Walking into ice cream parlors always leaves me feeling overwhelmed.
Do I get blueberry crunch ice cream? Nanimo Bar frozen yogurt? Banana fudge gelato?
Sure, I love the variety, but I can barely make up my mind about what clothes to wear in the morning, how can I possibly choose an ice cream flavor when each one sounds better than the last?
This was the exact scenario that I experienced yesterday. Although, one of the first things I noticed while looking at the menu at the ice cream parlor was that they didn’t have vanilla ice cream. They probably had every other type of flavor under the sun, but no good old plain vanilla.
This kind of made me sad. I mean, most of the ice cream recipes I have made have been vanilla. The most requested thing that my boyfriend asks me to make is my vanilla ice cream which he tells me is the best ice cream he has ever tried. (Maybe he’s just trying to flatter me, but I’m not complaining) It is one of the few recipes that I have made more than once.
So what did I do? I set out and bought some vanilla beans (for the first time in my life actually) and decided to make some vanilla bean ice cream. That is, of course, after I got a salted caramel ice cream cone for the road.
This vanilla bean ice cream is super easy, I don’t think I will experiment with other vanilla ice cream recipes ever again. With only 3 ingredients, you can knock it up in no time.
Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 3 cups half and half
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the half and half, sugar and vanilla bean seeds. Mix in the vanilla bean pod and mix over medium heat until the sugar is melted. Remove from heat.
- Refrigerate until completely cold, preferably overnight.
- Remove the vanilla bean and freeze in your ice cream maker according to manufacturer’s instructions.
- Place the ice cream in an airtight container and freeze until ready to serve.
Notes
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Hi Cathleen, your ice cream look so refreshing and smooth. Thanks for sharing the simple recipe. I love using vanilla bean in ice cream cos it's extremely fragrant. 🙂
Have a nice week ahead.
Such a simple and classic dessert! Everyone loves ice cream!
Hi there, Cathleen.
Thanks for stopping by my blog. Got your name in the drawing for my giveaway.
Great recipe, truly authentic ice cream. Gotta find my machine and make this soon!
I love this fresh and classic ice cream – tradition is awesome 😀
Cheers
CCU
Ice cream looks so smooth & yummy !!
Hi Cathleen , love ice cream any way you dip it , thanks for sharing :).
I have such a hard time deciding on ice cream flavors too!
Really good vanilla ice cream is very rare–people are so used to imitation vanilla, they forget that real vanilla is tasty on its own. Particularly since there are so many add-ins and weird flavors out there.
Vanilla ice is still my top favourite. Yours looks terrific!
I just wrote a whole post on how vanilla can be sexy! And here you are with this luscious ice cream. WIN.
Now that is some impressive ice cream for only three ingredient! Classic vanilla really doesn't get the love it deserves, but I don't see how anyone could turn down a scoop of this.
Hey Cathleen, i am enjoying reading your blog!! And i have been on lookout for a perfect vanilla ice cream recipe since forever!! Thanks for sharing..
Can we ever go wrong with a perfect vanilla icecream, no way. This ones a winner for sure.
Divine! My husband would love a scoop of this. Heck, me too 😀
I love a simple ice cream. We haven't made nearly enough this summer. If I had found more tasty recipes that were this easy, I probably would have made more! This is just gorgeous!
Wow, only 3 ingredients?! This recipe is certainly a win!
You can definitely tell ice cream shops by their basic flavors, such as vanilla. Using vanilla beans is definitely awesome for ice cream. You can really taste them, making it worth the splurge!
We always need to have a recipe for the classics too, and this classic vanilla bean ice cream looks FABULOUS! When the weather heats up again sometime in the far future, I’m going to try your recipe.
I hope you do! It is one of my favourites 🙂
I don’t mind a mint choc chip or a cherry icecream, but vanilla is where it’s at! This looks so creamy and smooth. I must try it!
You do! I am a vanilla loving girl myself too 🙂
You had me at vanilla ice cream, my absolute favorite! Vanilla bean is even better. I really need to get an ice cream maker!
You must!! It is so good!
Vanilla Bean ice cream is one of my favorites. There is nothing plain about it and there’s something to be said about a classic!
I am glad I am not the only one who thinks so 🙂
Love this simple ice cream maker! It is reliable and delicious every time. Sometimes I add a pinch of salt too.
Yes!! I always have some in my freezer 😉
My favourite ice cream flavour is Cherry but you really can’t beat a good vanilla!
Katie xoxo
My husband HATES cherry, so he is always requesting this. But also love cherry ice cream!!
Nothing better than really good, old fashioned vanilla beans in my book! I have vanilla beans in my pantry right now! Love the ice cream…pure vanilla is the best.
I totally agree! Hope you give it a go 🙂
Can this be made without an ice cream maker, as i don’t possess one,
Or am i going to have to invest in one.
Thanks for your recipes they are great
And being lactose intolerant, can i yse oat milk or another alternative
Regards
Steve
I have only ever made this with an ice cream maker, so I don’t think so.
This ice cream however is no churn:
https://www.atasteofmadness.com/2015/07/no-churn-vanilla-bean-ice-cream.html
I have never tried it without whipping cream, but you could try it with another alternative.
My 10-year-old daughter used your recipe to make her 4-H homemade ice cream project and was named champion of her division tonight! The recipe was easy to follow and the flavor and consistency are so good. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear she bought this at the grocery.
This comment makes me so happy!! I am so glad that it worked out for your daughter! This is definitely one of my favourite ice cream recipes on my site!