Vanilla ice cream

Vanilla Ice Cream - a quick and simple dessert

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooling time: 4-6 hours
Total time: 4-6 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 4-6 servings

Vanilla ice cream is a classic dessert that brings joy to both children and adults. This simple and quick recipe will help you prepare a creamy and delicious ice cream, perfect for warm days or as an accompaniment to a slice of cake.

Ingredients:

- 500 ml whole milk
- 150 g granulated sugar
- 200 ml heavy cream (minimum 30% fat)
- 1 vanilla bean (or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)
- 50 g butter (at room temperature)

Instructions:

1. Preparing the base mixture: In a large bowl, add the milk and granulated sugar. Use a whisk to mix well until the sugar is completely dissolved. It is essential to have a homogeneous mixture, free of sugar crystals.

2. Incorporating the butter: Add the room temperature butter to the milk and sugar mixture. Use a mixer or whisk to mix well. This step is crucial to avoid lumps. The butter enriches the ice cream's texture, giving it a special creaminess.

3. Flavoring: Split the vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape out the seeds. Add both the seeds and the pod into the milk mixture. If using vanilla extract, add it now. Let the mixture sit for 10-15 minutes to infuse the vanilla flavor into the milk.

4. Adding the cream: After the mixture has rested, remove the vanilla pod (if used) and add the heavy cream. Gently mix with a spatula or whisk until everything is well combined.

5. Cooling the mixture: Transfer the mixture into an airtight container and place it in the freezer. Let it cool for 4-6 hours. If you have an ice cream maker, you can use this tool to achieve a more aerated texture.

6. Serving: Once the ice cream has hardened, take it out of the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before serving, to become slightly softer and easier to scoop.

Practical tips:

- For an even more flavorful ice cream, you can add a few drops of rum or a pinch of salt to enhance the sweetness.
- Experiment with different flavors: add chocolate chunks, berries, or roasted nuts to the ice cream mixture before freezing.
- If you don’t have an ice cream maker, stir the ice cream every 30 minutes for the first 2 hours to prevent ice crystals from forming and to achieve a creamier texture.

Serving suggestion: Serve vanilla ice cream with warm chocolate sauce, fresh fruits, or even alongside an apple crumble for a delicious contrast. This vanilla ice cream recipe is not only simple but can also become the perfect base for various combinations, allowing you to play with flavors. Enjoy!