Classic Vanilla Ice Cream

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Classic Vanilla Ice Cream: A Timeless Treat Made at Home

There’s something incredibly nostalgic and comforting about a scoop of classic vanilla ice cream. It’s simple, elegant, and serves as the perfect base for everything from warm fruit pies to rich chocolate sauces. But nothing compares to the taste of homemade vanilla ice cream — creamy, rich, and bursting with real vanilla flavor.

Whether you’re an ice cream connoisseur or a kitchen novice, this recipe for classic vanilla ice cream is easy to follow and delivers that old-fashioned, churned taste we all know and love. With just a few basic ingredients, you can whip up a batch that rivals any store-bought brand — and likely beats it.

Why Make Vanilla Ice Cream at Home?

Store-bought ice cream is convenient, but it often contains stabilizers, artificial flavors, and lots of sugar. Homemade ice cream, on the other hand, lets you control the ingredients and adjust the sweetness to your liking. Plus, when you make it yourself, you get to experience that ultra-fresh, just-churned texture that’s practically impossible to find in a carton.

The Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. Here’s what you’ll need:

2 cups heavy cream
1 cup whole milk
¾ cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

Optional but recommended:
For extra depth of flavor, use a vanilla bean instead of extract. Simply split it down the middle, scrape out the seeds, and steep both pod and seeds in the milk mixture.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Mix the Base
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the milk, sugar, and salt. Stir gently until the sugar completely dissolves. If using a vanilla bean, add it now.
Infuse the Flavor
Once the sugar is dissolved, remove from heat. Add the heavy cream and vanilla extract (or the vanilla bean seeds if you used the pod earlier). Let the mixture cool to room temperature, then chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight. The colder the base, the creamier the result.
Churn It
Pour the chilled mixture into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This usually takes about 20–25 minutes, depending on your machine.
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