FF Very Vanilla Ice Cream

Very Vanilla Ice Cream

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Standing in the garden yesterday, face lifted up to the sky, the sun warming me through, gave me hope. Finally, Winter has passed Spring is here and warm, sunshine filled days will be more frequent and very welcomed. When the sun starts to really warm me, there is one thing I am inspired to make. Welcome to my Very Vanilla Ice Cream.

Two cookies sandwiched together with vanilla ice cream

Summer Time And The Living Is Easy

As soon as the tinkling sounds of the ice cream van fill the air, I know it is time to make one of the Summer’s greatest pleasures, ice cream.

There is absolutely a place for ice cream vans, 99’s and ice cream vendors on the beach. Gosh, on a hot day where would we be without them?

Homemade ice cream is a wonderfully indulgent pleasure. I have made very many flavours over the years, seeing as this is the first ice cream recipe to be posted here, I decided to show you how to make the best Very Vanilla Ice Cream which also happens to be gluten free, as are all of the ice cream recipes here on Feasting is Fun.

FF Very Vanilla Ice Cream
Very Vanilla Ice Cream how do you like yours?

So simple to make, with only a little forward planning required. There are plenty of no churn ice cream recipes on the Internet – Pinterest is a great place to look. Whilst some of them are reasonably good, buying an ice cream maker and churning your own ice cream results in a far smoother, silkier ice cream. Having just had a quick look on Amazon  they have a good selection of ice cream makers for under £30.

How about an ice cream maker as a present for Dad on Father’s Day?

I have tried making ice cream by hand, where you take it out of the freezer every so often and mix it with a fork. No matter how well I followed the recipe instructions my ice cream always ended up with large water crystals and wasn’t ever smooth or creamy.

Sweet Memories

Since being given an ice cream maker a few years ago, making ice cream is no longer a chore but a pleasure.

FF Very Vanilla Ice Cream
Very Vanilla Ice Cream squished into a cone – delicious!

Many years ago, when I was in my early 20’s, a friend and I went Inter Railing across Europe. Aside from the beautiful sights and unique experiences we shared, I have one very prominent memory. Of ice cream!!

Not any ice cream, a beautiful hazelnut ice cream eaten in Germany. For years and years I longed to taste that delighful ice cream again. Then when I started making my own ice cream I found a way to make it and it tastes just how I remember. More on that in an upcoming post.

That’s the beauty of making your own ice cream, playing with flavours and textures, creating your own little ice cream parlor!

Recipe: Makes approx 750ml Very Vanilla Ice Cream

300ml Double Cream

300ml Whole Milk

6 tbsp Caster Sugar

4 Free Range Egg Yolks

2 tsp Vanilla Bean Paste – I use Nielsen-Massey

1 tsp Corn Flour – I use Doves Farm as it is gluten free

Scant pinch of salt (less than 1/4 tsp)

Method: Ensure the freezing part of the ice cream maker has been in the freezer for at least 24 hours.

Making The Ice Cream Base

  • Place the cream, milk and vanilla bean paste into a saucepan over medium heat.
  • Add the egg yolks, sugar, salt and cornflour to a large heatproof bowl. Whisk until pale and creamy.
FF Very Vanilla Ice Cream
Whisk the eggs and sugar until they are very pale and creamy.
  • The milk/cream needs to reach scalding point. This is when little bubbles appear around the edge of the liquid.
FF Very Vanilla Ice Cream
Bring the milk up to scalding point, see the bubbles around the saucepan edge?
  • When the milk/cream has reached scalding point remove the pan from the heat.
  • Whilst whisking the egg mixture, pour the hot milk/cream into the bowl – do not stop whisking.
  • Once combined tip the custard mixture back into the same saucepan, cooking over a low heat and constantly stirring, until the custard has thickened and coats the back of a wooden spoon.
FF Very Vanilla Ice Cream
See how the cooked custard coats the back of the spoon.
  • Place a sieve over a clean, heatproof bowl and pour the custard into the bowl, through the sieve.
FF Very Vanilla Ice Cream
Look how beautifully smooth the ice cream custard is.
  • Place cling film directly over the top of the custard so that is touches it. This will prevent a skin from forming.
  • Allow to cool and then place into the fridge to chill.

