Dreamy Homemade Strawberry Vanilla Bean Ice Cream Recipe

Cool summer afternoons demand a delightful homemade strawberry vanilla bean ice cream that melts perfectly on your tongue.

Sweet berries dance with fragrant vanilla pods in this creamy dream.

Local farmers’ markets burst with ripe strawberries perfect for crafting this dessert.

Rich cream and fresh ingredients combine to create a luscious treat that feels like pure indulgence.

Smooth vanilla beans add elegant complexity to each spoonful.

No store-bought version can match the pure satisfaction of this handcrafted delight.

Each scoop promises a moment of pure bliss that you’ll savor slowly.

What Makes Strawberry Vanilla Bean Ice Cream Special

• Conquer Breakfast Quickly: Grab pre-cooked sausages and crescent dough to transform ordinary morning meals into delightful handheld treats perfect for busy families.
• Customize with Ease: Experiment with different dipping sauces like maple syrup, ketchup, or honey mustard to match everyone's taste preferences and make breakfast exciting.
• Kid-Approved Delight: Small, portable breakfast bites that children can hold and enjoy, making morning mealtime fun and stress-free for parents who want to encourage independent eating.
• Minimal Cleanup Magic: Using parchment paper and simple ingredients means less washing up, allowing more time to enjoy breakfast together without dreading post-meal kitchen chaos.

What’s in This Strawberry Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

• Heavy Cream: A rich and creamy ingredient that provides a smooth, luxurious texture to the ice cream.
• Milk: Adds lightness and helps create a balanced, silky ice cream base.

• Sugar: Enhances sweetness and helps create a smooth, scoopable ice cream texture.
• Vanilla Bean Seeds: Offers a deep, complex vanilla flavor with aromatic and floral notes.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides an additional layer of pure vanilla flavor to the ice cream.

• Egg Yolks: Creates a rich, custard-like base that helps prevent ice crystals and adds a smooth, creamy texture.
• Salt: Balances and enhances the overall flavor of the ice cream.

• Strawberries: Adds a fresh, sweet-tart flavor and beautiful color to the ice cream.

Making Strawberry Vanilla Bean Ice Cream Smoothly

Step 1: Prepare Strawberry Base

Grab fresh strawberries and sugar. Sprinkle sugar over the berries and let them sit.

During this time, the strawberries will release their natural juices and become slightly soft. Use a fork or potato masher to gently crush the berries, creating a delightful chunky texture that will infuse your ice cream with intense berry flavor.

Step 2: Warm Cream Mixture

Pour heavy cream and milk into a saucepan. Split a vanilla bean and scrape out the precious seeds.

Add both the seeds and the pod to the liquid. Warm the mixture over medium heat until it’s steaming and fragrant.

Remove the vanilla pod after heating.

Step 3: Prepare Egg Custard Base

Separate egg yolks into a clean bowl.

Add remaining sugar and a pinch of salt. Whisk vigorously until the mixture turns pale and creamy.

This process helps create a smooth, rich custard foundation for your ice cream.

Step 4: Combine Cream and Egg Mixture

Gradually pour the warm cream into the egg mixture, whisking constantly.

This technique prevents the eggs from scrambling. Transfer the combined liquid back to the saucepan and cook, stirring continuously until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.

Step 5: Chill the Custard

Strain the custard through a fine-mesh sieve to ensure a silky texture. Stir in vanilla extract for an extra flavor boost.

Allow the mixture to cool completely, then refrigerate for several hours until thoroughly chilled.

Step 6: Churn and Mix

Pour the cold custard into an ice cream maker.

Churn according to the machine’s instructions. In the final minutes of churning, fold in the prepared strawberry mixture, creating beautiful swirls of fruit throughout the ice cream.

Step 7: Freeze and Serve

Transfer the freshly churned ice cream to a freezer-safe container. Allow it to firm up for at least 2 hours.

When ready, scoop and enjoy the creamy, fruity dessert that you’ve crafted from scratch.

Helpful Notes for Strawberry Vanilla Ice Cream

• Macerate strawberries beforehand to intensify their natural sweetness and release juices for a more vibrant flavor profile.
• Use fresh, high-quality vanilla beans for an authentic, rich vanilla taste that elevates the entire dessert.
• Allow the custard base to chill thoroughly in the refrigerator to develop deeper, more complex flavors before churning.
• Fold strawberries gently during the last few minutes of churning to create beautiful swirls and prevent color bleeding throughout the ice cream.
• Store homemade ice cream in an airtight container with plastic wrap pressed directly on the surface to prevent ice crystal formation and maintain creamy texture.

