Chef John's French-style vanilla custard ice cream can be served soft and creamy in cones or frozen until firm and scooped into cups like regular ice cream.
Preparation Time
15 mins
Cooking Time
5 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Calories
341 Calories
Recipe Instructions
Step 1
Whisk sugar, egg yolks, and salt together until mixture becomes fluffy and changes from dark golden to pale yellow.
Step 2
Heat cream and milk in a heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking to the bottom. Cook just until mixture starts to simmer when little bubbles begin to appear on the surface, 5 to 8 minutes. Remove from the heat.
Step 3
Whisk a ladleful of hot cream mixture into egg yolk mixture. Add another ladleful and whisk thoroughly before adding the next (this will keep the eggs from cooking). Gradually add remaining cream mixture and whisk thoroughly. Whisk in vanilla, then let cool completely, 30 to 45 minutes. You can place the bowl in a larger bowl filled with ice water to cool it faster.
Step 4
Pour cooled mixture into a pitcher, cover, and refrigerate until ice cold, 4 hours to overnight.
Step 5
Pour cold custard mixture into an ice cream maker and process according to the manufacturer's instructions until it reaches the consistency of soft ice cream, about 20 minutes. Quickly transfer to a plastic container and place a piece of plastic wrap over the surface of the custard. Cover the container and freeze until firm enough to scoop, at least 3 hours.
