Craving creamy, dreamy vanilla bean ice cream but don't have eggs? This recipe is your solution! Forget expensive store-bought pints packed with artificial ingredients. This eggless vanilla bean ice cream is surprisingly easy to make at home, delivers incredible flavor, and is perfect for a hot summer's day or a cozy night in. It's a healthier alternative to many store-bought options and a delightful demonstration of how delicious homemade cooking can be. Let's dive into this simple, quick dinner-worthy dessert!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped (or 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste)
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
Step 1: Infuse the Cream
In a medium saucepan, combine the heavy cream, whole milk, sugar, vanilla bean seeds (and pod if using), and salt. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves completely. Don't let it boil! Just gently heat until warm.
Step 2: Steep the Flavor
Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the mixture steep for at least 30 minutes. This allows the vanilla bean to infuse its incredible aroma and flavor into the cream. The longer it steeps, the more intense the flavor will be!
Step 3: Remove the Vanilla Bean
After steeping, carefully remove the vanilla bean pod from the cream mixture. Discard the pod, or save it for another culinary creation!
Step 4: Chill the Mixture
Pour the vanilla cream mixture into a container, cover it tightly, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight. This chilling step is crucial for achieving a smooth and creamy texture.
Step 5: Churn the Ice Cream
Once chilled, pour the mixture into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer's instructions. This usually takes about 20-30 minutes.
Step 6: Harden the Ice Cream
Once churned, transfer the ice cream to an airtight container and freeze for at least 2-3 hours to allow it to harden completely. This step allows for optimal texture and flavor development.
Tips for the Best Eggless Vanilla Bean Ice Cream:
- Use high-quality ingredients: The better your ingredients, the better your ice cream will taste. This is especially true for the vanilla bean!
- Don't rush the chilling process: Allowing the mixture to chill thoroughly is essential for preventing ice crystals from forming.
- Adjust sweetness to your liking: If you prefer a less sweet ice cream, reduce the sugar by 1-2 tablespoons.
- Add mix-ins: Get creative! Fold in chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or fresh berries after churning for extra deliciousness.
Variations:
- Coffee Ice Cream: Add 2 tablespoons of instant espresso powder to the cream mixture before chilling.
- Chocolate Ice Cream: Add ½ cup of unsweetened cocoa powder to the cream mixture before chilling.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
This nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on the specific ingredients used. It's always best to calculate your own nutritional information using a nutrition calculator based on your exact ingredients and serving size.
- Calories: Approximately 250
- Fat: Approximately 18g
- Saturated Fat: Approximately 11g
- Sugar: Approximately 20g
Enjoy your homemade, delicious eggless vanilla bean ice cream! It’s a healthy and easy dessert recipe perfect for any occasion. Share your creations with us – we'd love to see your beautiful homemade ice cream!