Old Fashioned Vanilla Ice Cream

The best thing about having our own dairy products at my disposal is that I can make ice cream whenever I want and let me tell you, nothing beats homemade ice cream! It's thicker, creamier and fresher tasting.

That just looks good!!

In this recipe you will be making a cooked custard base, cooling it and then freezing it according to your ice cream maker instructions. I made the 6 quart recipe and I'll include the quantities for it in parenthesis after the 4 quart recipe for the people who want to make a little more.

Old Fashioned Vanilla Ice Cream

4 Quart

2 1/4 cups sugar  (3 1/2 cups)
1/4 cup plus 2 Tablespoons flour  (1/2 cup)
1/2 teaspoon salt  (3/4 teaspoon)
5 cups milk  (7 cups)
4 eggs, beaten  (6 eggs, beaten)
4 cups whipping cream (6 cups)
2 Tablespoons vanilla  (3Tablespoons)

Combine the sugar, flour and salt in a saucepan. Stir in milk. Cook over medium heat for about 15 minutes or until thickened, stirring all the while. Stir about 1 cup of the hot mixture into the eggs. Add eggs back into the hot mixture stirring constantly. Cook 1 minute, remove from heat and cool in the fridge for 2 hours. Combine the whipping cream and vanilla in a large bowl and stir the custard in using a whisk to stir. Freeze as directed for your ice cream machine.

This is a very basic, yet delicious, recipe. You could add things like fruit, cookies, nuts or candy and make your own gourmet ice cream. Or you can leave it plain and pour hot sauce or fruit sauce over the top. Add a scoop with your pie or cake. Make milkshakes. Ice cream cones are always nice. Do whatever you want with your ice cream, it's going to be good no matter what!

I have a ton of recipes that I want to try: Spiced Cider Sorbet, Pina Colada Frozen Yogurt, Caramel with Buttered Pecans, Chocolate Chip Mint (I might add thin mints to that one). But the next one were going to make is.....drum roll please.......Praline Almond Fudge. I'll let you know how it turns out!