I just double it?!
Anna, you can just double the recipe. I’m so glad you enjoy the ice cream.
Thank you!