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Best Homemade French Vanilla Bean Ice Cream Recipe

Published: Mar 22, 2025 · Modified: Jun 19, 2025 by Stephanie · This post may contain affiliate links ·

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This best homemade french vanilla bean ice cream recipe features a rich and creamy ice cream base made with simple ingredients for the perfect balance of sweetness and smooth texture. Infused with fresh vanilla beans, this classic recipe delivers an intense vanilla flavor that store-bought ice cream just can’t match. Whether you’re serving it on its own or pairing it with your favorite desserts, this homemade treat is easy to make and full of deep, natural vanilla goodness! 

 A close-up of a metal ice cream scooper lifting a perfectly rounded scoop of creamy French vanilla bean ice cream. The ice cream has a smooth, rich texture with visible specks of vanilla bean throughout. The background shows more freshly churned ice cream in a bowl, slightly softened and ready to serve.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.

Table of Contents

  • Why you will love this recipe:
    • Ingredients for the Best Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe​
  • French Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe Instructions
  • Tips for French Vanilla Bean Ice Cream:
  • More Delicious Dessert Recipes
    • Tried this recipe?

I have tried many homemade ice cream recipes and hands down this creamy vanilla ice cream recipe is the best one by far. It has a creamier texture that trumps those store varieties, not to mention, the simple ingredients provide for a cleaner healthier option, that just flat out tastes better.  This homemade french vanilla ice cream pairs beautifully with this homemade caramel sauce recipe and a bit of hot fudge. Our favorite way to have it!

Why you will love this recipe:

  • This french vanilla ice cream recipe contains egg yolk, and unlike it's eggless competitors it provides a thicker, richer consistency similar to that of custard. If you are looking for an ice cream recipe that doesn't contain eggs, then this Espresso Ice Cream is simple and delicious!
  • Removing the vanilla seeds and seeping the seeds along with the pod in the cream mixture gives this rich homemade ice cream a deeper, more decadent vanilla flavor.
  • Both the flavor and texture of this ice cream pairs beautifully with all dessert types such as: homemade strawberry cobbler, juicy strawberry pie, and gooey sourdough brownies.
  • Making your own ice cream allows you to control all of the ingredients being incorporated, keeping it a clean whole food. This allows you to decide how healthy you want to make it. Do you want to use only organic milk, cream, and eggs? Or raw milk and farm fresh eggs? My personal preference! But it's up to you! 
A top-down view of ingredients for homemade French vanilla bean ice cream, neatly arranged on a marble countertop. Ingredients include a bowl of rich egg yolks, a measuring cup of milk, a larger measuring cup of heavy whipping cream, a small dish of pink salt, a whole vanilla bean, and a bowl of unrefined sugar. Each ingredient is labeled, showcasing the simple yet essential components of this creamy, classic dessert.

Ingredients for the Best Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe​

  • 2 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1 ½ cups whole milk
  • 1 ⅓ cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 1 vanilla bean split in half lengthwise and seeded (or 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

French Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe Instructions

Scraped out vanilla bean on a cutting board being scraped into a pot by a knife with cream and milk that has a whisk in it.

STEP 1: Slice the vanilla bean pod lengthwise and scrape out the seeds.

Combing the milk, cream, and salt in a pot next to a wood cutting board, with a cut vanilla bean.

STEP 2: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine heavy cream, milk, vanilla bean seeds, and pod (or vanilla extract). Heat until it’s steaming but not boiling. This will take a few minutes. Then remove from heat and let it sit for 10 minutes to infuse.

Mixing the sugar and egg yolk with with a whisk.

STEP 3: In a large bowl, whisk together egg yolks, sugar, and salt until smooth and pale.

Laddling and tempering the warm cream mixture into the eggs and sugar.

STEP 5: Slowly pour the warm cream mixture into the eggs, whisking vigorously and constantly to prevent curdling. Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Cook until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon (170°F - 175°F, don’t let it boil!). Remove from heat and allow it to rest for 5 minutes.

Pouring the cooked custard mixture through a sift in to a bowl the is sitting in an ice bath.

STEP 6: Pour the ice cream mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a clean bowl to remove any bits of cooked egg. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours (or overnight) until fully chilled. SEE TIPS.

