Making homemade ice cream is a fun and rewarding process, and with this French Vanilla Ice Cream recipe, you’re in for a treat! This custard-based ice cream is rich, creamy, and guaranteed to please even the most die-hard vanilla skeptics.
Let’s dive into how to create this delicious, smooth treat from scratch.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 3/4 cup (150 grams) granulated sugar, divided
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 vanilla bean, split in half lengthwise and seeded
- 4 large egg yolks
Step-By-Step Guide to Making French Custard Vanilla Ice Cream
1. Prepare an Ice Bath
Start by filling a large bowl with ice cubes and a cup or two of water. Place a medium bowl fitted with a fine strainer inside the ice bath, then set it aside.
2. Begin the Custard Base
In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, cream, 1/2 cup of sugar, salt, vanilla seeds, and vanilla pod. Set over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is warm and begins to steam (about 5 minutes).
3. How to Temper Eggs for Ice Cream
Dear Lykkers, tempering the eggs ensures that the yolks heat gently, preventing them from scrambling and turning your ice cream into an unappetizing mess.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar until well combined and lightened in color.
Carefully ladle half of the warm milk mixture into the egg yolks, whisking constantly, until the egg mixture is gently warmed.
Slowly whisk the egg-milk mixture back into the saucepan.
4. Cook the Custard
Now it’s time to cook the custard:
Over medium heat, cook the mixture, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until it thickens enough to coat the back of the spoon and registers around 175°F (about 5 to 7 minutes).
Be cautious not to let the mixture boil, as this will result in scrambled eggs. Use an instant-read thermometer to check the temperature, ensuring it doesn’t touch the bottom of the pan.
5. Chill the Custard
Immediately strain the mixture through the fine strainer into the prepared ice bath. This helps to stop the cooking process.
Discard the vanilla pod.
Stir the custard often as it cools in the ice bath until it reaches room temperature.
Press plastic wrap against the surface of the custard and refrigerate until chilled, about 4 hours or up to 1 day. For the best results, refrigerating overnight is recommended.
6. Churn the Custard
Once chilled, it’s time to churn the custard:
Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Transfer to an airtight container and cover the ice cream surface with plastic wrap before placing the lid on.
Freeze until the ice cream is firm and the flavor is fully developed, at least 2 hours.
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What is the Difference Between French vs. Philadelphia-style Ice Cream?
French-style Ice Cream:
Custard-based and made with an egg custard that is cooked and fully chilled before churning.
This method takes more time and effort, but the result is ultra-rich, creamy, and smooth.
Without stabilizers, the custard helps create a velvety texture.
Philadelphia-style Ice Cream:
Made by directly mixing cream, milk, sugar, and flavorings then churning it.
Faster, but not as rich or creamy as French-style ice cream.
This type hardens more quickly in the freezer.
Homemade Ice Cream Flavor Variations
Experiment with different flavors to make your ice cream even more exciting. Here are a few options:
Chocolate Ice Cream:
Try this chocolate ice cream recipe for a rich and decadent treat.
White Chocolate Ice Cream:
Add 6 ounces of melted and cooled white chocolate to the warmed milk mixture before adding the eggs.
Cookies & Cream:
Add 1 1/2 cups of chopped Oreo cookies during the last 5 minutes of churning.
Mint Chocolate Chip:
Add 1 teaspoon peppermint extract and mini chocolate chips during churning.
Malted Vanilla:
Add 1/2 cup of malted milk powder with the milk and cream.
Cherry Ice Cream:
Increase the egg yolks to 5. After cooking, stir in sweet dark cherries and purée the mixture.
Now that you’ve mastered making French-style ice cream, feel free to experiment with these flavor variations and enjoy your homemade creation!
