Vanilla ice cream is one of the most popular ice cream flavors around the world. While some people flock ice cream shops, supermarkets and other places that sell vanilla ice cream to buy it, more and more people are opting to make their own ice cream because it is more economical than buying it and gives one the chance to customize the recipe to suit their preferred taste.

As a result, many recipes have been made to make different forms of vanilla ice cream. Vanilla comes from pods of the vanilla plants and the most common types of vanillas are Tahitian, Mexican and Bourbon. Each has a unique taste. The vanilla can be bought as vanilla extract or as the vanilla pods where one can remove the vanilla seeds.

The custard based recipe is one of the many recipes that guarantees rich and creamy vanilla ice cream. For this you require:

1) 1 vanilla pod that is scored down in the middle

2) 375ml of heavy or double cream, 375ml of full cream milk

3) 100g of caster sugar

4) 5 beaten egg yolks.

A tablespoon of corn flour gives a thicker texture but it is optional.

To prepare, pour the cream milk into a source pan while heating slowly but not until it boils and then put the pods in the milk for about 20 minutes. Beat and mix the egg yolks and sugar in a ball until the mixture is thick. Then scrape the seeds from the vanilla pod and pour into the milk before pouring into the sugar and egg yolk mixture while stirring. Heat the mixture gently while continuing to stir until the custard thickens but not to boiling point. When a film forms over the back of the spoon, the mixture is ready to be removed from the heat. Lastly leave it to cool and when it is cold stir in the heavy cream and then transfer to a chilled bowl. Refrigerate overnight then transfer the mixture into an ice maker then freeze depending on the ice maker. This serves around 8 to 12 people.

However, for people who do not eat eggs, there are still many alternatives recipes that are still as delicious even though less rich.

One such recipe needs the following ingredients:

1) Three quarter cup of sugar

2) Two cups of creamed milk

3) Two cups of heavy cream

4) A tablespoon of vanilla extract.

To prepare, Mix the milk and heavy cream in a large bowl and whisk in the sugar gradually until fully blended in the mixture. Then, also whisk in the vanilla extract. Next, cover the bowl with a plastic wrap then leave refrigerated until the mixture is very cold probably for about three hours. Whisk the mixture before pouring it into the ice cream maker’s canister and freeze depending on the directions provided by the manufacturer. The ice cream is then ready to eat or can be refrigerated in a covered container for future use. This serves about 5 people.

To make a simple southern vanilla ice cream, which is another popular recipe for home made vanilla ice cream, prepare the following ingredients:

1) Three quarter cup sugar

2) Two large eggs

3) two cups milk

4) A cup of heavy cream

5) A tablespoon of vanilla extract.

For the preparation of the ice cream, first beat the eggs in a mixing bowl and add sugar while whisking until the mixture becomes thickened and pale yellow. Bring the milk to simmer in a saucepan and add it to the egg and sugar mixture slowly while taking breaks to beat it into the eggs to prevent them from scrambling. The pour the mixture into a saucepan and heat slowly until it thickens to the texture of a heavy cream then remove from the heat before it heats too much and the eggs scramble. Add a cup of heavy cream and vanilla extracts to the custard and cover before refrigerating. Lastly freeze it in the ice cream maker according to the instructions.

The vanilla ice cream can be used as a topping for pies and cakes because of its subtle taste or eaten as a snack the way it is or smothered with caramel sauce, dark chocolate sauce and various toasted nuts.

The recipes guarantees finger licking vanilla ice cream that suits the preferred taste unlike the one sold where one is restricted to a few varieties. The ingredients are easily accessible in nearby grocery stores and a simple and affordable ice cream maker at the nearest convenience stores.