There is nothing quite like a scoop of creamy, homemade vanilla bean ice cream. It’s a classic dessert that never goes out of style, and making it at home is easier than you might think. With just a few simple ingredients and a bit of patience, you can whip up a batch of this delicious frozen treat to enjoy all summer long.

To start, you’ll need some heavy cream, whole milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and a vanilla bean. Using both vanilla extract and a vanilla bean gives the ice cream a rich, complex flavor that store-bought versions just can’t match. If you’ve never used a vanilla bean before, don’t be intimidated – they are readily available at most grocery stores and are a fantastic way to add a burst of natural vanilla flavor to all sorts of recipes.

To make the ice cream base, begin by combining the heavy cream, milk, and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir the mixture frequently until the sugar has fully dissolved, being careful not to let it boil. Once the sugar has dissolved, remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.

Next, it’s time to prep the vanilla bean. Using a sharp knife, split the bean lengthwise and scrape out the tiny black seeds inside. Add both the seeds and the empty pod to the cream mixture, then cover the saucepan and let it sit for about 30 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse.

After the mixture has cooled and the flavors have melded together, it’s time to strain out the vanilla bean pod and any remaining bits of seeds. Once strained, pour the ice cream base into an ice cream maker and churn it according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This usually takes about 20-25 minutes, and you’ll know it’s ready when the mixture has thickened to a soft, creamy consistency.

At this point, you can enjoy the ice cream as a soft serve, or transfer it to a freezer-safe container and let it firm up in the freezer for a few hours for a more traditional scoopable texture. The finished ice cream will be rich, silky, and bursting with the warm, aromatic flavor of real vanilla.

Of course, you can always customize your vanilla bean ice cream with mix-ins like chocolate chips, nuts, or fruit, but sometimes simplicity is best. A plain, perfectly executed scoop of vanilla bean ice cream is a thing of beauty in itself.

So, for a dessert that’s sure to please both kids and adults alike, consider making a batch of simple vanilla bean ice cream at home. It’s a delightful way to enjoy the sweet tastes of summer, and the possibilities for topping and serving options are endless. With its smooth, velvety texture and deep, fragrant vanilla flavor, you’ll be delighted by the results of a little time and effort in your own kitchen.