1-Let’s dive into the fun part making your own salted caramel ice cream from scratch. Start by mixing all the vanilla ice cream base ingredients in a bowl: 1 1/2 cups whole milk, 1 1/2 cups half and half, 2 cups whipping cream, 1 1/2 cups sugar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1 1/2 tablespoons vanilla. This sets the creamy foundation that makes the treat so irresistible.

2-Next, pour that mixture into your ice cream maker and let it churn based on the device’s instructions, which usually takes about 20-30 minutes. While that’s happening, prepare the salted caramel sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine 1 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup light corn syrup, and 1/3 cup whipping cream, cooking for 5-6 minutes until it hits 230 degrees Fahrenheit on a candy thermometer.

3-Once the sauce is ready, take it off the heat and stir in 3 tablespoons butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 1/2 to 1 teaspoon coarse French salt to taste. Let it cool until it’s easy to pour, then layer it into your churned ice cream in a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan for that swirled effect. Finally, cover and freeze everything overnight for the best hard, scoopable texture. You can adapt this for dietary needs, like using plant-based milk for vegan versions, right from the start.