Churning The Ice Cream

  • Set your ice cream maker up according to the manufacturers instructions.
  • Remove the cling film, stir the custard and pour into a jug.
  • Pour the custard into the ice cream maker (for mine it has to already be churning – check your instructions).
  • Churn the Very Vanilla Ice Cream until it is a thickened yet soft ice cream.
FF Very Vanilla Ice Cream
Very Vanilla Ice Cream ready for the freezer
  • Stop the ice cream maker and scoop out the Very Vanilla Ice Cream into a freezer-proof plastic tub.
  • Place the tub into the freezer and leave until solid.
  • As this ice cream has no artificial softening additives, to serve it is best left out of the freezer for 15 minutes. Then scoop away!!!

This utterly delicious ice cream is perfect with warm apple pie, brownies, in a cookie sandwich or my favourite – just scooped into a cone.

FF Very Vanilla Ice Cream
Very Vanilla Ice Cream delicious in an ice cream cookie sandwich.

This ice cream goes particularly well with the Caramac Caramel Cookies that I made the other day.

Making my own ice cream at home has opened up a whole realm of possibilities flavour wise. Textures play a part too, crunchy, syrupy, ooh the possibilities. Watch out for lots more ice cream recipes and I will also have a try at making sorbets, so incredibly refreshing in the heat of Summer.

Yes I am hopeful that we will have a good Summer this year!

Recently I came across some photographs of me as a toddler, eating my very first ice cream on the beach. I obviously had great taste from an early age!

Do you have memories of long, hot Summers and waiting for the familiar sound of the ice cream van?

If You Have Enjoyed This Recipe For Very Vanilla Ice Cream Here Are Some Others You May Like Too:

Chocolate Orange Ice Cream 

Scoops of chocolate orange ice cream in a fluted glass dessert bowl.
Chocolate Orange Ice Cream

Lemon Ripple Ice Cream 

Scoops of lemon ripple ice cream in a fluted glass dessert bowl with fresh lemons in the background.
Lemon Ripple Ice Cream

Strawberry Rose Ice Cream

Scoops of pink strawberry rose ice cream served in a teacup with a spoon. Pink roses and fresh strawberries are in the background.
Strawberry Rose Ice Cream

 

Thank you so much for all of you comments, please keep them coming. I’m loving the photos that you are putting up on Twitter and Instagram, it’s brilliant seeing everyones makes and bakes.

So, whatever you are making, baking and creating in your kitchens, have fun preparing and sharing your feast.

Sammie xx

TOP TIP: You will have 4 egg whites left over from this recipe. These can be frozen for upto one month – I generally freeze mine in bags of 2 whites.

To use – remove from freezer and allow to defrost and reach room temperature, they can then be used to make meringues like my Lemony Strawberry Pavlova.

 

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Sammie

Hi, I'm Sammie and I’m passionate about creating tasty recipes, both sweet and savoury that you can make at home. Every recipe is easy and fun to make and should taste like a feast without the fuss!

4 thoughts on “Very Vanilla Ice Cream”

  1. Sammie! You are SO RIGHT! ICE CREAM = SUMMER!! YAY for SUMMER! HOORAY IT IS HERE!!! (As I get older I am detesting winter more and more – dreary days, no sun, long dark nights). I remember having some delicious strawberry icecream when I was traveling in Norway – WAY BACK in 1985 – so good! That was the ONE Norwegian word I could say – so that I could order myself some icecream! lol! Anyway, great post – might just have to buy myself an ice cream maker!

    1. Ah Wendi surely that’s the only word that you need!! Great to know you have travel memories linked to ice cream as well. Strawberry ice cream is definitely on my list and I really recommend getting an ice cream maker – for no other reason than to leave a bit of the soft ice cream for eating with a spoon, once the rest of the batch is in the freezer. Ultimate summer comfort food! Sammie xx

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