Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

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Photo: Maura Mcevoy
Servings:
8
Yield:
Makes 1 1/2 quarts

Nothing is as rewarding as a dish of homemade ice cream for dessert. Top off a scoop with a chocolate-chip cookie.

Ingredients

  • 2 vanilla beans, split lengthwise and scraped

  • 2 cups milk, chilled

  • 6 large egg yolks

  • ¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar

  • 2 cups heavy cream

  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions

  1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the vanilla beans and scrapings with the milk. Bring to a gentle boil. Remove from heat, and let steep, covered, 30 minutes.

  2. Prepare an ice bath; set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat egg yolks and sugar on medium-high speed until thick and pale, about 4 minutes.

  3. Place milk mixture over medium-high heat; bring just to a simmer. Slowly pour about 1/4 cup hot-milk mixture into egg-yolk mixture, beating on low speed until blended. Continue adding milk, about 1/2 cup at a time, beating until incorporated after each addition.

  4. Return mixture to saucepan; stir with a wooden spoon over low heat until mixture is thick enough to coat back of spoon, 3 to 5 minutes. Custard should retain a line drawn across the back of the spoon with your fingertip.

  5. Remove pan from heat; stir in chilled cream to stop cooking. Pour custard through a fine sieve into a medium bowl set in ice bath; let stand, stirring occasionally, until chilled. Stir in extract. Freeze in an ice-cream maker according to manufacturer's instructions.

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