Spring arrived early here in the South. Actually, some days already feel like summer. Temperatures are in the mid-80′s which means flip-flop season had begun. Or should I say sandal season? Either way it is toes out time. The warm weather also gave me a craving for ice cream. I want something to cool down after mowing the lawn or tending to the garden. A few spoonfuls of a frozen treat sure does the trick.
Ice cream has always meant summer to me. My parents would make it for dessert at our family summer dinners. My father, uncle, brother, and everyone would take turns churning it. It was one of the ice cream makers with a hand crank. I also remember my parents getting an electric model as soon as one was available. It was a whole lot easier only having to add ice and rock salt while sitting and watching it churn all by itself.
My first ice cream maker was one like my parents. It served me well for a long time but was later replaced. I now have one with a bowl you freeze
Vanilla bean ice cream is the first batch for this season. The caramel sauce in my fridge was begging to be put on something. It would also be fantastic with my apple dumplings. The recipe is a result of combining about four different ones and years of making ice cream. It has the right texture and does not become rock hard once it is stored in the freezer.
What is your favorite ice cream flavor? I would like your ideas and suggestions for new ones to make. The season has just begun and I am ready to fill it with all kinds of tasty ice cream.
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- 1 1/2 cups half-and-half
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 vanilla bean
- 2 eggs + 1 egg yolk
- 1 cup white sugar
Using a pairing knife, split the vanilla bean in half length-wise and scrap out the seeds. In a saucepan over medium heat, bring the half-and-half and whipping cream to a simmer (do not boil). Add the vanilla seeds and pod to the pan. Cover pan, remove from heat, and let sit for 30 minutes.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, egg yolk, and sugar until lighter in color. Use a ladel to add a little of the cream to the eggs/sugar and whisk to combine. Continue adding cream until at least half has been mixed with the eggs. Add the eggs/cream mixture back to the pan and whisk to combine.
Over medium heat, cook the mixture until it reaches 170 to 175 degrees F, stirring constantly. Pour the mixture through a strainer into a medium bowl. Cover the mixture directly on top with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming. Cool to room temperature. Once it has cooled, place it in the refrigerator to chill overnight.
Pour chilled mixture into an ice cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer's instructions. Transfer ice cream to a container and place it in the freezer for at least one hour or overnight. Enjoy!
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
sounds great! i love mint chocolate chip ice cream, or i’m partial to dulce to leche, a flavor i first tried in south america. so good!
Mmmm, dulce de leche ice cream sounds really yummy. I will have to try making it. Thank you for the suggestion.
Better not let Thomas see this post!
It is okay, you know I would make a batch for him if he asked for it.
Only in the last few years has simple vanilla bean become my absolute FAVORITE flavor. A real, true, smooth vanilla. MMMMM, I would gobble up this entire batch!
It is smooth and very vanilla. My husband will eat the whole batch in a few days. He was so happy when I said it was ready to eat.
Hi Renee!
I like your ice cream recipe and have saved it for my next ice-cream making session. It looks delicious!
Thank you!
You make me wanna take up icecream making. This looks incredible!
Thank you Sofie!
I just love homemade ice cream and vanilla is so special. I don’t have one of the new ice cream machines…I stop and stare at them but now I think I must get one. Thanks for the tip of letting the mixture cool overnight.
Thanks Karen. Letting the mixture cool overnight really helps get the right texture. I hope you get an ice cream maker soon so you can make your own.
I could eat a tub of that homemade delicious ice cream.
“Happy Cooking”
My hubby and I decided it was time to get a ice cream maker:-) This looks sooooo delicious! I love this time of the year:-) Take care, Terra
How would you get salt water in your ice cream? Lol.
By not paying attention and having the drain hole become blocked on the old-fashioned type ice cream makers. The salt water would rise and seep into the container of the ice cream.
Oh my, does this ever sound tasty!! My husband is a vanilla fiend, he would love this. Now I need an ice-cream maker!
Thank you Sasha. You should get an ice cream maker. It is something that once you make your own ice cream you will not want store-bought again.
Thank you for the recipe. My order of vanilla beans just arrived today and I bought the icecream maker attachment- its been sitting in my freezer overnight. So I plan on making the mixture tonight and making it tomorrow. So excited!!!
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