French Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe

Step 1

Before we start making the ice cream, we need to make sure that the ice cream bowl for the machine is completely frozen. Put it in the freezer the night before you plan to make the dessert.

Step 2

Pour the 1 1/2 cups milk and 1 1/2 cups heavy cream in a sauce pan. Cut a vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape the seeds. Put the seeds and the bean to the milk mixture, together with a pinch of salt.

Step 3

Bring the mixture to simmer over the medium heat (It will take about 10 minutes).

Step 4

While the milk mixture is warming up, we can work on the egg yolks.

Step 5

Put 4 egg yolks and 2/3 cup sugar in a mixing bowl and beat them very well. Mix them for a few minutes, until it becomes pale in color and will have a smooth and airy texture.

Step 6

When the milk mixture is starting to simmer and the egg yolks are whisked, we can start tempering.

Step 7

Using a ladle, slowly and gradually pour the hot milk mixture into the egg/sugar mixture, while constantly whisking the egg yolks.

Step 8

After you add a couple of ladles of hot liquid to the beaten eggs, and they are warmed up, you can add the rest of the milk mixture to the bowl and mix very well.

Step 9

Pour the tempered mixture back to the saucepan and put it on a low heat. Cook it for about 10 minutes, or until the mixture start to thicken and the internal temperature reaches 170-175°F.

Step 10

Pour the mixture to a clean mixing bowl through a fine-mesh strainer. That will help to remove any cooked egg pieces and the vanilla bean.

Step 11

Let the mixture cool on the counter for 30-40 minutes. Then cover with a plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until it’s completely cold.

Step 12

Churn the ice cream according to manufacturer’s instructions

Step 13

When done, transfer it to an air tight container and freeze overnight before serving.