Key Ingredients for Grandma’s Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream:
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract (good quality is key!)
- Pinch of salt
How to Make Grandma’s Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream:
This Grandma’s Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream recipe is a delightful journey into pure, creamy sweetness. Its simplicity belies its incredibly rich and satisfying flavor, making it a treasured family favorite. The preparation time is approximately 15 minutes of active time, plus chilling and freezing, offering a rewarding culinary experience.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Combine Dairy and Sugar: In a medium saucepan, whisk together the whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, and a pinch of salt over medium heat.
- Heat Gently: Stir the mixture constantly, ensuring the sugar dissolves completely. The goal is to heat the mixture until it’s steaming, but do not boil. Boiling can scald the milk and alter the delicate flavor. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes.
- Add Vanilla: Once the milk and cream mixture is hot and steaming, remove it from the heat. Stir in the pure vanilla extract. The quality of your vanilla extract will significantly impact the final flavor, so use a good one!
- Chill Thoroughly: Pour the mixture into a clean bowl or pitcher. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap, pressing the wrap directly onto the surface of the liquid to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight. This chilling step is crucial for allowing the flavors to meld and for the base to be sufficiently cold for churning.
- Churn the Ice Cream: Once your base is thoroughly chilled, pour it into your ice cream maker. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific ice cream maker. Typically, this involves churning for 20-30 minutes, or until the ice cream has a soft-serve consistency.
- Harden the Ice Cream: Transfer the churned ice cream to an airtight container. Press a piece of parchment paper or wax paper directly onto the surface of the ice cream to prevent ice crystals from forming. Cover the container with its lid.
- Freeze Until Firm: Place the container in the freezer for at least 2-4 hours, or until the Grandma’s Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream is firm enough to scoop.
Why You’ll Love This Grandma’s Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream:
You’ll absolutely adore this Grandma’s Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream for its ridiculously creamy texture and the pure, unadulterated taste of real vanilla that dances on your tongue. Unlike many store-bought options that can taste artificial or overly sweet, this homemade version celebrates the subtle, natural beauty of vanilla, making it a truly comforting dessert. Plus, think of the savings – you can create a batch of premium ice cream for a fraction of the cost of a carton from the freezer aisle, allowing you to indulge more often!
Imagine topping this luscious vanilla base with warm berry compote, a drizzle of rich chocolate sauce, or a sprinkle of toasted nuts – the possibilities are endless. It’s a versatile canvas for your sweetest creations! This simple yet profound recipe offers a taste of nostalgia and a tangible reward for your efforts. Don’t just dream about delicious homemade ice cream; grab your ingredients and experience the magic of Grandma’s Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream for yourself!
Storing and Reheating Tips:
To store Grandma’s Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream, always use an airtight container. Press a piece of parchment paper or wax paper directly onto the surface of the ice cream before sealing the lid. This will help prevent ice crystals from forming, which can affect the texture. Properly stored, homemade vanilla ice cream can last for up to 2 weeks in the freezer.
If your ice cream becomes too hard to scoop after freezing, let it sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes to soften slightly before serving. There is no reheating needed for ice cream; the goal is to keep it frozen! If you want to prepare it ahead of time for a party, simply churn and freeze as instructed.
Final Thoughts:
Grandma’s Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream is more than just a dessert; it’s a spoonful of nostalgia and pure, unadulterated joy. Give this simple, heartwarming recipe a try, and you’ll discover the incredibly rewarding experience of creating your own perfect scoop at home.
Grandma’s Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a medium saucepan, whisk together the whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, and a pinch of salt over medium heat.2 cups whole milk, 1 1/2 cups heavy cream, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 pinch salt
- Stir the mixture constantly, ensuring the sugar dissolves completely. The goal is to heat the mixture until it’s steaming, but do not boil. Boiling can scald the milk and alter the delicate flavor. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes.
- Once the milk and cream mixture is hot and steaming, remove it from the heat. Stir in the pure vanilla extract. The quality of your vanilla extract will significantly impact the final flavor, so use a good one!1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- Pour the mixture into a clean bowl or pitcher. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap, pressing the wrap directly onto the surface of the liquid to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight. This chilling step is crucial for allowing the flavors to meld and for the base to be sufficiently cold for churning.
- Once your base is thoroughly chilled, pour it into your ice cream maker. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific ice cream maker. Typically, this involves churning for 20-30 minutes, or until the ice cream has a soft-serve consistency.
- Transfer the churned ice cream to an airtight container. Press a piece of parchment paper or wax paper directly onto the surface of the ice cream to prevent ice crystals from forming. Cover the container with its lid.
- Place the container in the freezer for at least 2-4 hours, or until the Grandma’s Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream is firm enough to scoop.