Best Alton Browns Ice Cream Recipes

ALTON BROWN'S ICE CREAM

Steps:

• In a medium sauce pan combine the half and half and heavy cream, stir over medium heat until just boiling.
• Blend the egg yokes and SLOWLY add the sugar until all mixed.
• Temper in the heated milk mixture.
• Return to saucepan and over low heat bring mixture to 170 degrees.
• Move to chilled metal bowl.
• After slight cooling, add vanilla extract.
• Chill until mixture reaches 40 degrees (usually overnight).
• Add mixture to machine and add any additional flavorings.
• Enjoy.

SERIOUS VANILLA ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients (including the bean and its pulp) in a large saucepan and place over medium heat. Attach a frying or candy thermometer to inside of pan. (see note below) Stirring occasionally, bring the mixture to 170 degrees F. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Remove the hull of the vanilla bean, pour mixture into lidded container and refrigerate mixture overnight to mellow flavors and texture.
• Freeze mixture in ice cream freezer according to unit's instructions. The mixture will not freeze hard in the machine. Once the volume has increased by 1/2 to 3/4 times, and reached a soft serve consistency, spoon the mixture back into a lidded container and harden in the freezer at least 1 hour before serving.
• NOTE: If you do not have a thermometer, bring the mixture just barely to a simmer. As soon as you see a bubble hit the surface, remove it from the heat. Do not let it boil.

SIMPLE VANILLA BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Steps:

• Place the butter and shortening into the bowl of a stand mixer and, using the paddle attachment, cream the butter on high until light and fluffy, approximately 3 to 4 minutes. Add the egg and beat until well combined, approximately 1 minute. Turn off the mixer and add 1/2 cup of the sugar. Mix on low until combined. Stop to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Repeat until all of the sugar has been incorporated. Add the vanilla and continue to beat until the frosting is smooth and light, approximately 2 to 3 minutes. Use immediately or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 hours or refrigerate for up to a week. Bring to room temperature before using.

RHUBARB CRUMBLE ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Place rhubarb, 2/3 cup sugar and water in a small saucepan; bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat; simmer, until rhubarb is softened and mixture is thickened, 8-10 minutes. Cool completely., In a small skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add oats, brown sugar and cinnamon; cook and stir until oats are coated, 45-60 seconds. Remove to a bowl; cool completely., In a bowl, whisk together both creams, vanilla and remaining sugar until sugar is completely dissolved. Fill cylinder of an ice cream maker no more than two-thirds full. Freeze according to manufacturer's directions. During the last 5 minutes of processing, add oat mixture, breaking up any large crumbles before adding., Transfer half of the ice cream to a 1-quart freezer container; drizzle with half of the rhubarb mixture. Using a knife, cut through mixtures in a zigzag pattern to swirl. Repeat with remaining ice cream and rhubarb. Freeze, covered, until firm, about 4 hours.

VANILLA ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Place the half-and-half and the heavy cream into a medium saucepan, over medium heat. Bring the mixture just to a simmer, stirring occasionally, and remove from the heat.
• In a medium mixing bowl whisk the egg yolks until they lighten in color. Gradually add the sugar and whisk to combine. Temper the cream mixture into the eggs and sugar by gradually adding small amounts, until about a third of the cream mixture has been added. Pour in the remainder and return the entire mixture to the saucepan and place over low heat. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon and reaches 170 to 175 degrees F. Pour the mixture into a container and allow to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Stir in the vanilla extract. Place the mixture into the refrigerator and once it is cool enough not to form condensation on the lid, cover and store for 4 to 8 hours or until the temperature reaches 40 degrees F or below.
• Pour into an ice cream maker and process according to the manufacturer's directions. This should take approximately 25 to 35 minutes. Serve as is for soft serve or freeze for another 3 to 4 hours to allow the ice cream to harden.

BOURBON ICE CREAM

Steps:

• In a large heavy saucepan, combine cream, milk, sugar and salt. Heat over medium heat until bubbles form around sides of pan, stirring to dissolve sugar. , In a small bowl, whisk a small amount of the hot mixture into the egg yolks; return all to the pan, whisking constantly. Cook over low heat until mixture is just thick enough to coat a metal spoon and temperature reaches 180°, stirring constantly. Do not allow to boil. Immediately transfer to a bowl. , Place bowl in a pan of ice water. Stir gently and occasionally for 2 minutes. Stir in bourbon and vanilla. Press waxed paper onto surface of mixture. Refrigerate several hours or overnight., Fill cylinder of ice cream maker 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 until firm, 4-6 hours. Repeat with remaining mixture.