Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
Photo: Annabelle Breakey; Styling: Karen Shinto
Studded with vanilla seeds, this ice cream has intense flavor.
Prep and Cook Time: 1 hour, plus at least 6 hours of chilling and freezing time. Notes: You'll need an ice cream maker with a 2-qt. capacity.
How to Make It
Step 1
1
Split vanilla beans lengthwise and scrape out seeds. In a 4-qt. saucepan over medium heat, bring cream, milk, and vanilla seeds and pods to a simmer.
Step 2
2
Remove cream mixture from heat and let steep 20 minutes. Meanwhile, put egg yolks, sugar, and salt in the bowl of a standing mixer and whisk at medium-high speed until mixture is thick and pale yellow, 2 to 3 minutes.
Step 3
3
Return cream mixture to medium heat and bring just to a simmer. Remove from heat and pour through a strainer into a clean bowl; discard vanilla pods. With mixer running on medium speed, pour 1/2 cup cream mixture into egg mixture. Slowly drizzle in remaining cream mixture, continuing to mix as you go.
Step 4
4
Pour this custard into saucepan. Return to stove and cook over low to medium-low heat, stirring with a wooden spoon, until custard thickens a bit and reaches 170° on a thermometer. Pay close attention to the temperature: At 180°, it will begin to curdle.
Step 5
5
Pour custard into a bowl; stir in vanilla and set bowl in an ice bath (a larger bowl of ice and cold water). Let cool, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour and up to 1 day.
Step 6
6
Freeze custard in an ice cream maker according to manufacturer's instructions. Transfer to an airtight plastic container and freeze until hardened, at least 5 hours.
Ingredients
2 vanilla beans
2 cups heavy cream
2 cups whole milk
7 egg yolks
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Directions
Step 1
1
Split vanilla beans lengthwise and scrape out seeds. In a 4-qt. saucepan over medium heat, bring cream, milk, and vanilla seeds and pods to a simmer.
Step 2
2
Remove cream mixture from heat and let steep 20 minutes. Meanwhile, put egg yolks, sugar, and salt in the bowl of a standing mixer and whisk at medium-high speed until mixture is thick and pale yellow, 2 to 3 minutes.
Step 3
3
Return cream mixture to medium heat and bring just to a simmer. Remove from heat and pour through a strainer into a clean bowl; discard vanilla pods. With mixer running on medium speed, pour 1/2 cup cream mixture into egg mixture. Slowly drizzle in remaining cream mixture, continuing to mix as you go.
Step 4
4
Pour this custard into saucepan. Return to stove and cook over low to medium-low heat, stirring with a wooden spoon, until custard thickens a bit and reaches 170° on a thermometer. Pay close attention to the temperature: At 180°, it will begin to curdle.
Step 5
5
Pour custard into a bowl; stir in vanilla and set bowl in an ice bath (a larger bowl of ice and cold water). Let cool, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour and up to 1 day.
Step 6
6
Freeze custard in an ice cream maker according to manufacturer's instructions. Transfer to an airtight plastic container and freeze until hardened, at least 5 hours.
Search All of Sunset's Recipes
The Latest
This Oakland Kitchen’s Makeover Was Inspired by the Homeowner’s Late Mother
