Silky Smooth Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

My go-to vanilla ice cream recipe! Real vanilla bean makes this old fashioned homemade ice cream recipe ultra-creamy and delicious. Get the easy tips!

May 24, 2025
By Sarah Chen-Martinez.

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Alright, let's dive into the glorious world of homemade ice cream. ever wondered if you could make ice cream that tastes better than shop-bought? this vanilla ice cream recipe is your ticket.

It's seriously easier than you think.

The Joy of Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

Making ice cream at home? it's a bit like magic. old fashioned homemade ice cream recipes evoke memories of summer days.

This homemade vanilla ice cream recipe is simple, delicious, and totally customizable.

A Taste of Tradition

Home made ice cream has been a classic for generations. think summer picnics and family gatherings. my grandma used to make the best old fashioned ice cream .

She used a homemade ice cream maker we all took turns cranking. it's a taste of nostalgia in every bite.

Is it easy to make at home?

This recipe is medium difficulty. It needs a little patience. The whole process takes about 5 hours, with chilling time included. You will get around 6-8 servings of delicious ice cream.

Why This Recipe Rocks

This recipe uses real vanilla bean. we are talking proper vanilla bean ice cream recipe here. that means the flavour is intense.

The creamy texture will blow your mind. it's perfect for any occasion. serve it with warm apple pie or a decadent chocolate brownie.

You will find this is the best vanilla ice cream you will ever taste.

Let's get to the good stuff, the ingredient list.

Silky Smooth Vanilla Bean Ice Cream Recipe Card

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Preparation time:260 Mins

Cooking time:30 Mins

Servings:6-8 servings

Ingredients:

• 475 ml (2 cups) Heavy Cream
• 235 ml (1 cup) Whole Milk
• 1 Vanilla Bean, split lengthwise and seeds scraped (or 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract, added after cooking)
• 120 g (½ cup + 2 tablespoons) Granulated Sugar
• Pinch of Sea Salt
• 6 Large Egg Yolks

Instructions:

• In the saucepan, combine heavy cream, milk, vanilla bean pod and seeds, sugar, and salt. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until steaming but not boiling. Remove from heat. Cover and let steep for 30 minutes to 1 hour to fully infuse the vanilla flavor.
• In a heatproof bowl, whisk the egg yolks until pale yellow. Slowly drizzle a small amount of the warm cream mixture into the yolks, whisking constantly to temper them (this prevents them from scrambling). Repeat this process, gradually adding more and more of the warm cream until the yolks are warmed through.
• Pour the tempered yolk mixture back into the saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly with a spatula or wooden spoon, scraping the bottom and sides of the pan to prevent sticking. Cook until the custard thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon – a finger drawn across the back of the spoon should leave a clear line. This takes patience!
• Immediately remove the custard from the heat and strain it through a fine-mesh strainer into a clean bowl. This removes any bits of cooked egg and ensures a smooth texture. If using vanilla extract instead of vanilla bean, stir it in now. Place the bowl of custard into the ice bath to rapidly cool it down. Stir occasionally.
• Once the custard is cool to the touch, cover the bowl with plastic wrap, pressing the wrap directly onto the surface of the custard to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld and the custard to fully chill.
• Pour the chilled custard into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer's instructions. This usually takes about 20-30 minutes.
• For a firmer ice cream, transfer the churned ice cream to an airtight container and freeze for another 1-2 hours to harden further.

Ingredients & Equipment: Vanilla Ice Cream Bliss

Alright, so you want to make the best vanilla ice cream recipe ever? Cool! Let's talk about what you'll need. Honestly, it’s not a huge list, but quality matters!

