Creamy Homemade Strawberry Vanilla Bean Ice Cream Recipe

The Best Homemade Strawberry Vanilla Bean Ice Cream Recipe

Sweet summer memories dance through this creamy homemade strawberry vanilla bean ice cream that transforms ordinary dessert moments into pure bliss.

Ripe strawberries whisper nostalgic stories from childhood gardens.

Rich vanilla pods add elegant depth to each smooth spoonful.

Culinary magic happens when simple ingredients combine with careful technique.

Fresh cream mingles with vibrant fruit, creating a dessert that feels both luxurious and comforting.

Each scoop promises a delightful escape from everyday stress.

You’ll want to savor this delectable treat slowly, letting every cool, dreamy bite melt on your tongue.

Creamy Strawberry Vanilla Bean Ice Cream Magic

Creamy Strawberry Vanilla Bean Ice Cream Magic
  • Craft Gourmet Dessert at Home: Elevate your culinary skills by creating a restaurant-quality strawberry vanilla bean ice cream without professional training.
  • Customize Your Flavor Profile: Control sugar levels, ingredient quality, and texture to match your exact taste preferences and dietary needs.
  • Impress Your Guests: Serve a homemade dessert that looks and tastes sophisticated, perfect for dinner parties or special celebrations.
  • Indulge in Pure Ingredients: Skip store-bought preservatives and enjoy a fresh, natural dessert made with real strawberries and premium vanilla beans.

Ingredients for Homemade Strawberry Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Fresh Fruit:
  • Strawberries: Juicy and sweet berries that provide a vibrant flavor and natural color to the ice cream.
Dairy Base:
  • Milk, Heavy Cream: Rich and creamy ingredients that create a smooth and luxurious ice cream texture.
  • Egg Yolks: Provide a silky richness and help stabilize the ice cream base.
Sweeteners and Flavoring:
  • Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a smooth, scoopable ice cream texture.
  • Vanilla Bean: Offers a deep, complex vanilla flavor with aromatic and floral notes.

How to Create a Creamy and Smooth Ice Cream at Home

How to Create a Creamy and Smooth Ice Cream at Home

Step 1: Prepare Strawberry Mixture

Grab fresh strawberries and sugar. Combine them in a bowl, letting the mixture sit and macerate for 20 minutes.

Gently mash the strawberries to release their natural juices and create a vibrant fruity base.

Step 2: Infuse Cream Base

Gather these ingredients:
  • Whole milk
  • Heavy cream
  • Vanilla bean

Split the vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape out the tiny seeds.

Combine milk, cream, and vanilla bean in a saucepan. Warm the mixture over medium heat, ensuring it doesn’t reach a boiling point.

The goal is to create a rich, aromatic foundation for the ice cream.

Step 3: Prepare Egg Custard

Separate egg yolks and whisk them with remaining sugar until the mixture transforms into a pale, creamy texture.

This step builds the luxurious base for your homemade ice cream.

Step 4: Temper the Custard

Slowly stream the warm cream mixture into the egg yolks, whisking continuously.

This technique prevents the eggs from scrambling and creates a smooth custard. Transfer the mixture back to the saucepan.

Step 5: Cook the Custard

Cook the mixture over low heat, stirring constantly. Watch for the perfect consistency – it should coat the back of a spoon smoothly.

This indicates the custard is perfectly thickened.

Step 6: Chill the Base

Strain the custard through a fine-mesh sieve to ensure a silky texture.

Allow the mixture to cool completely, then refrigerate for 4 hours. This chilling process helps develop deeper flavors.

Step 7: Churn the Ice Cream

Pour the chilled custard into an ice cream maker. Churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

During the final minutes of churning, fold in the macerated strawberries, creating beautiful swirls of fruity goodness.

Step 8: Freeze and Serve

Transfer the freshly churned ice cream to a freezer-safe container.

Let it firm up for at least 2 hours. When ready, scoop and enjoy the creamy, fruity delight you’ve created from scratch.

Tips for Perfect Texture and Flavor in Your Ice Cream

  • Macerate strawberries ahead of time to intensify their natural sweetness and release delicious juices.
  • Temper egg yolks carefully by adding warm cream gradually to prevent scrambling and ensure a smooth custard base.
  • Use fresh, high-quality vanilla bean for an authentic, rich flavor that elevates the entire dessert.
  • Chill the custard thoroughly before churning to guarantee a creamy, velvety texture in the final ice cream.
  • Allow the ice cream to rest in the freezer for a few hours to develop a perfect scoopable consistency.

Flavor Variations to Customize Your Ice Cream Experience

  • Dairy-Free Dream: Swap heavy cream and milk with coconut milk and coconut cream for a luscious vegan alternative that maintains the creamy texture.
  • No-Churn Wonder: Skip the ice cream maker by whipping condensed milk with whipped cream, folding in strawberries, and freezing for an easy no-machine version.
  • Herb-Infused Edition: Replace vanilla bean with fresh basil or mint leaves during the custard cooking process for an unexpected herbal strawberry flavor profile.
  • Protein Power Scoop: Mix in Greek yogurt or protein powder during the final churning stage to boost nutritional value and create a protein-rich frozen treat.

