If you desire to learn how to make custard ice cream, this blog post will walk you through the entire process of making your own delicious custard ice cream.
Meanwhile, custard ice cream is a special dessert with a rich, creamy texture and appealing flavor profile. Its base is made by blending milk, cream, sugar, and egg yolks, creating a smooth consistency that melts in the mouth.
Furthermore, you can add a touch of creativity to this classic treat by infusing various flavors like vanilla, chocolate, fruits, or nuts. Interestingly, you can prepare this creamy, and delicious scoop of custard ice cream directly in your kitchen. With a few simple steps, you’ll have a colorful and tasty dessert ready to serve. Read on to learn how to make custard ice cream.
What is the Origin of Custard Ice Cream?
The origin of ice cream custard can be traced back to ancient China, where a mixture of milk and rice was frozen to create a dessert similar to ice cream. Over the years, variations of frozen desserts using milk, cream, and sweeteners spread to different parts of the world.
In Europe, custard-based desserts became popular during the Renaissance period, with recipes evolving to include eggs, sugar, and flavorings. These custard recipes were often served chilled or frozen.
Today, the modern concept of frozen custard, a creamy and rich frozen dessert made with egg yolks, cream, sugar, and flavorings, is attributed to the United States. It gained popularity in the early 20th century, particularly in places like Coney Island, New York.
Furthermore, frozen custard was first introduced by ice cream vendors Archie and Elton Kohr in 1919. They found that adding egg yolks to ice cream created a smoother and creamier texture, leading to the creation of frozen custard. Today, we have so many restaurants dedicated to selling their version of frozen custard. Before we talk about how to make custard ice cream, let’s look at some benefits of this dessert.
Benefits of Custards Ice Cream
Custard ice cream offers several benefits for individuals. Firstly, it contains essential nutrients like calcium, protein, and vitamins from dairy ingredients, contributing to bone health and overall nutrition. Secondly, its combination of carbohydrates, fats, and sugars can provide a quick energy boost, making it a satisfying treat.
Moreover, consuming ice cream, including custard ice cream, can stimulate the release of endorphins, improving mood and promoting a sense of happiness. Additionally, during hot weather, enjoying a cold dessert like custard ice cream can help cool the body and provide relief from heat.
How to Make Custard Ice Cream?
Looking at the various benefits that custard ice cream offers, it’s obvious that it’s a healthy dessert option to add to your meal, although it should be taken in moderation. So, if you want to learn how you can prepare this dessert, here is the step-by-step process of how to make custard ice cream.
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 large egg yolks
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Equipment
- Medium saucepan
- Whisk
- Mixing bowls
- Ice cream maker
- Freezer-safe container
Step-by-Step Procedures on How to Make Custard Ice Cream
Below are the procedures for how to make custard ice cream:
#1. Prepare the Custard Base:
In a medium saucepan, combine the whole milk and heavy cream. Heat the mixture over medium-low heat until it is warm but not boiling. Stir occasionally to prevent scorching.
#2. Whisk Egg Yolks and Sugar:
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and granulated sugar until the mixture is pale and slightly thickened.
#3. Temper the Eggs:
Once the milk mixture is warm, gradually pour some of the warm milk into the egg yolk mixture while whisking continuously.
#4. Combine and Cook:
Pour the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining warm milk and cream. Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or spatula. Cook until the custard thickens enough to coat the back of the spoon. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes. Do not let it boil.
#5. Strain the Custard:
Once the custard has thickened, remove it from the heat and pour it through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove any lumps or cooked egg bits.
#6. Add Vanilla Extract:
Stir in the vanilla extract to the strained custard.
#7. Cool the Custard:
Allow the custard to cool to room temperature. You can speed up this process by placing the saucepan in an ice bath and stirring the custard until it cools down.
#8. Chill the Custard:
Cover the custard with plastic wrap, making sure the wrap touches the surface of the custard to prevent skin from forming. Chill the custard in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight until it’s thoroughly chilled.
#9. Churn the Ice Cream:
Once the custard is chilled, pour it into your ice cream maker and churn. This usually takes about 20-30 minutes until the ice cream reaches a soft-serve consistency.
#10. Transfer and Freeze:
Transfer the churned ice cream to a freezer-safe container. Cover it with a lid or plastic wrap and freeze for at least 4 hours or until the ice cream is firm and scoopable.
#11. Serve and Enjoy:
Scoop the custard ice cream into bowls or cones and enjoy your delicious treat!
Serving Suggestions
Typically, you can serve your custards ice cream in classic sundaes with whipped cream, chocolate syrup, nuts, and cherries. You can also create delicious ice cream sandwiches using cookies or brownies.
Similarly, you can layer your custards ice cream with fresh fruits and honey for a fruit parfait. You can also make refreshing ice cream floats with soda, and serve in waffle cones or bowls with various toppings.
Pro Tips on How to Make Custards Ice Cream for Beginners
Here are some points to consider when making custard ice cream as a beginner:
- Use quality ingredients like fresh, high-quality eggs, cream, milk, and vanilla extract for the best flavor.
- When making the custard base, temper the eggs by slowly adding hot milk or cream to them while whisking continuously. This will prevent the eggs from scrambling and ensure a smooth custard.
- Ensure to cook the custard over low to medium heat and stir constantly until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Be patient and avoid high heat to prevent curdling.
- After cooking the custard, chill it thoroughly in the refrigerator before churning. This helps develop the flavor and texture of the ice cream.
- Ensure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your ice cream maker.
- Before serving, let the ice cream soften for a few minutes at room temperature to make scooping easier and enhance its creaminess.
Frequently Asked Questions About How to Make Custards Ice Cream
To make custards ice cream, you’ll need ingredients like milk, sugar, egg yolks, vanilla extract, and heavy cream.
It’s recommended to chill custard for at least 4 hours or preferably overnight before making ice cream. This allows the custard to thoroughly cool and develop its flavors, resulting in a smoother and creamier ice cream texture.
Yes, custard can be frozen to make ice cream. Generally, custards ice cream is made by churning a custard base in an ice cream maker until it reaches a smooth and creamy consistency. After churning, the ice cream can be frozen until it reaches the desired firmness before serving.
The chilled custard should be kept in the refrigerator for a maximum of 3 days. Similarly, if stored properly in an airtight container, homemade custards ice cream can last in the freezer for about 1-2 months.
To thicken custard for ice cream, gently cook a mixture of cream, milk, sugar, and egg yolks over low heat until it coats the back of a spoon without boiling. Strain to remove any lumps, chill, churn in an ice cream maker, and freeze until firm.