Vanilla vs French Vanilla: The Ultimate Guide to Vanilla Ice Cream (2024)

When it comes to ice cream, vanilla is a classic flavor that is beloved by many. It’s the most popular flavor in the world, but did you know there are different vanilla ice cream types? Two of the most popular varieties are vanilla and French vanilla. In this guide, we will look at vanilla vs. French vanilla ice cream and all the other versions of vanilla ice cream in between to help you decide which one is right for you.

Get ready to indulge in the sweet and creamy world of vanilla ice cream! In this blog, we’ll be diving into the delectable variations of vanilla ice cream, tantalizing your taste buds with recipes for each type, and answering all your burning questions about this beloved frozen treat:

• What is vanilla ice cream?
• What is vanilla bean ice cream?
• What is French vanilla ice cream?
• What is the difference between each type of vanilla ice cream?
• Which type of vanilla ice cream should I make?

What is Vanilla Ice Cream?

Vanilla ice cream is a classic flavor commonly made with vanilla extract, cream, milk, and sugar. It has a simple, sweet taste and creamy texture. Vanilla ice cream is perfect on its own and can also be used as a base for other flavors, such as chocolate chips, cherries, mint, or strawberry.

What is Vanilla Bean Ice Cream?

Like classic vanilla ice cream, vanilla bean ice cream is made with cream, milk, and sugar. The difference between vanilla and vanilla bean ice cream is that vanilla bean is flavored with the seeds of a vanilla bean. The beans are typically steeped in the cream and sugar mixture to infuse the ice cream with their distinct flavor and aroma. The result is an ice cream with a subtle yet complex flavor profile. Vanilla bean ice cream will also have a speckled appearance due to the vanilla bean seeds.

What is French Vanilla Ice Cream?

French vanilla is a richer version of vanilla ice cream made with egg yolks. The added egg yolk gives French vanilla ice cream a more complex flavor and creamier texture. You might also hear this variety of ice cream called ‘Old Fashioned’ vanilla. Some French vanilla ice cream will be made using vanilla extract, and others will use scrapped vanilla bean seeds, providing speckles and a more robust flavor.

Vanilla Vs. French Vanilla Vs. Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: What is the difference?

The main difference between vanilla and French vanilla ice cream is the addition of egg yolks in French vanilla ice cream. This gives French vanilla ice cream a richer, creamier texture and more complex vanilla flavor. Vanilla ice cream, on the other hand, has a simpler flavor and a lighter texture.

Another difference between vanilla vs. French vanilla ice cream is the flavor. Vanilla ice cream is made with vanilla extract, while vanilla bean ice cream uses vanilla beans to flavor it. French vanilla can be made with either vanilla extract or vanilla beans, but a double-strength vanilla extract will achieve a strong, rich, complex flavor without scraping vanilla beans.

What Vanilla Ice Cream Should I Choose?

When it comes to vanilla vs. French vanilla vs. vanilla bean ice cream, the choice ultimately comes down to preference. A double-strength vanilla extract can provide a similar flavor profile in each variety. If you want vanilla specks in your ice cream, then vanilla bean or French vanilla is the way to go. If you’re big on the texture of your ice cream, then you will want to go the French vanilla route since the egg yolk provides a creamier texture.

It’s also worth noting that French vanilla ice cream is often more expensive than regular vanilla ice cream because of the additional ingredients and the more complicated production process. So if price is a factor for you, then keep that in mind when deciding which ice cream to make.

Vanilla, Vanilla Bean & French Vanilla Recipes That You’ll Love

Go ahead! Click through these vanilla ice cream recipes, find the one that’s best for you, then get to churning, and enjoy!