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While temperatures have been up and down lately, it hasn't stopped the sun from making an apperance meaning that we are closer to warmer days than ever. And with the warmer conditions en route, what better way to get in the mood than treating yourself to a nice and creamy dessert after a nice home-cooked meal?

No matter the weather, a nice bowl of ice cream always feels like a good idea, but what better than one that is homemade? This simple recipe, which promises a "beautifully smooth and creamy result", is worth noting down, as those who have tested it were not disappointed at all.

The recipe shared on BBC Good Food, has a five out of five star rating with people branding it as "perfect" and "ultra delicious". One person wrote: "Wow, the best recipe for vanilla ice cream."

Another said: "This recipe is my number one ice-cream recipe. It is always a perfect outcome, can't recommend enough."

While the recipe does involve the use of an ice cream maker, it also provides instructions on how to make it by hand, meaning everyone has the chance to try it out.

• 284mml carton double cream
• 300ml full fat milk
• 115g golden caster sugar
• 1 vanilla pod
• 3 large free-range egg yolks

Step 1

Put the canister from the machine into the freezer a day before you want to make the ice cream. Next day, pour the cream and milk into a medium heavy-based pan, then tip in half the sugar. Slit the vanilla pod down its length with a small sharp knife and scoop out as many of the tiny black seeds as you can into the cream mixture. Cut the pod into three and drop it into the pan.

Step 2

Heat the cream and milk over a low heat, stirring occasionally, until it almost boils - you'll see a few bubbles at the edge. Take off the heat and set aside for 30 minutes so the vanilla can infuse.

Step 3

Put the egg yolks into a bowl with the rest of the sugar and beat with an electric hand beater for about 2 minutes until the mixture has thickened, is paler in colour and falls in thick ribbons when you lift the beaters. Using a measuring jug, scoop out about 125ml/4fl oz of the cream mixture and beat into the egg yolks to slacken them. Reheat the cream until it just comes to the boil, take off the heat and stir in the egg yolk mixture.

Step 4

Return the pan to a low heat and cook, stirring all the time with a wooden spoon, for 8-10 minutes, until the custard is thick enough to coat the back of the spoon. Watch that it doesn't boil - as soon as you see any bubbles about to burst to the surface, it should be thick enough, so take the pan off the heat so the mixture doesn't curdle.

Step 5

Pour the custard into a heatproof bowl, then sit it in a bigger bowl one-third full of iced water to cool (this takes about 20 minutes). Stir occasionally to stop a skin forming. Put the bowl of custard in the fridge for 3-4 hours, preferably overnight, so it gets really cold.

Step 6

Get the ice cream machine running, scoop out the vanilla pod pieces, then slowly pour in the cold custard. Leave it to churn for 10-30 minutes (depending on your machine). When it stops, it is probably too soft to eat, so spoon into a plastic container, cover with cling film, then a lid, and freeze for a minimum of 3 hours. (It will keep in the freezer for 3 months but don't take it out, then refreeze.) Remove from the freezer 15 minutes before serving.

Step 7

To make it by hand: in step 1, heat the milk, vanilla, and half the sugar without the cream (the custard will be slightly thicker). At the start of step 6, whip the cream so it's light and floppy, not too stiff, and fold it into the cold custard. Freeze for 3-4 hours, stirring once an hour until almost frozen, then freeze as above.