Do you want a great ice cream recipe? Vanilla ice cream is simple to make! Homemade ice cream is a great treat whether you're eating it on it's own, or using it to accent homemade apple pie. Read on to learn how to make vanilla ice cream.

The richest homemade ice cream recipes are based on a custard, including milk or cream, sugar and eggs. If you make an ice cream with a custard base, it needs to be cooked and then thoroughly chilled before you make the ice cream.

(Photo by Sandy Smith)

• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 2 egg yolks, beaten
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 1 cup heavy cream

1. Warm the milk over low heat.
2. Stir in the sugar and salt, cooking until dissolved.
3. Bring water to boil in the bottom of a double boiler.
4. Off the heat, place the eggs in the top of the double boiler.
5. Whisk the warm milk into the eggs.
6. Place the top of the double boiler over the boiling water, and cook until thickened, whisking constantly.
7. Chill several hours or overnight.
8. Add 1 tablespoon vanilla, and mix well.
9. whip the cream and fold it into the custard.

Each ice cream maker has it's own instructions, but there are a few general tips that can help you get a great result:

1. Make sure the custard is well chilled before beginning.
2. If your ice cream maker requires salt, make sure to use rock salt specifically labeled for ice cream makers.
3. If you have a choice, use less salt, and freeze the ice cream slowly. Slowly frozen ice cream has a smoother texture.
4. Ice cream will expand as it freezes, so don't fill your ice cream maker more than 3/4 full.
5. When done, pack the ice cream into a container, and allow it to cure for several hours in the freezer before serving.