The best vanilla ice cream is simple to make.

Ingredients

1 cup + 3 tbsp sugar
1 vanilla pod
1 tablespood of vanilla extract (a little less if you want less vanilla taste)
3 tbsp water
3 cups milk (whole or skim work, of course whole is better)
1 cup whipping cream

Freeze the 2 quart bowl for 24 hours prior to the next steps.

Mix all of the ingredients in a saucepan and warm to melt the sugar.  Remove heat.   Take the softened vanilla bean out of the liquid and split in half with a knife and put the beans (black grit) back into the mix.

Allow to cool.

Place into the ice-cream maker and blend until firm (about 25-30 minutes).

Place the ice cream into a different container andplace in the freezer for a few hours before eating.

The Cuisinart mixer costs about $80.   A half-gallon costs less the $2 compared to $4-5 for Breyers.    This ice cream is better than Breyers.    Recipe courtesy of Kathy L Hunt of KitchenKat.com.