Vanilla Custard Ice Cream Recipe (2024)

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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4.74 from 19 votes

Vanilla Frozen Custard Recipe

Recipe Cost $ 8.45

Serving Cost $ 1.41

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

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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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FAQs

Is vanilla custard the same as vanilla ice cream? ›

Differences Between Frozen Custard vs 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.

Can I freeze custard to make ice cream? ›

Current Info on Freezing Custard

Apparently the best method to at least avoid waste is to make “frozen custard” aka ice cream! This requires a bit of effort though. Once in the freezer, you need to whisk the custard every 30 minutes for 3 hours. This aerates the custard and keeps it smooth during the freezing process.

Tell Me More ›

How long to chill custard for ice cream? ›

Strain and Cool the Custard

Cool the mixture slightly, then stir in the half-and-half cream and the vanilla. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until cold—several hours or overnight.

Find Out More ›

What ingredient makes the custard thicker? ›

Custard is a decadent dessert made with eggs, milk, and sugar. Eggs are responsible for custard's thick and velvety texture, but some recipes (such as this one) call for thickeners such as cornstarch or arrowroot for extra richess.

Is custard healthier than ice cream? ›

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.

Keep Reading ›

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 ...

Read On ›

Can you overcook custard for ice cream? ›

If you overcook your custard and begin to see flecks of solid egg, fix it by pouring it into a blender (or using an immersion blender) and processing until smooth. Churn your ice cream for as little time as possible to achieve optimum volume and freezing.

Find Out More ›

How to thicken custard for ice cream? ›

Using a Thickening Agent

Mix flour and cold water well, making sure the mixture is smooth. For 1 cup (240 mL) of custard, use 2 tablespoons (17 g) of flour mixed with 4 tablespoons (59 mL) of cold water. Add the mixture into your custard ingredients as they cook on the stove. Use cornstarch as an alternative to flour.

Discover More ›

What are the ingredients in Rita's vanilla custard? ›

Vanilla Custard Mix - Milk, cream, liquid sucrose (sugar, water), nonfat milk, corn syrup, sugared egg yolk (egg yolks, sugar), contains less than 0.5% of mono and diglycerides, natural and artificial flavor, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, cellulose gum, guar gum, polysorbate 80, polysorbate 65, carrageenan, salt.

Why does my custard smell eggy? ›

This is most likely due to the cooking temperature being too high. When cooking your custard base, make sure the temperature of your custard does not go higher than 185°F (85°C). This will cook the custard enough to pasteurize your eggs, but will not result in an eggy flavor.

Learn More ›

Can you whip custard to make it thicker? ›

Heat the custard base, over medium heat, while whisking vigorously until it starts to thicken – this should take about 1 – 2 minutes depending on the heat of your stove and size of your saucepan.

Learn More ›

Why does my custard taste bitter? ›

Explanation: When pineapple is added to fruit custard, it can make the custard taste bitter due to the presence of bromelain, an enzyme found in pineapples. Bromelain breaks down proteins, including the proteins in the milk used to make custard. This can result in a bitter taste and a curdled texture.

View Details ›

Does custard taste like ice cream? ›

Frozen custard is known for its creamy, rich, and velvety texture, while ice cream has a lighter mouthfeel and a wider range of flavors. Ultimately, it depends on what you're looking for in a frozen dessert - whether you prefer a creamy and intense flavor or a lighter and more diverse flavor range.

Is vanilla custard healthy? ›

With milk as the main ingredient, custard is a good source of protein and contains calcium, which is good for bone health. But custard is a treat food because it can also give us extra energy, fat and sugar that we maybe don't want, or need.

Know More ›

Is custard more creamy than ice cream? ›

The two sweet treats are often mistaken for each other, but there are distinct characteristics to each. While ice cream is light, airy, and creamy, frozen custard is way denser and creamier.

See Details ›

Is frozen custard the same as soft serve ice cream? ›

Let's start by saying that all custard is soft-serve, but the converse is not true. The main difference comes down to one ingredient: eggs. Ice cream is made from milk, cream (or a combination of the two), and sugar. Frozen custard adds egg yolks (no less than 1.4 percent egg yolk solids by weight, per FDA guidelines).

Read The Full Story ›