Sweets | Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Posted on March 2, 2014

A yummy vanilla custard ice cream. Used in the Mexican Hot Fudge Sundaes recipe.

Yield: almost 3 pints

Ingredients

3 cups half and half

2 cups whipping cream

2 vanilla beans, split lengthwise (or vanilla bean paste)

3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar

8 egg yolks

 

Method

Bring first 3 ingredients to simmer in heavy medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Remove from heat, cover and let steep 40 minutes.

Return half and half mixture to simmer. Beat sugar and egg yolks to blend in medium bowl. Gradually whisk in hot half and half. Return mixture to saucepan. Stir over medium heat until custard thickens slightly and leaves path on back of spoon when finger is drawn across, about 7 minutes; do not boil. Refrigerate custard until well chilled.

Scrape any seeds remaining inside vanilla beans into custard. Transfer custard to ice cream maker and process according to manufacturer's instructions. Freeze ice cream in covered container. Can be prepared 1 week ahead.

 

(Ref. Sur La Table's "Vanilla Bean Ice Cream" recipe, "Ice Cream 101" class.)