There’s something timeless about a scoop of classic vanilla ice cream. It’s simple, comforting, and endlessly versatile. Whether you’re pairing it with warm pie, caramelized fruit, homemade granola or just enjoying it straight from the bowl. This homemade version is everything vanilla ice cream should be: rich, ultra-creamy, and packed with real vanilla flavor. No artificial shortcuts here—just a custard-style base made from scratch that delivers pure, scoopable perfection. If you’ve never made your own ice cream before, this is the perfect place to start.
Best Classic Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe – Rich, Creamy, and Simple
This classic vanilla ice cream recipe is rich, creamy, and made completely from scratch with real vanilla and just a handful of ingredients. It’s the perfect base for any topping—or delicious all on its own. Whether you’re pairing it with fresh fruit, warm pie, or a sprinkle of granola, this foolproof recipe delivers smooth, scoopable ice cream every time.
Equipment
- ice cream maker
Ingredients
- 1¾ cups whole milk 2% works well too
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup sugar divided
- 6 egg yolks
- 1½ tbsp vanilla extract Nielsen Massey brand is best
- 2 tbsp vanilla paste Nielsen Massey brand is best
Instructions
- Combine cream, milk, 1/4 cup of sugar, and a pinch of salt in a medium saucepan. Bring mixture just to a simmer, stirring to dissolve sugar. Add in vanilla extract and paste. Remove from heat.
- Whisk egg yolks and remaining 1/2 cup of sugar in a medium bowl until pale, about 2 minutes. Season with a pinch of salt. Gradually whisk in ½ cup warm cream mixture. Whisk yolk mixture into remaining cream mixture. Cook mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thick enough to coat a spatula, 2–3 minutes.
- Strain custard into a medium bowl. Season with a pinch of salt. Let cool in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours.
- Process custard in an ice cream maker according to manufacturer’s instructions. Transfer to an airtight container; cover. Freeze until firm, at least 4 hours.
Optional Caramelized Peaches
- In the instagram video, I show caramelized peaches and granola topping on the vanilla ice cream. The granola used is my Nutty Coconut and Tahini Granola. For the peaches, I put about a tbsp of honey and a tsp of olive oil on a pan on medium heat. As soon as the mixture started to bubble, I added slices of peach and allowed them to cook for about 5 minutes on one side. I then turned them over for another 2 minutes. In a cup, I added some granola, a couple scoops of vanilla ice cream and topped it with the caramelized peaches. It was blissful!