Main Ingredients: The Starry Cast

For this old fashioned homemade ice cream dream, we're talking:

• Heavy Cream: 475ml (2 cups). Get the good stuff, the kind that makes you feel a little naughty. It should be proper, thick, double cream, not the watery stuff.
• Whole Milk: 235ml (1 cup). Full fat is best for that richness. Don't skimp.
• Vanilla Bean: Just one . Split it open, scrape out those glorious seeds. It's the real deal, or you can use a tablespoon of proper vanilla extract, the type from Madagascar. Don't use that cheap imitation stuff.
• Granulated Sugar: 120g (½ cup + 2 tablespoons). Standard white sugar, nothing fancy needed.
• Sea Salt: A pinch, just a tiny pinch. It balances the sweetness.
• Egg Yolks: Six big ones. Get the freshest you can.

When it comes to the vanilla bean , smell it! it should be fragrant and sweet. if it smells dull, it's past its prime.

I once bought some that smelled like cardboard! never again. this is vital if you want to make proper vanilla bean ice cream recipe .

Seasoning Notes: Flavor Boosters

• Vanilla, Vanilla, Vanilla: We're making vanilla ice cream , so vanilla is the star! You can even add a tiny splash of vanilla extract at the end.
• Salt is Your Friend: Don’t skip the salt. It brings out the best vanilla ice cream flavour.
• Enhancers: A tiny splash of bourbon or rum? Go on, live a little!

For substitutions, if you are out of vanilla extract you can try vanilla powder, but the flavour won't be as strong.

Equipment Needed: Keep it Simple

• Saucepan: Heavy-bottomed, to prevent scorching.
• Whisk: For smooth custard action.
• Heatproof Bowl: Stainless steel or glass, for the ice bath.
• Ice Bath: A bowl with ice and water, to cool the custard quickly.
• Fine-Mesh Strainer: To catch any cooked egg bits. No one wants lumpy ice cream!
• Ice Cream Maker: This is essential. A homemade ice cream maker . You can go old-school homemade ice cream recipes machine , or get a fancy one. I swear by my KitchenAid attachment – kitchen aid ice cream recipes are the best!

You don’t need fancy equipment. If you don’t have an ice cream maker, check tutorials online for making homemade ice cream without one.

My first time making home made ice cream , i didn't have a proper strainer! let's just say it wasn't my finest hour.

Learn from my mistakes! a good easy ice cream recipe doesn't have to be hard.

So, gather your ingredients and equipment, and let's get started! you're on your way to the best home made ice cream of your life.

Seriously. this old fashioned ice cream is amazing .

Cooking Up Creamy Dreams: My Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe Adventure

Right, gather 'round, buttercups! we're diving headfirst into making some proper old fashioned homemade ice cream . not that shop-bought stuff, mind you, but the real deal.

This homemade vanilla ice cream recipe is so good, it'll make you wanna slap your nan (affectionately, of course!). i've been tinkering with my vanilla ice cream recipe for years, trying to get that perfect balance of creamy and dreamy, and honestly? i think i've cracked it.

Prep Like a Pro: Getting Your Ducks in a Row

First things first: mise en place , darling. that's fancy for getting all your ingredients ready. it sounds poncy, but it’ll save you a right headache later.

Get your 475 ml (2 cups) heavy cream , 235 ml (1 cup) whole milk , 1 vanilla bean , 120 g (½ cup + 2 tablespoons) granulated sugar , a pinch of salt, and 6 large egg yolks lined up like soldiers.

And don't forget to scrape those vanilla bean seeds!

Next, time-saving tip: chill your ice cream maker bowl now . stick it in the freezer well ahead of time. i nearly forgot once, and it added hours to the process! talking about the homemade ice cream maker , i remember thinking it was a waste of money, until i tried my neighbors amazing homemade ice cream recipes machine , oh my gosh! i needed one!.

Let's Get Churning: Step-by-Step to Ice Cream Bliss

Okay, here's the magic. Get ready for the Best Homemade Ice Cream , because we're about to make it happen.

1. Infuse: gently heat your cream, milk, vanilla bean (pod and seeds!), sugar, and salt until steaming. don't let it boil! then, take it off the heat and let it steep for at least 30 minutes.

