Ice Cream Base

This is a super easy, quick, and almost no-fail ice cream recipe to make. The base consists of only four ingredients, and you can have ice cream, from start to finish, in under 3 hours. The plain ice cream is tasty on its own, but the possibilities for flavorings are endless!

Ice Cream Base
2 cups milk
4 cups whipping cream (35%), divided
1 1/2 cups granulated (white) sugar, divided
12 large egg yolks

Place the milk, 2 cups cream, and 3/4 cup sugar in a pot and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and allow to cool until just hot.
Beat the yolks and remaining 3/4 cup sugar in a large bowl until pale yellow in color.
Slowly temper in the hot milk mixture. Whisk in the remaining 2 cups of cold cream.
Chill mixture until cold, then process in an ice cream machine as directed by manufacturer. 

Steeping: For steeping flavors into the ice cream, add ingredients immediately after removing from heat, cover, and let sit for 30-60 minutes to steep.
Flavoring: Add ingredients along with second amount of cream.
Stir-ins: Fold into ice cream immediately after churning.

FLAVORING IDEAS

Steep: fresh gingerroot, fresh mint, coffee, tea, sesame seeds
Flavoring: vanilla beans, melted chocolate, cocoa powder, extracts, citrus zest, caramel, fruit purees, spices
Stir-Ins: bread crumbs, chocolate pieces, nuts, fruit pieces