Homemade Custard Ice Cream Recipe • Food Folks and Fun (2024)

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This Vanilla Frozen Custard Ice Cream is rich, decadent, and oh so creamy. Pair with your favorite pie, cake, or cookie or simply perfect on its own.

This Vanilla Custard Ice Cream serves 6 and costs $8.45 to make. That is just $1.41 per serving. This ice cream is creamy and decadent and perfect for a warm summer day.

There is simply nothing better than homemade ice cream. I love all of the fun flavor combinations. Some of my favorites include Fresh Peach Ice Cream, Cookie Dough Ice Cream, and Holy Cannoli Ice Cream.

Homemade Custard Ice Cream Recipe • Food Folks and Fun (1)

Table of Contents

You will love this frozen Vanilla Custard Recipe

This Vanilla Frozen Custard Ice Cream is the best because it is rich, decadent, and oh so creamy. After making it just once, you’ll understand why I (almost) always have a pint on hand in the freezer.

It’s perfect on its own, or amazing when paired with your favorite pie, cake, or freshly baked cookie. It honestly tastes like your favorite vanilla custard, in ice cream form, {think the luscious custard hidden beneath the crispy burnt sugar layer of crème brûlée}.

This frozen custard is the kind of treat I like to enjoy all to myself in peace and quiet on the couch, watching my favorite show after the kids are in bed. Anyone else with me on this “me time” strategy?!

What is Frozen Custard?

Frozen custard is a frozen dessert similar to ice cream but has a richer and creamier texture. It is made from a base of cream, milk, sugar, and pasteurized egg yolks. The key difference between frozen custard and traditional ice cream is the addition of egg yolks, which gives frozen custard its smooth and velvety consistency.

Homemade Custard Ice Cream Recipe • Food Folks and Fun (2)

Vanilla Custard Ice Cream Recipe ingredients

RECIPE COST: $8.45

PER SERVING COST: $1.41

NOTE: The recipe prices are calculated by using grocery store websites. The actual cost of the recipe will vary depending on what ingredients you already have.

Homemade Custard Ice Cream Recipe • Food Folks and Fun (3)
  • 1 cup whole milk – $0.12
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar – $0.18
  • 2 cups heavy cream – $1.94
  • Pinch of salt – $0.10
  • 1 vanilla bean – $5.50
  • 6 large egg yolks – $0.30
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – $0.31

Cook’s Tools:

  • Ice Cream Machine– I use a Cuisinart Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt Maker. For me, it’s the best buy for ice cream makers on the market. It’s probably not the best (or highest priced) model out there, but its modest price tag and excellent results make it the best buy in my book. Plus it comes in a ton of wicked cute colors.
  • Instant-Read Thermometer– I use a CDN ProAccurate Quick-Read Thermometer. I love this little thermometer; it’s speedy, accurate, and inexpensive.
  • Strainer– I use a fine mesh strainer that comes in a set of 3. It’s an inexpensive set that does more than just strain, I also use these for sifting ingredients and sifting powder sugar for garnish.
  • Ice Cream Containers– I use these white pint frozen dessert containers. They’re inexpensive (less than $19 for a set of 40!) and super cute. When giving ice cream away to friends and family, I like the decorate the containers with scrapbook paper and pretty string or ribbon.

How to make Frozen Custard Ice Cream

STEP ONE: First place a medium pot over medium-high heat and stir together the milk, sugar, and 1 cup of the heavy cream.

STEP TWO: After adding the vanilla bean to the pot, heat the mixture while stirring often until the mixture reaches 110 degrees.

Homemade Custard Ice Cream Recipe • Food Folks and Fun (4)

STEP THREE: Next, cover the pot and let the mixture cool until it reaches 80 degrees. This will take about 25 minutes.

STEP FOUR:Remove the vanilla bean, and add the egg yolks to the pot. While stirring the mixture, cook until the mixture reaches 170-175 degrees F.

Homemade Custard Ice Cream Recipe • Food Folks and Fun (5)

STEP FIVE: After removing the pot from the heat, place a fine-mesh strainer over a medium bowl, and pour the custard mixture through the sieve.

STEP SIX: Then mix in the remaining cup of heavy cream and vanilla extract. After cooling the mixture for 10 minutes, cover and refrigerate it for at least two hours.

STEP SEVEN: Finally, churn in an ice cream maker, following the manufacturer’s instructions. You’ll want to churn until the frozen custard is the consistency of soft-serve ice cream.

STEP EIGHT: Transfer the custard to a freezer-safe container and freeze until solid, about 3 hours.

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STEP NINE: Scoop and serve!

Homemade Custard Ice Cream Recipe • Food Folks and Fun (8)
Homemade Custard Ice Cream Recipe • Food Folks and Fun (9)

Desserts to serve with this Vanilla Frozen Custard Ice Cream:

  • New York Times Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • Mom’s Chocolate Chip Cake
  • Deep Dish Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Pie
  • Triple Chocolate One Bowl Brownies
  • Black Forest Cake
  • Better than Pecan Pie Bars
  • Deep Dish Apple Pie
  • Buttermilk Pie
  • Boston Cream Pie
  • Quick Dutch Apple Pie
  • Cherry Crumble Pie
  • Mixed Berry Crisp

I have the perfect cake to go along with this custard ice cream. My mom’schocolate chip cake screams for a scoop of custard ice cream to complement the richness of the cake.

