Skip to content
French Vanilla Custard, served
AI-generated photo, not of a test batch

French Vanilla Custard

Dense, silky and pale gold, with the deep, rounded vanilla flavor that only an egg-yolk custard gives.

Hands-on
30 min
Cooling
30 min
Freeze
24 h
Program
Ice Cream
Makes
4 servings6 servings

Ingredients

6 ingredients
Measure in
TubPint size

Tap an ingredient when it is in the bowl

heavy creamwhole milkegg yolkgranulated sugarfine saltvanilla extract max fill
heavy creamwhole milkegg yolkgranulated sugarfine saltvanilla extract max fill

444 of 473 ml666 of 709 ml

In the tubpintScale reads

TubsPints
1

Steps

  1. Heat 150 ml whipping cream150 ml whipping cream⅔ cup heavy cream225 ml whipping cream230 ml whipping cream1 cup heavy cream and 180 ml whole milk180 ml whole milk¾ cup whole milk270 ml whole milk270 ml whole milk1 cup + 2 tbsp whole milk in a saucepan over medium heat until steaming.
  2. Whisk 4 egg yolks4 egg yolks4 egg yolks6 egg yolks6 egg yolks6 egg yolks, 60 g caster or granulated sugar70 ml caster or granulated sugar¼ cup + 1 tbsp granulated sugar90 g caster or granulated sugar110 ml caster or granulated sugar⅓ cup + 2 tbsp granulated sugar and a pinch of fine salta pinch of fine salta pinch of fine salta pinch of fine salta pinch of fine salta pinch of fine salt in a bowl until pale.
  3. Slowly whisk in half of the hot milk, then pour everything back into the pan.
  4. Stir over low heat until it coats a spoon, about 80 °C176 °F, 5 to 8 minutes. Do not boil.
  5. Off the heat, stir in 2 tsp vanilla extract or paste2 tsp vanilla extract or paste2 tsp vanilla extract1 tbsp vanilla extract or paste1 tbsp vanilla extract or paste1 tbsp vanilla extract. Strain into the tubpint, cool in an ice bath, then put the lid on.
  6. Once it is completely cool, freeze the tubpint on a level shelf for 24 hours.
  7. Take the lid off, set the tubpint in the outer bowl and lock it into the machine. Run Ice Cream.
  8. If it looks crumbly or powdery, add 15 ml whole milk1 tbsp whole milk1 tbsp whole milk25 ml whole milk1½ tbsp whole milk1½ tbsp whole milk and run Re-spin.

To serve: Serve with fresh berries or a slice of warm fruit pie.

Tips

  • No thermometer? Run a finger across the custard on the back of the spoon. If the line stays clear, it is ready.
  • If the custard starts to look grainy, pull it off the heat, whisk hard, then strain.
  • Save the egg whites for meringues or an omelet. They keep for 3 days in the fridge.

Texture not right? Find the fix in Texture help.

Why it works

Egg yolks add fat and lecithin, a natural emulsifier, which keep ice crystals tiny and the texture dense and silky. Gentle cooking thickens the base and makes the yolks safe to eat.

Nutrition

Per serving (¼ of a 473 ml16 oz tubpint), estimated
274kcal
5 gProtein
19 gFat
19 gCarbs
19 gSugar

Whole tubpint: 1094 kcal, 21 g protein1641 kcal, 32 g protein (709 ml24 oz). Contains: Milk, Egg.

Ratings & reviews

Loading reviews…

Which CREAMi do you have?

The model number is on the bottom of the machine. Your choice is saved in this browser.

Measure in

Allergies

Hide recipes that contain these, everywhere on the site. Always check ingredient labels too.

Hide