Serving Suggestions for Homemade Strawberry Vanilla Ice Cream

  • Summer Berry Parfait: Layer scoops of the ice cream with fresh strawberry chunks and crumbled shortbread cookies in clear glasses for an elegant dessert.
  • Breakfast Swirl: Top warm waffles or pancakes with a dollop of the creamy strawberry vanilla ice cream for a decadent morning treat.
  • Milkshake Magic: Blend a few scoops with cold milk and a splash of vanilla extract to create a luxurious strawberry vanilla milkshake that's smooth and refreshing.
  • Romantic Plating: Serve in vintage teacups with a delicate mint leaf and a drizzle of strawberry coulis for an Instagram-worthy presentation that feels sophisticated and charming.

How to Store Homemade Ice Cream for Best Results

  • Store homemade strawberry vanilla bean ice cream in an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid to prevent freezer burn and maintain its creamy texture.
  • Place plastic wrap directly on the surface of the ice cream before sealing the container to minimize ice crystal formation.
  • Keep the ice cream in the coldest part of the freezer, typically the back, where temperature remains most consistent.
  • Consume within one week for the best flavor and texture.

FAQs

  • Can I make this recipe without an ice cream maker?

Yes, you can use the no-churn method by whipping heavy cream until stiff peaks form and folding in the sweetened condensed milk and other ingredients, then freezing.

  • How do I know when the custard is thick enough?

The custard is ready when it coats the back of a spoon and you can draw a line through it with your finger that stays clear without running.

  • Can I use vanilla extract instead of a vanilla bean?

Yes, use 1-2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract as a substitute for the vanilla bean, adding it after the custard has cooled.

  • Is it necessary to strain the custard?

Straining helps remove any potential bits of cooked egg and ensures a smooth, silky texture in your final ice cream.

Print
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Creamy Homemade Strawberry Vanilla Bean Ice Cream Recipe

Creamy Homemade Strawberry Vanilla Bean Ice Cream Recipe


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4.6 from 17 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Smooth homemade strawberry vanilla bean ice cream blends ripe summer strawberries with fragrant Madagascar vanilla. Rich cream and fresh ingredients create a delightful dessert you’ll savor with each elegant spoonful.


Ingredients

Scale

Dairy and Eggs:

  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 4 large egg yolks

Fruits and Sweeteners:

  • 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar

Flavoring:

  • 1 vanilla bean or 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Macerate strawberries with sugar for 20 minutes, gently crushing to release juices and enhance flavor.
  2. Create a vanilla-infused cream base by warming milk, heavy cream, and split vanilla bean to just below boiling point, allowing aromatics to develop.
  3. Whip egg yolks with remaining sugar until mixture transforms into a pale, silky consistency.
  4. Temper egg mixture by gradually incorporating warm cream, whisking continuously to prevent curdling.
  5. Return custard to saucepan, cooking on low heat and stirring until mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon (approximately 170°F).
  6. Strain custard through fine-mesh sieve to ensure smooth texture, then rapidly cool and refrigerate for 4 hours.
  7. Process chilled custard in ice cream maker for 20-25 minutes, incorporating macerated strawberries during final churning moments.
  8. Transfer to freezer-safe container and freeze for minimum 2 hours to allow proper setting and flavor melding.
  9. Let ice cream soften at room temperature for 5 minutes before serving to achieve optimal scooping consistency.

Notes

  • Macerate strawberries thoroughly to release natural sweetness and intensify fruit flavor before mixing into custard base.
  • Temper egg yolks carefully by gradually adding hot milk to prevent scrambling and ensure smooth, silky custard texture.
  • Use fresh, ripe strawberries at peak season for most vibrant and natural fruit taste in the ice cream.
  • Consider dairy-free alternatives by substituting coconut milk and cream for a lighter, plant-based version of this luxurious dessert.
  • Prep Time: 45 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 322 kcal
  • Sugar: 28 g
  • Sodium: 45 mg
  • Fat: 26 g
  • Saturated Fat: 16 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 21 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 150 mg
Jack Monroe

Jack Monroe

Founder & Recipe Innovator

Expertise

Pacific Northwest cuisine, Single-serving recipe development, Sustainable sourcing and cooking, Modern comfort food​

Education

Brightwater
Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Sustainable cooking, seasonal ingredients, and food systems education


Jack grew up with a fishing rod in one hand and a cast-iron skillet in the other. After graduating from Brightwater: A Center for the Study of Food, he set out to prove that cooking for one could still taste like a feast.
Jack believes that food should feel real: fresh, fearless, and a little wild, just like the rivers he grew up around. For Jack, every single dish is a small adventure, and the best ones are the ones you can cook with heart, not hassle.

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