   This lets the vanilla really sing.

2. Temper: whisk those egg yolks in a bowl. slowly drizzle in some of the warm cream mixture, whisking like mad.

   This is called tempering, and it stops your eggs from scrambling into a nasty mess.

3. Cook: pour the yolk mixture back into the saucepan and cook over low heat. stir constantly, scraping the bottom, until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.

   This should take about 25- 30 minutes . patience, my friend.

4. Strain & chill: strain the custard through a fine-mesh sieve. it makes it silky smooth. pop it in an ice bath to cool it down quickly.

   Honestly, this step makes a world of difference.

5. Chill Out: Cover the custard with cling film, pressing it onto the surface to stop a skin from forming. Chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours , or ideally overnight.

6. Churn, Baby, Churn: Pour the chilled custard into your ice cream maker and churn away! This usually takes about 20- 30 minutes.

7. Harden (Optional): For a firmer scoop, chuck it in the freezer for an extra hour or two. Now you have some Home Made Ice Cream .

Pro Tips for Ice Cream Perfection

Want that extra edge? here’s my little book of secrets to make this the best vanilla ice cream ever. avoid overcooking the custard, it will cause curdling.

Try tasting the mixture once it has steeped to check the flavor, adjusting any seasonings if needed.

• Vanilla Upgrade: Use a proper Vanilla Bean Ice Cream Recipe for a flavour explosion.

• Cool it Quick: Use an ice bath to cool the custard down fast . It prevents ice crystals from forming.

• Make ahead: this is perfect for making ahead. the custard can happily sit in the fridge for a day or two before churning.

  The key is to add the extract after the cooking process to preserve its flavor.

Honestly, this easy ice cream recipe is such a crowd-pleaser. serve it with a crumble or in a cone, and watch the smiles appear.

I love trying kitchen aid ice cream recipes , this is so satisfying. enjoy your bean ice cream and happy churning!

Alright, let's talk about making this vanilla ice cream recipe even more amazing! think of these notes as your little secret weapons.

This ain't your average home made ice cream , this is the good stuff.

Recipe Notes: Level Up Your Ice Cream Game!

Serving Like a Pro

Presentation, my friends, is everything . got some fancy glasses? use 'em! a simple scoop looks posh in a stemmed glass.

Wanna be extra? add a sprig of mint. fresh berries? yes, please! this best vanilla ice cream deserves to be shown off.

I love pairing it with a warm slice of apple pie. or heck, even just a few chocolate digestives on the side does the trick.

Thinking of drinks? try a crisp glass of prosecco.

Storage Secrets

Right, listen up. immediately after churning, get that old fashioned ice cream into a freezer-safe container. i like the ones with a tight seal.

Keeps it from getting freezer burn. in the fridge, it'll melt real fast. freezer is best! it can last up to 2 weeks.

If you're lucky enough to have any left! to reheat? just let it sit on the counter for a bit to soften.

Not too long though. we don't want a puddle!

Mix It Up, Buttercup!

Fancy something different? this easy ice cream recipe is ripe for customising. how about a vanilla bean ice cream recipe with a dash of cinnamon? or maybe some chopped nuts? making this vegan? no worries! you can sub the cream and milk for coconut milk.

This is a great option for those looking for homemade ice cream recipes machine . just makes sure it's full-fat for the best texture.

This recipe can really be made to fit your dietary needs.

The Good Stuff: Nutrition

Okay, i'm no nutritionist but i know enough to say this homemade vanilla ice cream recipe has some goodness. milk and cream offer calcium.

Great for bones. eggs add protein. vanilla? well, that's good for the soul! but let's be real, it’s ice cream.

Treat yourself! this best homemade ice cream tastes great and makes you feel happy.

So, there you have it! making your own home made ice cream is easier than you thought! go on, give it a go.

Experiment! have fun! and let me know how it turns out, yeah? you might even find the homemade ice cream maker is your new best friend.