Or who doesn’t love a chocolate chip cookie with custard ice cream? I know I love it! How delicious would this raspberry sauce be drizzled over the top of the custard ice cream? I want to make all of these right now!

I also like serving this frozen custard with my salted caramel recipe. SO good.

How to store this Ice Cream Custard Recipe

Homemade ice cream custard is best consumed within 1 to 2 weeks for optimal flavor and texture. Over time, ice crystals can form, affecting the creamy consistency.

Place a piece of plastic wrap or parchment paper directly on the surface of the custard before sealing the container. This helps prevent ice crystals from forming on the top layer of the custard.

Frozen Vanilla Custard Recipe FAQs

What is the difference between ice cream and frozen custard?

Custard vs ice cream, that is the question of the day! Custard ice cream and regular ice cream are both made with a base of milk, cream, and sugar. However, egg yolk is the major difference between custard and ice cream. According to the FDA, acustard should have 1.4% egg yolk solids by weight of the finished food.

What is healthier custard or ice cream?

The ice cream usually has more calories and saturated fat than custard. But ice cream does have less sugar and salt than custard. So, it’s kind of tied.

What makes frozen custard so creamy?

Frozen custard has a particularly creamy texture due to a few key factors:
Higher Fat Content:Frozen custard typically contains more milk fat than regular ice cream. It commonly includes a higher percentage of cream, contributing to its rich and creamy consistency. The additional fat content provides a smoother mouthfeel and enhances the overall creaminess.
Egg Yolks:One of the main ingredients that set frozen custard apart from traditional ice cream is the inclusion of pasteurized egg yolks. The egg yolks contain emulsifiers and proteins that help stabilize the mixture and create a smoother texture. They also add richness and contribute to the custard’s velvety mouthfeel.
Churning Process:Frozen custard is churned in an ice cream maker during freezing. The churning incorporates air into the mixture and helps create smaller ice crystals and a denser and creamier consistency. The continuous churning helps distribute the fat and air throughout the custard, enhancing its creaminess.

Homemade Custard Ice Cream Recipe • Food Folks and Fun (10)

4.74 from 19 votes

Vanilla Frozen Custard Recipe

Recipe Cost $ 8.45

Serving Cost $ 1.41

Prep Time 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 6 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

6 people

ThisVanilla Frozen Custard Ice Creamis rich, decadent, and oh so creamy. Pair with your favorite pie, cake, or cookie or simply perfect on its own.

Equipment

  • medium saucepan

  • whisk

  • fine mesh strainer

  • Medium bowl

  • Instant-read thermometer

  • ice cream machine

  • ice cream container

Ingredients

  • 1 cup whole milk
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 cups heavy cream divided
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 vanilla bean cut lengthwise
  • 6 large egg yolks
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

PREP MILK, CREAM, AND VANILLA BEAN:

  • Place a medium pot over medium-high heat, and whisk together the milk, sugar, and 1 cup of the heavy cream.

  • Use a spoon or the back of a butter knife to scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean into the pot. Add the vanilla bean to the pot, too.

HEAT MILK MIXTURE:

  • Heat the mixture, while stirring often, until the mixture reaches 110 degrees.

  • Cover the pot and let the mixture cool for about 25 minutes, or until it cools to 80 degrees.

MIX CUSTARD MIXTURE:

  • Remove the vanilla bean and add the egg yolks to the pot and whisk it into the warm milk mixture until combined.

COOK CUSTARD MIXTURE:

  • Place the pot back on the stove and heat it over medium heat. Cook, while stirring constantly (make sure you scrape all around the bottom of the pan and edges).

  • Cook until the mixture reaches 170-175 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer. The mixture will be thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon. Remove the pot from the heat.

STRAIN:

  • Place a fine-mesh​ strainer over a medium bowl and pour the custard mixture through the strainer.

MIX AND CHILL:

  • Whisk in the remaining cup of heavy cream and vanilla extract. Cool the mixture for 10 minutes, and then cover it and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight.

CHURN AND FREEZE:

  • Churn in an ice cream maker as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Churn until custard resembles soft-serve ice cream.

  • Transfer the frozen custard to an airtight container and freeze for 3 hours.

SERVE:

  • Scoop and serve!

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 457kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Cholesterol: 308mg | Sodium: 57mg | Potassium: 133mg | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 1492IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 121mg | Iron: 1mg

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Share it with me on Facebook and find more recipes on foodfolksandfun for more!

This recipe first appeared on FFF during August of 2013. I have since updated the pictures and post copy.

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Homemade Custard Ice Cream Recipe • Food Folks and Fun (2024)

FAQs

How to make custard vs ice cream? ›

According to The Kitchn, "Ice cream is made from milk, cream, or a combination of the two, while frozen custard is made from milk, cream, and egg yolks." Preparation for the frozen treats differs too.

