Simple Vanilla Ice Cream

The texture of this ice cream is better than almost any commercial ice cream, many of which are filled with air (at least when the ice cream is fresh, which is how it should be eaten — straight from the machine). It requires no eggs either, which means no custard, so it’s much simpler to make.

The recipe even works with skim milk, if not quite as brilliantly. With skim milk or half-and-half, this is a much less fat-laden ice cream than one made with six eggs.

Ingredients

  • 2 ½cups light cream, half-and-half or milk (whole or skim), or a combination
  • ½cup sugar
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1vanilla bean or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3tablespoons cornstarch
  • Nutritional Information
      • Nutritional analysis per serving (6 servings)

        227 calories; 15 grams fat; 9 grams saturated fat; 4 grams monounsaturated fat; 0 grams polyunsaturated fat; 21 grams carbohydrates; 0 grams dietary fiber; 18 grams sugars; 1 gram protein; 55 milligrams cholesterol; 66 milligrams sodium

    Note: The information shown is DiningAndCooking.com’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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Preparation

  1. Put 2 cups cream, half-and-half or milk, the sugar and salt in a saucepan over medium-low heat. If using a vanilla bean, split in half lengthwise and scrape seeds into liquid, then add pod. Cook until mixture begins to steam.
  2. In a bowl, blend cornstarch and remaining cream, half-and-half or milk; there should be no lumps. Remove bean pod from pot and discard. Add cornstarch mixture to pot. Cook, stirring, until it starts to thicken and barely reaches a boil, about 5 minutes. Immediately reduce heat to very low and stir for 5 minutes or so until thick. Stir in vanilla extract, if using.
  3. If mixture has lumps, strain it into a bowl. Chill until cool, a couple of hours (you can skip this step if you have a machine with a built-in freezer). When cool or if there are no lumps, pour into an ice cream machine and freeze according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

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