1. Fill a large bowl with ice and water; set aside. Place milk and cream in a saucepan; bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

2. Combine egg yolks and sugar in a medium bowl, and whisk until pale yellow. Pour half of hot milk mixture into egg-yolk mixture, whisking constantly. Return to pot with remaining milk mixture, and cook over low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until thick enough to coat back of spoon.

3. Remove from heat; pour through a very fine strainer into a bowl set over the ice bath. Allow to cool, stirring occasionally. Store in an airtight container up to 2 days in the refrigerator, until ready to use.