It is rich and creamy with a classic vanilla flavor that store-bought vanilla ice cream simply cannot replicate.

Learn how to make ice cream at home, and never buy a mediocre pint again.

What Makes Homemade Ice Cream So Good?

Southern Living Vanilla Ice Cream scooping out of the pan

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(Thickening of the custard is essential for a thick and creamy ice cream that reduces icy crystals.)

Ingredients for Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

Homemade ice cream does not require a multitude of ingredients.

If you’ve got the option to wait, it’s worth it.

Southern Living Vanilla Ice Cream ingredients

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Heating the custard past 180F can result in an overly dense, gummy texture in the finished ice cream.

If stored properly, homemade ice cream lasts up to three weeks.

More Homemade Ice Cream Recipes To Try

Theres more where this came from.

Southern Living Vanilla Ice Cream in bowls to serve

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Warm cream and milk:

Place vanilla bean pods and seeds in a medium saucepan.

Stir in heavy cream and milk.

Bring to a simmer over medium.

Southern Living Vanilla Ice Cream scraping the seeds from the vanilla bean pod

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Return milk mixture to a simmer over medium.

Remove milk mixture from heat.

Gradually add 1 cup warm milk mixture to egg yolk mixture, whisking constantly.

Southern Living Vanilla Ice Cream heating the milk mixture

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Whisk egg yolk mixture back into remaining warm milk mixture in saucepan.

Strain and chill custard:

Fill a large bowl with ice water.

Pour custard through a fine-mesh strainer into an airtight container; discard solids.

Southern Living Vanilla Ice Cream tempering in the eggs for the milk mixture

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Store ice cream in an airtight container in freezer for up to 3 weeks.

Its also readily available in the baking aisle.

High-quality ingredients also contribute to the creaminess of homemade ice cream.

Southern Living Vanilla Ice Cream cooking the custard until thickened

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Southern Living Vanilla Ice Cream straining the custard

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Southern Living Vanilla Ice Cream churning the ice cream

Credit:Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

Southern Living Vanilla Ice Cream scooping the ice cream into the loaf pan

Credit:Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle