Go Back
–+ servings
Hand scooping into a bowl of Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream with fresh berries.
Print Recipe
4.84 from 6 votes

Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

This Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream is so sweet and creamy. There is nothing like cold homemade ice cream on a hot day summer day.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time0 minutes
Freeze1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time1 hour 45 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: French
Keyword: Ice Cream, Vanilla
Servings: 6
Calories: 436kcal
Author: Erica Walker

Ingredients

  • 2 cups half-and-half
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 3/4 cup sugar + 2 Tbsp.
  • 1 vanilla bean split and scraped

Instructions

  • Cut the vanilla bean in half and scrape out the seeds with the opposite end of the blade.
    Scraping the seeds from inside the vanilla bean to make Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream.
  • In a large saucepan, combine all ingredients (including the cut bean and its seeds) and place over medium heat. Bring the mixture just barely to a simmer stirring constantly. As soon as you see a bubble hit the surface, remove it from the heat (do not let it boil) and allow to cool slightly.
    Pan of cooking Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream. Whisk on the side.
  • Remove the hull of the vanilla bean, pour mixture into lidded container and refrigerate mixture overnight to mellow flavors and texture.
    Plastic container with warm Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream mixture. Discarded vanilla beans on the side.
  • Mix ice cream in an ice cream maker* according to unit's instructions. Our Hamilton Beach model uses ice cubes and rock salt around a frozen metal container. Be sure to check your machine's instructions.
    Hamilton Beach ice cream maker with ice making Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream.
  • Once the volume has increased by 1/2 to 3/4 times, and reached a soft serve consistency, spoon the mixture back into a lidded container and harden in the freezer at least 1 hour before serving (we did ours overnight and it was perfect).
    Paddle of ice cream maker with Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream.
  • Serve with any toppings and enjoy!
    Bowl of Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream with blueberries, raspberries and sliced strawberries.

Video

Notes

Any ice cream maker works for this recipe. Just make sure to follow the unit's instructions. A couple of notes to remember:
  • The mixture will not freeze completely hard in the machine.
  • Once the volume has increased by about half and reached a soft serve consistency, scoop into a bowl with a lid or a loaf pan and harden in the freezer.
  • Try to freeze it for at least an hour before serving. We did ours overnight and it was perfect.

Nutrition

Calories: 436kcal | Carbohydrates: 78g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 44mg | Sodium: 51mg | Potassium: 154mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 71g | Vitamin A: 419IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 124mg | Iron: 1mg