Is ice cream one of those things like pizza or sex, where no matter how bad it is, it’s never that bad?

We’d say no. First of all, there is such a thing as bad pizza (kind of, maybe?) and there is definitely bad sex in this world. And with ice cream, you might only notice how icy, bland, and unsatisfying a particularly lousy scoop of ice cream is when you compare it to a really lovely one. 

This recipe is good—seriously, seriously good. Dana Cree, author of Hello, My Name Is Ice Cream: The Art and Science of the Scoop, breaks down the process into ten easy (we promise!) steps. And once you’ve made a batch, get ready for the best sundae of your life—or just eat the stuff straight. 

RECIPE: Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

After all, “vanilla” should always be a compliment, not an expression of boredom.