Thomas Jefferson’s Vanilla Ice Cream

Total Time

Prep: 15 min. + chilling Process: 20 min./batch + freezing

Makes

2-1/4 quarts

Updated: Jun. 30, 2023
The third U.S. president is credited with jotting down the first American recipe for this treat. No vanilla bean on hand? Substitute 1 tablespoon vanilla extract for the vanilla bean. Just stir the extract into the cream mixture after the ice-water bath. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Thomas Jefferson's Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 2 quarts heavy whipping cream
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 vanilla bean
  • 6 large egg yolks

Directions

  1. In a large heavy saucepan, combine cream and sugar. Split vanilla bean in half lengthwise. With a sharp knife, scrape seeds into pan; add bean. Heat cream mixture over medium heat until bubbles form around sides of pan, stirring to dissolve sugar.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk a small amount of the hot mixture into the egg yolks; return all to the pan, whisking constantly.
  3. Cook over low heat until mixture is just thick enough to coat a metal spoon and temperature reaches 160°, stirring constantly. Do not allow to boil. Immediately transfer to a bowl.
  4. Place bowl in a pan of ice water. Stir gently and occasionally for 2 minutes; discard vanilla bean. Press waxed paper onto surface of custard. Refrigerate several hours or overnight.
  5. Fill cylinder of ice cream freezer two-thirds full; freeze according to the manufacturer’s directions. (Refrigerate remaining mixture until ready to freeze.) Transfer ice cream to a freezer container; freeze for 4-6 hours or until firm. Repeat with remaining mixture.

Nutrition Facts

1/2 cup: 424 calories, 40g fat (25g saturated fat), 182mg cholesterol, 32mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein.