Vanilla Custard Ice Cream Recipe (2024)

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This Vanilla Frozen Custard Ice Cream is rich, decadent, and oh so creamy. Pair with your favorite pie, cake, or cookie or simply perfect on its own.

This Vanilla Custard Ice Cream serves 6 and costs $8.45 to make. That is just $1.41 per serving. This ice cream is creamy and decadent and perfect for a warm summer day.

There is simply nothing better than homemade ice cream. I love all of the fun flavor combinations. Some of my favorites include Fresh Peach Ice Cream, Cookie Dough Ice Cream, and Holy Cannoli Ice Cream.

Vanilla Custard Ice Cream Recipe (1)

Table of Contents

You will love this frozen Vanilla Custard Recipe

This Vanilla Frozen Custard Ice Cream is the best because it is rich, decadent, and oh so creamy. After making it just once, you’ll understand why I (almost) always have a pint on hand in the freezer.

It’s perfect on its own, or amazing when paired with your favorite pie, cake, or freshly baked cookie. It honestly tastes like your favorite vanilla custard, in ice cream form, {think the luscious custard hidden beneath the crispy burnt sugar layer of crème brûlée}.

This frozen custard is the kind of treat I like to enjoy all to myself in peace and quiet on the couch, watching my favorite show after the kids are in bed. Anyone else with me on this “me time” strategy?!

What is Frozen Custard?

Frozen custard is a frozen dessert similar to ice cream but has a richer and creamier texture. It is made from a base of cream, milk, sugar, and pasteurized egg yolks. The key difference between frozen custard and traditional ice cream is the addition of egg yolks, which gives frozen custard its smooth and velvety consistency.

Vanilla Custard Ice Cream Recipe (2)

Vanilla Custard Ice Cream Recipe ingredients

RECIPE COST: $8.45

PER SERVING COST: $1.41

NOTE: The recipe prices are calculated by using grocery store websites. The actual cost of the recipe will vary depending on what ingredients you already have.

Vanilla Custard Ice Cream Recipe (3)
  • 1 cup whole milk – $0.12
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar – $0.18
  • 2 cups heavy cream – $1.94
  • Pinch of salt – $0.10
  • 1 vanilla bean – $5.50
  • 6 large egg yolks – $0.30
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – $0.31

Cook’s Tools:

  • Ice Cream Machine– I use a Cuisinart Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt Maker. For me, it’s the best buy for ice cream makers on the market. It’s probably not the best (or highest priced) model out there, but its modest price tag and excellent results make it the best buy in my book. Plus it comes in a ton of wicked cute colors.
  • Instant-Read Thermometer– I use a CDN ProAccurate Quick-Read Thermometer. I love this little thermometer; it’s speedy, accurate, and inexpensive.
  • Strainer– I use a fine mesh strainer that comes in a set of 3. It’s an inexpensive set that does more than just strain, I also use these for sifting ingredients and sifting powder sugar for garnish.
  • Ice Cream Containers– I use these white pint frozen dessert containers. They’re inexpensive (less than $19 for a set of 40!) and super cute. When giving ice cream away to friends and family, I like the decorate the containers with scrapbook paper and pretty string or ribbon.

How to make Frozen Custard Ice Cream

STEP ONE: First place a medium pot over medium-high heat and stir together the milk, sugar, and 1 cup of the heavy cream.

STEP TWO: After adding the vanilla bean to the pot, heat the mixture while stirring often until the mixture reaches 110 degrees.

Vanilla Custard Ice Cream Recipe (4)

STEP THREE: Next, cover the pot and let the mixture cool until it reaches 80 degrees. This will take about 25 minutes.

STEP FOUR:Remove the vanilla bean, and add the egg yolks to the pot. While stirring the mixture, cook until the mixture reaches 170-175 degrees F.

Vanilla Custard Ice Cream Recipe (5)

STEP FIVE: After removing the pot from the heat, place a fine-mesh strainer over a medium bowl, and pour the custard mixture through the sieve.

STEP SIX: Then mix in the remaining cup of heavy cream and vanilla extract. After cooling the mixture for 10 minutes, cover and refrigerate it for at least two hours.

STEP SEVEN: Finally, churn in an ice cream maker, following the manufacturer’s instructions. You’ll want to churn until the frozen custard is the consistency of soft-serve ice cream.

STEP EIGHT: Transfer the custard to a freezer-safe container and freeze until solid, about 3 hours.

Vanilla Custard Ice Cream Recipe (7)

STEP NINE: Scoop and serve!

Vanilla Custard Ice Cream Recipe (8)
Vanilla Custard Ice Cream Recipe (9)

Desserts to serve with this Vanilla Frozen Custard Ice Cream:

  • New York Times Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • Mom’s Chocolate Chip Cake
  • Deep Dish Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Pie
  • Triple Chocolate One Bowl Brownies
  • Black Forest Cake
  • Better than Pecan Pie Bars
  • Deep Dish Apple Pie
  • Buttermilk Pie
  • Boston Cream Pie
  • Quick Dutch Apple Pie
  • Cherry Crumble Pie
  • Mixed Berry Crisp

I have the perfect cake to go along with this custard ice cream. My mom’schocolate chip cake screams for a scoop of custard ice cream to complement the richness of the cake.

