
Berry Vanilla Ice Cream combines juicy strawberries with aromatic vanilla bean for a smooth, dreamy treat. This pairing creates a rich, velvety dessert that's ideal for cooling down during summer months or enjoying as a sweet finish to any meal year-round. Fresh vanilla beans give it complex flavor notes while ripe berries add natural sweetness and a gorgeous pink hue.
INGREDIENTS- Ripe strawberries: 2 cups, trimmed and chopped, providing fruity goodness
- Salt: Pinch, to boost overall taste
- Whole milk: 1 cup, for silky consistency
- Heavy cream: 1 cup, for luxurious texture
- Granulated sugar: ¾ cup, for desired sweetness
- Vanilla bean: 1, cut lengthwise with seeds removed, for authentic flavor
- Step 8:
- Dish up in bowls or cones and savor the silky strawberry-vanilla goodness!
- Step 7:
- Put the finished ice cream into a freezer-safe container and let it set for a few hours until solid.
- Step 6:
- Pour the cold mixture into an ice cream maker and follow the device's churning directions.
- Step 5:
- Empty the blended mixture into a bowl and chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours or leave overnight.
- Step 4:
- Take out and throw away the vanilla pod, then mix everything with a blender until perfectly smooth.
- Step 3:
- Take off heat and allow mixture to steep for 30 minutes to deepen flavors.
- Step 2:
- Heat the mixture on medium, stirring now and then, until it starts to bubble slightly.
- Step 1:
- Mix strawberries, vanilla seeds (keep the empty pod too), heavy cream, milk, sugar, and salt in a pot.
- For easier scooping, let the ice cream sit out for 5-10 minutes before serving.
- Keep your ice cream fresh in a sealed container in the freezer for up to a week.
- Add a tiny splash of lemon juice to make the strawberry flavor pop.
- Soaking the strawberries in some sugar beforehand can really bring out their flavor.
Tips from Well-Known Chefs
- Want more vanilla punch? Add a tiny bit of vanilla extract just before you start churning.
This handcrafted Berry Vanilla Bean Ice Cream makes the ultimate warm-weather indulgence, showcasing the natural sweetness of fresh strawberries alongside rich vanilla bean flavors. It's wonderfully creamy, totally refreshing, and simple to whip up at home, making it a top pick for anyone who loves good ice cream.
How to Make Ahead and StoreYou can mix up the base a full day before and keep it in your fridge until you're ready to churn. After churning, just pop it in an airtight container in your freezer.
FAQsCan I use berries from the freezer?
Sure thing. Just make sure you thaw them first and drain off any extra juice.
What if I don't have an ice cream maker?
No problem. Just put your mixture in a flat dish, freeze it, and give it a good stir every half hour until it's set.
Will vanilla extract work instead of beans?
Absolutely. Just use 2 teaspoons of extract if you can't find vanilla beans.
How do I stop my ice cream from getting too hard?
Try adding a tablespoon of vodka or another spirit to your mix. It'll help keep things scoopable.
