Description
This Frozen Custard recipe creates a rich and creamy dessert with a velvety texture that’s perfect for warm days or whenever you crave a smooth, indulgent treat. Made with heavy cream, whole milk, and egg yolks, the custard base is gently cooked and chilled before churning in an ice cream maker to achieve the perfect balance between ice cream and traditional custard.
Ingredients
Custard Base
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
- 5 large egg yolks (room temperature)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Heat base: Combine the heavy cream, whole milk, granulated sugar, and kosher salt in a medium saucepan. Heat the mixture on medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is completely dissolved, about 5 minutes.
- Temper eggs: In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks until smooth and well blended. Slowly drizzle in about 1/2 cup of the warm cream mixture into the yolks while whisking continuously to gently raise their temperature and prevent curdling.
- Thicken custard: Pour the tempered egg yolk mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining warm cream mixture. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the custard thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Avoid boiling to keep the texture smooth.
- Strain and chill: Pour the hot custard through a fine mesh sieve into a clean bowl to remove any cooked egg bits or lumps. Stir in the vanilla extract. Allow the custard to cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours until thoroughly chilled.
- Churn: Transfer the chilled custard base to an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer's instructions until it achieves a soft-serve texture. For a firmer frozen custard, transfer it to a container and freeze for an additional 3 to 4 hours before serving.
Notes
- Be careful not to boil the custard during cooking to avoid curdling.
- Tempering the eggs ensures a smooth custard without scrambled egg bits.
- Using room temperature eggs helps prevent the mixture from curdling when adding warm milk.
- For best results, chill the custard base thoroughly before churning.
- You can add mix-ins like chocolate chips or fruit after churning if desired.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