Or who doesn’t love a chocolate chip cookie with custard ice cream? I know I love it! How delicious would this raspberry sauce be drizzled over the top of the custard ice cream? I want to make all of these right now!

I also like serving this frozen custard with my salted caramel recipe. SO good.

How to store this Ice Cream Custard Recipe

Homemade ice cream custard is best consumed within 1 to 2 weeks for optimal flavor and texture. Over time, ice crystals can form, affecting the creamy consistency.

Place a piece of plastic wrap or parchment paper directly on the surface of the custard before sealing the container. This helps prevent ice crystals from forming on the top layer of the custard.

Frozen Vanilla Custard Recipe FAQs

What is the difference between ice cream and frozen custard?

Custard vs ice cream, that is the question of the day! Custard ice cream and regular ice cream are both made with a base of milk, cream, and sugar. However, egg yolk is the major difference between custard and ice cream. According to the FDA, acustard should have 1.4% egg yolk solids by weight of the finished food.

What is healthier custard or ice cream?

The ice cream usually has more calories and saturated fat than custard. But ice cream does have less sugar and salt than custard. So, it’s kind of tied.

What makes frozen custard so creamy?

Frozen custard has a particularly creamy texture due to a few key factors:
Higher Fat Content:Frozen custard typically contains more milk fat than regular ice cream. It commonly includes a higher percentage of cream, contributing to its rich and creamy consistency. The additional fat content provides a smoother mouthfeel and enhances the overall creaminess.
Egg Yolks:One of the main ingredients that set frozen custard apart from traditional ice cream is the inclusion of pasteurized egg yolks. The egg yolks contain emulsifiers and proteins that help stabilize the mixture and create a smoother texture. They also add richness and contribute to the custard’s velvety mouthfeel.
Churning Process:Frozen custard is churned in an ice cream maker during freezing. The churning incorporates air into the mixture and helps create smaller ice crystals and a denser and creamier consistency. The continuous churning helps distribute the fat and air throughout the custard, enhancing its creaminess.

Vanilla Custard Ice Cream Recipe (10)

4.74 from 19 votes

Vanilla Frozen Custard Recipe

Recipe Cost $ 8.45

Serving Cost $ 1.41

Prep Time 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 6 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

6 people

ThisVanilla Frozen Custard Ice Creamis rich, decadent, and oh so creamy. Pair with your favorite pie, cake, or cookie or simply perfect on its own.

Equipment

  • medium saucepan

  • whisk

  • fine mesh strainer

  • Medium bowl

  • Instant-read thermometer

  • ice cream machine

  • ice cream container

Ingredients

  • 1 cup whole milk
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 cups heavy cream divided
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 vanilla bean cut lengthwise
  • 6 large egg yolks
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

PREP MILK, CREAM, AND VANILLA BEAN:

  • Place a medium pot over medium-high heat, and whisk together the milk, sugar, and 1 cup of the heavy cream.

  • Use a spoon or the back of a butter knife to scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean into the pot. Add the vanilla bean to the pot, too.

HEAT MILK MIXTURE:

  • Heat the mixture, while stirring often, until the mixture reaches 110 degrees.

  • Cover the pot and let the mixture cool for about 25 minutes, or until it cools to 80 degrees.

MIX CUSTARD MIXTURE:

  • Remove the vanilla bean and add the egg yolks to the pot and whisk it into the warm milk mixture until combined.

COOK CUSTARD MIXTURE:

  • Place the pot back on the stove and heat it over medium heat. Cook, while stirring constantly (make sure you scrape all around the bottom of the pan and edges).

  • Cook until the mixture reaches 170-175 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer. The mixture will be thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon. Remove the pot from the heat.

STRAIN:

  • Place a fine-mesh​ strainer over a medium bowl and pour the custard mixture through the strainer.

MIX AND CHILL:

  • Whisk in the remaining cup of heavy cream and vanilla extract. Cool the mixture for 10 minutes, and then cover it and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight.

CHURN AND FREEZE:

  • Churn in an ice cream maker as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Churn until custard resembles soft-serve ice cream.

  • Transfer the frozen custard to an airtight container and freeze for 3 hours.

SERVE:

  • Scoop and serve!

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 457kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Cholesterol: 308mg | Sodium: 57mg | Potassium: 133mg | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 1492IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 121mg | Iron: 1mg

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This recipe first appeared on FFF during August of 2013. I have since updated the pictures and post copy.

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Vanilla Custard Ice Cream Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How thick does custard need to be for ice cream? ›

Therefore, the custard base you start with for ice cream should be very thin. Usually it's about the consistency of a somewhat thin gravy. This is because it thickens so much as it freezes. The egg yolks are more to keep it from freezing into a solid block than they are to thicken it.

