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10
Tips to making custard based
ice-cream
A traditional creamy ice-cream is made from
a custard base. Here are some steps to help
you achieve perfect custard every time.
• Make sure the eggs are fresh and are at
room temperature.
• Have your ingredients measured out and
ready so that you are not leaving anything
waiting.
• Using a wire whisk or electric hand mixer,
beat the egg yolks and sugar in a large
deep bowl for about 3-4 minutes or until
light and creamy. The colour will go quite
light.
• Place the milk/cream required for the
recipe in a saucepan.
• Heat the milk mixture on a low/medium
heat until the mixture looks like it is
almost about to boil. A good guide is when
little bubbles start to appear around the
edges of the milk. Be careful not to boil.
Should you boil the milk you will need to
start again.
• Using a wire whisk, whisk the hot milk
mixture gradually into the egg mixture
making sure that the two are well
combined.
• Return the mixture into a clean saucepan
and cook over a low heat, stirring
constantly with a wooden spoon. The
custard mixture is ready when it thickens
and coats the back of a spoon. To test this
place the wooden spoon into the custard
mixture then turn the spoon over. Run your
finger once down the back of the spoon. If
the custard is thick enough it will keep the
finger mark, if it is still runny the mixture
will either not grab onto the back of the
spoon and look very thin or the finger mark
will not stay.
• If the mixture separates or curdles then
heat is too high.
• Do not leave the custard unattended while
cooking.
• The custard will take anywhere from 5-15
minutes to thicken depending on the type/
size of saucepan used. It is best to use a
low heat as different stove types will vary
greatly in heat.
• Once the custard has thickened, transfer
the mixture into a heat proof bowl. Allow
the mixture to cool before placing into
the refrigerator, cover and chill for several
hours before use.