Flavor Twists for Strawberry Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

• Berry Blend Bliss: Replace strawberries with a mix of raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries for a multi-berry frozen treat.
• Chocolate Chip Swirl: Fold in dark chocolate chips during the last churning minutes for a rich, chocolatey version.
• Lavender Honey Infusion: Substitute sugar with honey and add dried lavender buds for a floral, aromatic ice cream experience.
• Roasted Pistachio Paradise: Stir in chopped roasted pistachios and a hint of almond extract for a nutty, crunchy variation.

Best Way to Present Strawberry Vanilla Ice Cream

• Berry Swirl Delight: Create elegant parfaits by layering the ice cream with fresh strawberry slices and crushed graham crackers in clear glasses for a stunning visual presentation.
• Summer Sundae Sensation: Top scoops with warm homemade strawberry compote, fresh mint leaves, and a delicate sprinkle of toasted almond slivers for a gourmet dessert experience.
• Breakfast Indulgence: Serve alongside warm buttermilk waffles or pancakes, drizzling extra strawberry sauce and adding a light dusting of powdered sugar for a decadent morning treat.
• Cocktail Companion: Use small scoops as a luxurious garnish for champagne cocktails or as a creamy base for adult milkshakes mixed with strawberry liqueur.

How to Store Strawberry Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

• Transfer the ice cream to an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid. Seal carefully to prevent freezer burn and maintain the creamy texture.
• Use a freezer-safe container with a plastic wrap pressed directly onto the ice cream surface to minimize ice crystal formation and preserve freshness.
• Keep the ice cream at a consistent freezer temperature of 0°F (-18°C) or lower to prevent texture degradation and maintain optimal flavor quality.
• Enjoy the homemade strawberry vanilla bean ice cream within 1-2 weeks for the best taste and texture, as homemade ice cream tends to lose its smoothness over time.

FAQs

• Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh ones?

Frozen strawberries work, but fresh ones provide better flavor and texture. Thaw and drain frozen strawberries before using to prevent excess moisture.

• 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 holds its shape. This indicates it has reached the right consistency.

• What if I don't have an ice cream maker?

You can make no-churn ice cream by whipping heavy cream, folding in sweetened condensed milk and strawberries, then freezing. Alternatively, freeze the mixture, stirring every hour to break up ice crystals.

Homemade Strawberry Vanilla Bean Ice Cream Recipe

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4.7 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Homemade strawberry vanilla bean ice cream blends luscious summer berries with rich, creamy vanilla for a perfect dessert. Smooth, cold spoonfuls will transport you to sweet memories of sunshine and indulgence.

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Ingredients

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• 2 cups fresh strawberries (hulled and sliced)
• 3/4 cup (170 g) granulated sugar
• 2 cups (480 ml) heavy cream
• 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
• 4 large egg yolks
• 1 vanilla bean (split and scraped)
• 1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Macerate strawberries by mixing with sugar and allowing to rest for 15 minutes, gently crushing them to release juices and intensify flavor.
2. Infuse cream and milk with vanilla bean seeds by warming in a saucepan over medium heat until steaming, then remove vanilla pod.
3. Create a rich custard base by whisking egg yolks with remaining sugar and salt until the mixture becomes pale and smooth.
4. Temper the egg mixture by gradually streaming warm cream into yolks while continuously whisking to prevent curdling.
5. Return the combined mixture to the saucepan, cooking over medium-low heat and stirring constantly until the custard thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
6. Strain the custard through a fine-mesh sieve to ensure a silky texture, then incorporate vanilla extract and cool completely.
7. Chill the custard in the refrigerator for a minimum of 4 hours or overnight to develop deep flavors.
8. Process the chilled mixture in an ice cream maker for 20-25 minutes until it reaches a soft-serve consistency.
9. Fold the macerated strawberries into the churned ice cream during the final moments of freezing.
10. Transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for 2-3 hours until firm, allowing flavors to meld and texture to set.

Notes

• Boost natural sweetness by using ripe, in-season strawberries for maximum flavor depth.
• Consider straining macerated strawberries to prevent ice crystals and maintain smooth texture during freezing.
• Try alternative milks like coconut or almond for dairy-free adaptation without compromising creamy consistency.
• Use fresh vanilla bean for superior aroma, but pure extract works as budget-friendly substitute when whole beans are unavailable.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 324
• Sugar: 27 g
• Sodium: 55 mg
• Fat: 26 g
• Saturated Fat: 16 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 165 mg