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Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

5 from 1 vote
Bree HesterBy Bree Hester
Bree Hester
Bree Hester Founder of Baked Bree

Bree Hester is the recipe developer, writer and food photographer behind Baked Bree. She started Baked Bree in February 2010 as a love letter to anyone that has ever come to her house for a meal. O…

Expertise: Recipe Developer, Food Photographer And Writer View all posts →
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Vanilla Bean Ice Cream – Thickened with cornstarch and one egg yolk, this simple vanilla bean ice cream is the perfect smooth and creamy texture.

Vanilla Bean Ice Cream scoops topped with colorful sprinkles in a white bowl.

Simple vanilla bean ice cream. Is there really anything better? I know that most people don’t like a bowl of plain old vanilla ice cream, but I do. I love that the vanilla flavor shines and that all you have is a cold creamy bowl of goodness.

Not only is vanilla bean ice cream perfect on its own, but it is would be a perfect accompaniment to a warm apple pie. Or truly decadent alongside this croissant bread pudding. And just downright sinful on top of this brownie with maybe a little caramel sauce on top?

Don’t let vanilla ice cream fool you. With flecks of gorgeous and extravagant vanilla bean running throughout, this vanilla bean ice cream is straight up fancy.

I used the same exact method that I used when I made Coffee Toffee Ice Cream. In fact, I based that flavor off of this vanilla ice cream recipe. This is a great base to play with, you will come up with infinite ice cream flavors on your own. You will share won’t you?

*makes 1 quart*

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
  • pinch salt
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste (you may also use a regular vanilla bean or vanilla extract)
Ingredients for Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: sugar, cornstarch, egg, vanilla bean paste, whole milk, and heavy cream.

How To Make – Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Step 1: Whisk together the sugar, cornstarch and salt in a large saucepan.

Step 2: Gradually whisk in the milk and cream.

Step 3: Cook the mixture over medium to medium to high heat for about 10 to 15 minutes or until the mixture thickens. It needs to come up to a bubble in order for the cornstarch to thicken the mixture.

Step 4: In another bowl, whisk together the egg yolk and vanilla bean paste.

Step 5: Add about 1/2 cup of the hot cream to the yolk mixture very slowly, whisking constantly. You do not want the yolk to scramble.

Step 6: Gradually add the rest of the cream mixture. I thought that my mixture needed a few more flecks of vanilla, so I added a bit more vanilla bean paste. Ideally, you would cover this with plastic wrap (make sure that the plastic wrap touches the surface of the ice cream so that it does not form a skin) and let it sit in the fridge for a few hours or overnight. I needed vanilla ice cream for something else that I was making so I used the ice bath method instead.

Step 7: Fill a large metal bowl with ice cubes and cold water.

Step 8: Put the vanilla bean ice cream into the water bath. When the ice cubes melt, add more until the mixture is cold. About 45 minutes?

Step 9: Pour the mixture into your ice cream maker and freeze according to the directions that came with your ice cream maker. Mine takes about 30 minutes.

Freezing vanilla bean ice cream in an ice cream maker, churning the creamy mixture.

Step 10: Pour the frozen ice cream into another container and let freeze until firm.

Vanilla bean ice cream scooped into a white bowl on a dark blue cloth.

Step 11: Scoop and enjoy.

Scoops of vanilla bean ice cream with colorful sprinkles in a white bowl with a spoon.
Vanilla Bean Ice Cream scoops topped with colorful sprinkles in a white bowl.

Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Bree Hester
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Additional Time 3 hours hrs
Total Time 3 hours hrs 20 minutes mins
Course Dessert, ice cream
Cuisine American
Servings 8 (1 quart)
Calories 311 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
  • pinch salt
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste you may also use a regular vanilla bean or vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • Whisk together the sugar, cornstarch and salt in a large saucepan.
    Whisking sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a stainless steel saucepan for Vanilla Bean Ice Cream.
  • Gradually whisk in the milk and cream.
    Creamed milk mixture in a stainless steel saucepan with a whisk.
  • Cook the mixture over medium to medium to high heat for about 10 to 15 minutes or until the mixture thickens. It needs to come up to a bubble in order for the cornstarch to thicken the mixture.
    Cream boiling in a stainless steel saucepan on an electric stove.
  • In another bowl, whisk together the egg yolk and vanilla bean paste.
    Whisking egg yolk and vanilla bean paste for vanilla bean ice cream.
  • Add about 1/2 cup of the hot cream to the yolk mixture very slowly, whisking constantly. You do not want the yolk to scramble.
    Whisking the egg yolk mixture for vanilla bean ice cream.
  • Gradually add the rest of the cream mixture. I thought that my mixture needed a few more flecks of vanilla, so I added a bit more vanilla bean paste. Ideally, you would cover this with plastic wrap (make sure that the plastic wrap touches the surface of the ice cream so that it does not form a skin) and let it sit in the fridge for a few hours or overnight. I needed vanilla ice cream for something else that I was making so I used the ice bath method instead.
    Adding vanilla bean paste to the vanilla bean ice cream mixture.
  • Fill a large metal bowl with ice cubes and cold water.
    Cold water with ice cubes in a stainless steel mixing bowl for baking preparation.
  • Put the vanilla bean ice cream into the water bath. When the ice cubes melt, add more until the mixture is cold. About 45 minutes?
    Putting the vanilla bean ice cream base into an ice bath for cooling.
  • Pour the mixture into your ice cream maker and freeze according to the directions that came with your ice cream maker. Mine takes about 30 minutes.
    Freezing vanilla bean ice cream in an ice cream maker, churning the creamy mixture.
  • Pour the frozen ice cream into another container and let freeze until firm.
    Vanilla bean ice cream scooped into a white bowl on a dark blue cloth.
  • Scoop and enjoy.
    Scoops of vanilla bean ice cream with colorful sprinkles in a white bowl with a spoon.

Nutrition

Calories: 311kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 3gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 14gSodium: 29mgFiber: 0.02g
Keyword classic ice cream, Creamy ice cream, homemade ice cream, ice cream with cornstarch, vanilla bean ice cream, vanilla ice cream recipe, vanilla ice cream with egg yolk
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

About Bree HesterRecipe Developer, Food Photographer And Writer

Bree Hester is the recipe developer, writer and food photographer behind Baked Bree. She started Baked Bree in February 2010 as a love letter to anyone that has ever come to her house for a meal. Over the years it has evolved into so much more than that. While Bree may have hung up her apron for the last time, the reins have now been passed over to a passionate team of foodies.

Reader Interactions

Published: Jan 12, 2024 | Updated: Jan 8, 2026
5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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