From the kitchen of Mary StearnMary brought her homemade vanilla bean ice cream and caramel sauce to our Ice Cream Social a few years ago and it was a big hit.
Ingredients
Ice Cream
2cupsheavy cream
2cupshalf & half
3/4cupsugar
vanilla bean
pinch of salt
Caramel Sauce
1cupsugar
1/4cupwater
3-1/2tbspunsalted butter
3/4cupheavy cream
1tspsea salt or kosher
Instructions
Ice Cream
Put half & half and sugar in a pot.
Cut vanilla bean down the center, scrape bean into mixture then throw in the pod.
Warm until sugar dissolves. Check by running your finger on the spoon, no granules then it's ready to go. DO NOT BOIL.
Take off heat and stir in pinch of salt and cream.
Let cool completely before putting in ice cream maker. I let mine sit overnight in fridge with the bean pod. Make sure you take the bean pod out before churning.
Caramel Sauce
Pour cup of sugar in center of saucepan.
Slowly pour ΒΌ cup of water in the center (over the top).
Heat on medium low until sugar melts or starts to boil. Do not stir.
Turn heat to medium. Boil until color shows deep amber (about 5 minutes).
Remove from heat and add butter and salt.
Slowly pour in cream while whisking. Mixture will bubble up so be careful. Transfer to dish and let cool.
Notes
Caramel sauce will keep in the refrigerator for about 2 weeks.