So to experiment with the almond milk flavor a little bit more I bought a few different kinds of vanilla extract. It actually makes a huge difference. So… (yes I’m weird) I looked up recipes for vanilla extract online. I’m currently 5 weeks into the 8 week process.. I am making madagascar vanilla, tahitian vanilla and Ugandan vanilla extracts. I’ll let you know in a few weeks if they are good:)
Stupid easy way to make vanilla extract:
-Choose your vanilla bean type. I bought mine from the online retailer Beanilla. They have a huge selection of beans and the prices compared with the grocery stores in my area are amazing.
-split 5 beans lengthwise
I love extracts… so I am want to try making my own almond, peppermint and orange too…why not!
I did this with Tahitian Vanilla awhile back and really liked it; and made Tahitian Vanilla icecream. Yum!
Did you do it the same way? How was it? Yuuummmm post your ice cream recipe!!
Yes, it was the same way more or less.
Here is the recipe for the ice cream. I actually have 2 recipes, but this one uses extract as well as the bean while the 2nd only uses the bean. It's fantastic with Tahitian or Mexican Vanilla. The Mexican has a much stronger flavor while the Tahitian is more floral in smell and flavor.
Makes about 1 quart (11) I sometimes makes this a gallon at a time as well.
For a richer custard, you can add up to 3 more egg yolks. For a less-rich custard, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream, realizing that the final texture won’t be as rich or as smooth as if using cream.
1 cup whole milk
A pinch of salt
3/4 cup sugar
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
2 cups heavy cream
5 large egg yolks
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1. Heat the milk, salt, and sugar in a saucepan. Scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean into the milk with a paring knife, then add the bean pod to the milk. Cover, remove from heat, and infuse for one hour.
2. To make the ice cream, set up an ice bath by placing a 2-quart (2l) bowl in a larger bowl partially filled with ice and water. Set a strainer over the top of the smaller bowl and pour the cream into the bowl.
3. In a separate bowl, stir together the egg yolks. Rewarm the milk then gradually pour some of the milk into the yolks, whisking constantly as you pour. Scrape the warmed yolks and milk back into the saucepan.
4. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly and scraping the bottom with a heat-resistant spatula, until the custard thickens enough to coat the spatula.
5. Strain the custard into the heavy cream. Stir over the ice until cool, add the vanilla extract, then refrigerate to chill thoroughly. Preferably overnight.
6. Remove the vanilla bean and freeze the custard in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Note: Used vanilla beans can be rinsed and dried, then stored in a bin of sugar. That sugar can be used for baking and, of course, for future ice cream making.
ENJOY! 🙂
You are AMAZING! You've taken homemade to a whole new level! Please don't tell me you made those extract bottles out of hand blown glass, ha! –Connie
Mmmmm, I'll have to try making that ice cream. Y'all are giving me too many things to try in the kitchen, haha. With winter coming up I'll have more time to do these things.
Molly
Yum! Lol I'm with the person who asked if you made the glass bottles. Is there anything you can't do? Super mom extraordinaire! I want to come over. I envision you greeting me at the door with an almond milk smoothie made from ingredients grown on the farm you want to have. Lunch would be more of the same…bread you baked yourself, eggs from free range chickens from your land… A girl can dream right?
We miss you! Come back to blogging!
did you get a new blog? We miss you!!
Haylie,
Did you make this ice cream from Cici? Sounds so yummy. How did the Vanilla turn out?
Can't wait for details 🙂
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and almost Happy Birthday to you and Jonny 🙂
-Mary Kay – Minnesota!
Where did you go? Come back!
Haylie,
Missing hearing from you lately. You are not busy with 3 kids, milking almonds and making extract, are you? LOL…. Hope to hear an update from you about the Extracts and what you are now making for the Holidays and so forth! Miss your stories and humor!
Mary Kay 🙂
Haylie….been missing you…hope all is well!!!!
Laurie Knight