Old Fashioned Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe

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4.97 from 154 votes
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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!

Creamy Vanilla Custard Ice Cream Recipe from addapinch.com

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

Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

Butter Pecan 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

4.97 from 154 votes
An old fashioned vanilla ice cream recipe that everyone loves! This creamy custard base homemade vanilla ice cream recipe tastes like an ice cream parlor favorite.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 8 servings

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

Yield for recipe as written: 1 quart
This recipe can easily be doubled for a 2-quart ice cream maker or multiplied for a gallon container.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 198kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 141mg | Sodium: 28mg | Potassium: 72mg | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 615IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 65mg | Iron: 0.3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Enjoy!
Robyn xo

Originally published in 2013.

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About Robyn

Robyn Stone is a cookbook author, wife, mom, and passionate home cook. Her tested and trusted recipes give readers the confidence to cook recipes the whole family will love. Robyn has been featured on Food Network, People, Southern Living, and more.

4.97 from 154 votes (37 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Review




560 Comments

  1. GB says:

    So, when you say make according to ice cream maker instructions, you just mean the churning part? You don’t add any additional milk or cream to the recipe,correct?

    1. Robyn Stone says:

      Yes, you are correct.

  2. Cathy says:

    5 stars
    Thanks so much for sharing the ice cream recipe. I had lost mine and this sounds just like it. Happy 4th of July!!!!

    1. Robyn Stone says:

      I’m happy you are giving it a try, Cathy! It’s perfect for summer and so delicious! Thanks – have a wonderful summer and a happy 4th!!! xo

  3. Melissa says:

    Wow turned out perfect. Thanks!

    1. Robyn Stone says:

      So happy you like the ice cream, Melissa! Thanks so much! xo

    2. Cassandra says:

      Hey I’m trying this today!!!?I’ve got an old fashioned ice cream machine!!! The kiddos will have to use there XBOX THUMBS FINGERS and WRISTS to get dessert!!!??

    3. Robyn Stone says:

      That is awesome, Cassandra! I know they will love it!

  4. Brooke says:

    Can you make this with using all whole milk instead of cream?

    1. Robyn Stone says:

      I don’t think you’ll have the desired result using milk as you would if you used cream. Thanks!

  5. Christivie says:

    Yessss eggs really helped it to set! Thanks for the recipe.

    1. Robyn Stone says:

      So happy you enjoyed it! It’s delicious! Thanks so much! xo

  6. Cait says:

    5 stars
    Fantastic recipe. Thank you for sharing. Made it today for my friends here in Sydney Australia.

  7. P Hutchinson says:

    I want to multiply by 4 for gallon freezer. Do I really use 16 egg yolks?

  8. Leslie says:

    I made this on the 4th. So much better than my old recipe.And it’s pretty easy. This is now my permanent go-to recipe. Thank you so much.

  9. B says:

    So I guess the cream goes into the milk? And for those of us without a thermometer, can you give some clues as to the correct temp? milk bubbling around the edges? steam coming off?

  10. Elizabeth brown says:

    5 stars
    Yum yum yummy