Ice Cream vs. Frozen Custard: What's the Difference? (2024)

FAQs

Ice Cream vs. Frozen Custard: What's the Difference? ›

The main difference between frozen custard and ice cream is that frozen custard is made with egg yolks and ice cream is not, giving the former a richer flavor and mouthfeel. Some ice creams are made with egg yolks, however, which would technically make them custards based on the USDA guidelines.

Deciding what to serve with your pudding? Brands vary, but vanilla ice-cream typically has about 10 per cent more calories than custard, as well as twice the saturated fat, less protein and half the calcium and potassium. However, ice-cream usually has less sugar and salt, too.

The difference between ice cream and frozen custard comes down to one ingredient: egg yolks. Ice cream is made with milk, cream, and sweetener. Frozen custard contains the same ingredients, plus egg yolks. This extra ingredient means frozen custard usually has a richer, thicker, and creamier texture than ice cream.

In most of the U.S., “custard” and “ice cream” are often used interchangeably, but depending on where you live and who you ask, they can mean markedly different kinds of scoops. The main distinction is eggs: ice cream may have them, but custard always does.

In fact, the distinction is even written into law. Custard is made from a combination of milk, cream and pasteurized egg yolks, and in order to be true custard, it has to be at least 1.4 percent egg. Anything less than that, and it's just ice cream. Discover why we craft in small batches.

While there are some extra things to consider, ice cream can be included in a healthy meal pattern even if you have diabetes. It's best to eat ice cream in moderation and to choose an option with lower saturated fat, lower carbs and no or low added sugar.

Frozen custard is produced in a machine that incorporates as little air as possible, so it has a denser, thicker, more velvety texture than ice cream.

Tillamook® French Vanilla Ice Cream is one of a kind. Our French vanilla is a custard, made with extra eggs for an even richer and creamier mouthfeel. A classic flavor perfected by our experts for pure indulgence whether guests enjoy in a float, dish or waffle cone.

Vanilla Frozen Custard [Milk, Cream, Skim Milk, Sugar, Corn Syrup, Egg Yolk, Guar Gum, Mono & Diglycerides, Locust Bean Gum, Carrageenan, Natural and Artificial Vanilla Flavor], Pecan Pieces [Vegetable Oil (Peanut, Cottonseed, Soybean and/or Sunflower Seed), Sea Salt], Salted Caramel [Corn Syrup, Sweetened Condensed ...

The major difference between the two is that custard must also contain 1.4% pasteurized egg yolk (per the Food and Drug Administration). The addition of eggs gives it a smooth and creamy texture. (Side note: Some ice cream recipes also contain eggs, however it is not required and they would be LESS THAN 1.4% egg yolk.)

Are the eggs cooked in frozen custard? ›

Is the egg raw? No, all ingredients are pasteurized/cooked. Are there other reasons for frozen custards creaminess? Yes.

Eggs add rich flavor and color, prevent ice crystallization and help create smooth and creamy ice cream. But adding raw or undercooked eggs can cause a Salmonella infection and it's usually the ingredient responsible for a foodborne illness outbreak associated with homemade ice cream.

Gelato (Italian: [dʒeˈlaːto]; lit. 'frozen') is the common word in Italian for all types of ice cream.

Frozen custard is higher in fat and calories than ice cream. This is because of the egg yolks and heavy cream used in its recipe. Frozen custard is also typically denser than ice cream, which means it is more calorie-dense. Ice cream is typically lower in fat and calories than frozen custard.

Culver's custard is made fresh each day in small batches

The restaurant's frozen custard is made in small batches and slow-churned to perfection, multiple times a day. No matter what flavor or custard treat you order, you know you are getting a product that has been made that very day.

Gelato has a lower milk fat content than ice cream, usually 4 to 9%, yielding a softer, denser texture and smaller ice crystals. That's a result of the base, which typically includes less cream and more milk, as well as a slower churning process that introduces less air into the final product.

Custard is generally made of cream, egg yolks, and sugar while cream is just cream, possibly mixed with some sugar. The egg yolks in custard contain cholesterol and the cream has high amounts of saturated fat, which isn't the best combination. Unless the custard is made with gelatin, I think cream would be "healthier."

"Flaky crusts, streusel topping, custard filling, cheese-filled pastries -- these all promise a hefty dose of saturated fat, because they often include butter, shortening, cream, cream cheese, and/or whole milk," Moore says.

Ice cream contains less than 1.4 percent egg yolk and has a thick consistency. Custard always contains some mix of egg yolk, milk and cream. It may be super viscous or thick, or it may be runny. It contains a large amount of sugar as well, which makes many custards quite sweet.

Real ice cream is mostly healthy as it is made of real milk and contains real nutrients. It is a complete food in itself. On the other hand, frozen desserts contain palm oil or hydrogenated fats as the main ingredient,” he added.