Vanilla Ice Cream

Is there anything better than ice cream in the summer?  I think not.  This ice cream is a recipe that I have tweaked from several of my favorite ice cream recipes.  It is so creamy and yummy and delicous that you will want to eat it on everything.  Bologna and ice cream sandwich anyone? 

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups Half and Half

1 1/2 cups Heavy Whipping Cream

4 Egg Yolks

1 Cup Sugar

2-3 Tbs. Vanilla Extract (dependent on your love of vanilla)








In a medium sauce pan combine your half and half with the sugar.  Turn your stove onto low heat and whisk the two ingredients together.  Be careful not to scorch the half and half.

Once the half and half is warm, add the vanilla.  I use 3 Tablespoons, this gives the ice cream a rich vanilla taste.  If you want a more subtle vanilla taste, adjust the amount of vanilla you add.  Stir the mixture and continue to simmer over low heat.

While the mixture is simmering, place the 4 egg yolks into a mixing bowl.  Beat the egg yolks with an electric mixer until they are light and fluffy and look like clouds from heaven.

Once you have your fluffy deliciousness all whipped up, it is time to temper the eggs.

To your beaten eggs, drizzle a small amount of the hot half and half/sugar mixture into the eggs. You want to do this very slowly a few tablespoons at a time and make sure that you whisk constantly.  We temper the eggs so that they do not turn into cooked scrambled eggs when we add them to the heat. 

Continue to whisk in about 1 cup of the warm mixture.  Once the egg mixture is warm, you can add it to the half and half mixture that is simmering on the stove.  Stir constantly while adding the eggs.

Continue to simmer for 10-15 minutes on low heat until your creamy yummy mix thickens up.  It will have the consistency of a runny custard when it is ready.  It may take more or less time depending on the heat of your stove.

In a clean bowl, pour the 1 1/2 cups of heavy cream.  Remove the half and half and egg mixture from the stovetop and combine it with the heavy cream.  Stir together until it is all mixed up and full of deliciousness.  Take a deep breath, smell the aroma of fresh vanilla ice cream mix and be in heaven for a moment. 

Cool the mixture down in your refrigerator for an hour or two, then add it to your ice cream maker.  Once it is finished in the ice cream maker, it will be soft serve-like.  If you cant help yourself, scoop some out and eat it immediately.  If you are patient, pop it in the freezer overnight and eat it for breakfast!  It is really much tastier when it is good and frozen.  Serve the ice cream with your very favorite cobbler, cake or just some yummy fried apples like me!

Delicious homemade ice cream, its really not that hard!