Ice Cream Base

4.8
(140)
112 Reviews
11 Photos

A custard-style ice cream base -- from my favorite chef -- that any number of flavors can be added to. We have used chocolate, banana, strawberry, cookie dough, and blueberries, and all were wonderful!

Submitted by Autumn Pumpkin
Updated on August 27, 2023
close up view of scoops of blackberry ice cream with fresh blackberries in a bowl shaped like a waffle with a spoon
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Prep Time:
5 mins
Cook Time:
10 mins
Additional Time:
10 hrs 30 mins
Total Time:
10 hrs 45 mins
Servings:
8
Yield:
8 servings
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 8 servings

  • 1 cup heavy cream

  • 3 cups half-and-half cream

  • 8 egg yolks

  • 1 cup white sugar

  • ⅛ teaspoon salt

Directions

  1. Pour the heavy cream and half-and-half cream into a heavy saucepan, place over medium-low heat, and heat until barely simmering, stirring frequently. Turn the heat down to low.

  2. Whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, and salt in a large bowl until thoroughly combined.

  3. Slowly pour about 1/2 cup of hot cream mixture into the egg yolk mixture, whisking constantly. Repeat three times more, whisking thoroughly before adding each additional 1/2 cup of hot cream to the egg yolk mixture. Pour the egg yolk mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining hot cream, and whisk constantly over medium-low heat until the mixture thickens and will coat the back of a spoon, 5 to 8 minutes. Do not let mixture boil.

  4. Pour the ice cream base into a bowl and allow to cool for about 20 minutes; place in refrigerator and chill overnight. The next day, pour into an ice cream maker, and freeze according to the manufacturer's directions. Remove the ice cream, pack into a covered container, and freeze for 2 hours or overnight before serving.

Recipe Tips

For a chocolate base, add 1/2 cup cocoa powder with the egg yolks, sugar, and salt in Step 2.

For a vanilla base, stir in 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract in Step 4 before chilling overnight.

For a fruity base, stir in 1 cup of puréed fruit (such as strawberries, bananas, peaches, etc.) in Step 4 before chilling overnight.

216 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

370 Calories
26g Fat
30g Carbs
6g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Calories 370
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 26g 33%
Saturated Fat 15g 75%
Cholesterol 279mg 93%
Sodium 93mg 4%
Total Carbohydrate 30g 11%
Total Sugars 25g
Protein 6g 12%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 136mg 10%
Iron 1mg 3%
Potassium 159mg 3%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.