What is the secret to making ice cream very creamy? ›

When it comes to great ice cream, cold temperatures and speed are your friends: the faster you bring your base from liquid to solid, the creamier it'll be. In a 2-quart unit, a typical batch of ice cream will take between 18 and 25 minutes to churn.

What's the difference between vanilla ice cream and vanilla custard? ›

But according to the FDA, one key difference sets the two apart: It's all about the yolks. Ice cream contains at least 10 percent milkfat and less than 1.4 percent egg yolk, while custard contains at least 10 percent milkfat but must have more than 1.4 percent egg yolk.

What are the 3 types of custard? ›

There are three types of custard: baked, stirred, and frozen. Baked custards include bread pudding, flan, and cheesecake, and are prepared by baking in an oven or water bath. Boiled Custards include beverages like eggnog. Puddings, creme anglaise (krem on-GLAYZ), and pastry cream are some examples of stirred custards.

How do you know if custard is thick enough? ›

Stir constantly with a wooden spoon, until the custard thickens and coats the back of the spoon. Stirring distributes the heat so the custard doesn't become too hot, which can curdle it. Draw a finger across the back of the spoon and if it leaves a trail, your custard is ready.

How do you know when ice cream is churned enough? ›

Churn just until the ice cream is thick, and about the consistency of soft serve, then transfer to another container and store in the freezer.

What sugar is best for ice cream? ›

Most home ice cream recipes call for simple table sugar, which is chemically known as sucrose. But in pro kitchens you have more options. Liquid sugars like invert sugar, corn syrup, honey, and glucose syrup all add body, creaminess, and stability to ice cream, and a little goes a long way.

Do eggs make ice cream creamier? ›

Eggs leverage the fat already present in the ice cream base (the butterfat in cream and milk) and make it work even further for a creamier texture. But wait, there's more! Egg yolks also improve the stability of an ice cream, reducing its tendency to melt before you can get it from freezer to cone to mouth.

What ingredient makes ice cream thick? ›

Egg Yolks: The most traditional thickening agent, egg yolks contain natural proteins and fats that contribute to a rich and luxurious texture in custard-based ice creams. Cornstarch: Often used in non-custard ice creams, cornstarch mixed with milk helps thicken the base and create a smooth mouthfeel.

What is Culver's custard made of? ›

Vanilla Frozen Custard [Milk, Cream, Skim Milk, Sugar, Corn Syrup, Egg Yolk, Guar Gum, Mono & Diglycerides, Locust Bean Gum, Carrageenan, Natural and Artificial Vanilla Flavor], Pecan Pieces [Vegetable Oil (Peanut, Cottonseed, Soybean and/or Sunflower Seed), Sea Salt], Salted Caramel [Corn Syrup, Sweetened Condensed ...

Which is healthier ice cream or custard? ›

Brands vary, but vanilla ice-cream typically has about 10 per cent more calories than custard, as well as twice the saturated fat, less protein and half the calcium and potassium. However, ice-cream usually has less sugar and salt, too.

Is vanilla custard the same as Bavarian cream? ›

Vanilla Bavarian Cream: Vanilla pastry cream lightened with whipped cream. A more flavorful and delectable cream filling as opposed to plain whipped cream. Vanilla Custard: A mixture of milk, egg yolks, and sugar cooked to a pudding consistency; also called pastry cream.

What is the American version of custard? ›

In the USA it is more like ice cream, or frozen Yogurt, or what the local place in St Louis Ted Drewes calls “concrete”. In other word it's usually a chilled confection of the same consistency as ice cream and often served by itself in a pot.

What is another name for vanilla custard? ›

Crème anglaise (French: [kʁɛm ɑ̃glɛz]; French for 'English cream'), custard sauce, pouring custard, or simply custard is a light, sweetened pouring custard used as a dessert cream or sauce. It is a mix of sugar, egg yolks, and hot milk usually flavoured with vanilla.

What is the difference between custard and custard ice cream? ›

The main difference between frozen custard and ice cream is that frozen custard is made with egg yolks and ice cream is not, giving the former a richer flavor and mouthfeel. Some ice creams are made with egg yolks, however, which would technically make them custards based on the USDA guidelines.

How thick should custard be? ›

Coat your spatula with the custard and run your finger through it. If the line you made stays, the custard is done. Custards should be thick, glossy and smooth.

Should custard be thin or thick? ›

The type of cream used will make the custard taste richer, rather than making the consistency much thicker. Creme anglaise should thinly coat the back of a spoon and when you pull a finger through the custard on the spoon you should see a distinct trail though the custard that holds for a few seconds.

How thick does custard get? ›

A properly made custard sauce should be smooth and thick enough to coat the back of a spoon (Also called nappe). It should not contain any bits of cooked egg.

Can you overcook custard for ice cream? ›

The last few minutes are crucial. Undercooked custard will be thin and watery; overcooked custard will curdle. The difference is a matter of only a few degrees. Coats a metal spoon: A thermometer is best, but if you don't have one, use this test for doneness.

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