A close-up of creamy, homemade French vanilla bean ice cream scooped into a bowl. The ice cream has a rich, pale yellow color with visible flecks of vanilla bean throughout. A metal ice cream scooper is partially visible, resting in the soft, freshly churned ice cream. The texture appears smooth and luscious, perfect for serving.

STEP 7: Pour the chilled mixture into your ice cream machine and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions (usually 20-30 minutes). Transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for at least 2 hours for a firmer texture.

Tips for French Vanilla Bean Ice Cream:

  • Want mix-ins? Add chocolate chips, crushed cookies, or fruit during the last few minutes of churning!
  • Allowing the ice cream mixture to cool for at least 4 hours in the fridge before churning is necessary for it to churn to the right creamy consistency. I made the mistake of doing it too soon and even though it was only slightly warm, it didn't thicken up enough during the churning process. I then had to place it in to another frozen ice cream container and churned it again.

More Delicious Dessert Recipes

Homemade Soft Caramel Recipe (Without Corn Syrup)

How to Make the Best Homemade TEXAS Size Marshmallows

Simple New York Style Cheesecake Recipe (No Springform Pan)

Sourdough Discard Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies 

Tried this recipe?

I would love to see it! Tag me on Instagram @idiesfarm and #idiesfarm so I can share your beautiful creation!

A close-up of creamy, homemade French vanilla bean ice cream scooped into a bowl. The ice cream has a rich, pale yellow color with visible flecks of vanilla bean throughout. A metal ice cream scooper is partially visible, resting in the soft, freshly churned ice cream. The texture appears smooth and luscious, perfect for serving.

Best Homemade French Vanilla Bean Ice Cream Recipe

This best homemade french vanilla bean ice cream recipe features a rich and creamy ice cream base made with simple ingredients for the perfect balance of sweetness and smooth texture. Infused with fresh vanilla beans, this classic recipe delivers an intense vanilla flavor that store-bought ice cream just can’t match.
Print Pin
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: bean, bowl, cream, egg, french, homemade, ice, mixture, sugar, vanilla
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
4 hours hours 30 minutes minutes
Total Time: 5 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
Servings: 0
Author: Stephanie

Ingredients

  • 2 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1 ½ cups whole milk
  • 1 ⅓ cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 1 vanilla bean split in half lengthwise and seeded or 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Slice the vanilla bean pod lengthwise and scrape out the seeds.
  • In a saucepan over medium heat, combine heavy cream, milk, vanilla bean seeds, and pod (or vanilla extract). Heat until it’s steaming but not boiling. This will take a few minutes. Then remove from heat and let it sit for 10 minutes to infuse.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together egg yolks, sugar, and salt until smooth and pale.
  • Slowly pour the warm cream mixture into the eggs, whisking vigorously and constantly to prevent curdling. Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Cook until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon (170°F - 175°F, don’t let it boil!). Remove from heat and allow it to rest for 5 minutes.
  • Pour the ice cream mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a clean bowl to remove any bits of cooked egg. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours (or overnight) until fully chilled. SEE TIPS.
  • Pour the chilled mixture into your ice cream machine and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions (usually 20-30 minutes). Transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for at least 2 hours for a firmer texture.

Notes

  • Want mix-ins? Add chocolate chips, crushed cookies, or fruit during the last few minutes of churning!
  • Allowing the ice cream mixture to cool for at least 4 hours in the fridge before churning is necessary for it to churn to the right creamy consistency. I made the mistake of doing it too soon and even though it was only slightly warm, it didn't thicken up enough during the churning process. I then had to place it in to another frozen ice cream container and churned it again.

More Dessert Ideas

  • Close-up of a sliced apple fritter showing soft apple chunks, warm spices, and a shiny glaze.
    Amazing Applesauce Fritters with a Simple Glaze
  • Thick and fluffy strawberry whipped cream piped into a glass mason jar, ready to serve or store.
    How to Make Homemade Strawberry Whipped Cream 
  • Plate of thin, golden sourdough crepes stacked with fresh strawberries and a swirl of strawberry whipped cream, served with a fork.
    Easy Sourdough Discard Crepes Recipe
  • Zoomed-in shot of a perfectly baked apple cinnamon muffin with a golden, crunchy streusel topping, ideal for cozy fall mornings.
    Sourdough Discard Apple Cinnamon Muffins Recipe

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