How do you thicken custard for ice cream? ›

Using a Thickening Agent

Mix flour and cold water well, making sure the mixture is smooth. For 1 cup (240 mL) of custard, use 2 tablespoons (17 g) of flour mixed with 4 tablespoons (59 mL) of cold water. Add the mixture into your custard ingredients as they cook on the stove. Use cornstarch as an alternative to flour.

What's healthier ice cream or custard? ›

Brands vary, but vanilla ice-cream typically has about 10 per cent more calories than custard, as well as twice the saturated fat, less protein and half the calcium and potassium. However, ice-cream usually has less sugar and salt, too.

What's the difference between frozen ice cream and custard? ›

The main difference between frozen custard and ice cream is that frozen custard is made with egg yolks and ice cream is not, giving the former a richer flavor and mouthfeel. Some ice creams are made with egg yolks, however, which would technically make them custards based on the USDA guidelines.

What are the ingredients in custard vs ice cream? ›

The difference between ice cream and frozen custard comes down to one ingredient: egg yolks. Ice cream is made with milk, cream, and sweetener. Frozen custard contains the same ingredients, plus egg yolks. This extra ingredient means frozen custard usually has a richer, thicker, and creamier texture than ice cream.

Do you have to cook the custard for ice cream? ›

A mix that contains yolks must be cooked to disperse the proteins and emulsifiers (and kill any bacteria in the raw yolks), and the resulting thickened, custard-like mix makes an ice cream with a characteristic cooked, eggy flavor.

What is the best thickener for homemade ice cream? ›

Egg Yolks: The most traditional thickening agent, egg yolks contain natural proteins and fats that contribute to a rich and luxurious texture in custard-based ice creams. Cornstarch: Often used in non-custard ice creams, cornstarch mixed with milk helps thicken the base and create a smooth mouthfeel.

What ingredient makes the custard thicker? ›

Custard is a decadent dessert made with eggs, milk, and sugar. Eggs are responsible for custard's thick and velvety texture, but some recipes (such as this one) call for thickeners such as cornstarch or arrowroot for extra richess.

Why is my homemade ice cream not getting thick? ›

If you are churning your ice cream and it is not thickening, make sure that the canister is cold. Try adding some more ice and rock salt to it. Next time, put the canister into the freezer the day before you start making ice cream. This will ensure that it is cold enough.

Can diabetics eat custard ice cream? ›

While there are some extra things to consider, ice cream can be included in a healthy meal pattern even if you have diabetes. It's best to eat ice cream in moderation and to choose an option with lower saturated fat, lower carbs and no or low added sugar.

Can diabetics have custard? ›

You can buy NAS (no added sugar) custard powders, which some may tolerate in small amounts when well-paired. However, for those who want proper custard that is much more tolerable, you could try this recipe for a low-carb homemade REAL custard!

Is custard more unhealthy than ice cream? ›

While the calorie count may vary with flavors, ice cream in general is likely to have more calories and fat than frozen custard: 207 calories and 11 grams of fat for 100 grams of vanilla ice cream vs. 122 calories and four grams of fat for 100 grams of frozen custard.

What is French ice cream? ›

French-style ice cream:

Custard based. Ice cream made with an egg custard that's cooked and then completely chilled before churning. It takes more time and effort, but the results are ultra-rich, creamy, and delicious.

What are the ingredients in Culver's custard? ›

Vanilla Frozen Custard [Milk, Cream, Skim Milk, Sugar, Corn Syrup, Egg Yolk, Guar Gum, Mono & Diglycerides, Locust Bean Gum, Carrageenan, Natural and Artificial Vanilla Flavor], Pecan Pieces [Vegetable Oil (Peanut, Cottonseed, Soybean and/or Sunflower Seed), Sea Salt], Salted Caramel [Corn Syrup, Sweetened Condensed ...

Is creme brulee made from custard? ›

At its most basic, crème brûlée is a creamy, pudding-like, baked custard with a brittle top of melted sugar that cracks when you gently tap it with a spoon. The custard is made with heavy cream, eggs, sugar, and vanilla.

What makes custard not ice cream? ›

The main difference comes down to one ingredient: eggs. Ice cream is made from milk, cream (or a combination of the two), and sugar. Frozen custard adds egg yolks (no less than 1.4 percent egg yolk solids by weight, per FDA guidelines). If the product contains less than that, it's considered ice cream.

What makes a custard a custard? ›

Custard is a variety of culinary preparations based on sweetened milk, cheese, or cream cooked with egg or egg yolk to thicken it, and sometimes also flour, corn starch, or gelatin.

Does frozen custard have raw eggs? ›

What is Frozen Custard? egg yolks and you have custard. Is the egg raw? No, all ingredients are pasteurized/cooked.

Does custard melt faster than ice cream? ›

Frozen custard also tends to be served at a slightly warmer temperature than ice cream (18 °F vs. 10 °F) because the higher egg yolk content keeps it from melting as quickly as standard ice cream does.

References

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