Sometimes a happy accident leads to a keeper of a recipe.

That’s what happened as my husband and I experimented with making a vanilla ice cream that hit just the right notes for luscious scoop-ability, balanced sweetness and creamy vanilla flavour.

Over a few weeks, we made about a dozen variations before we settled on this one, taking turns manning the pot, whisking the sugar into the eggs and running the ice cream maker.

Once we had batches we liked, we roped in dinner guests to be our testers. I brought batches into work and had colleagues taste test, too, until we were happy with this simple ice cream.

The happy accident? Leftover goat milk. Thank you to Deborah Reid and her Goat Milk Pudding and Poached Quince With Rose Water for that. We make ice cream often, so I suggested that we sub in the leftover goat milk for the whole milk one evening after testing Reid’s dessert at home.

Homemade ice creams can be a bit less scoop-able than commercial brands, but this one is exactly right – without using corn syrup (not that there’s anything wrong with that). It’s a great way to get that sweet, curvy curl. The recipe calls for three cups of heavy cream and two cups of goat milk. Of course, you may substitute whole milk for the goat milk, but the ice cream will freeze stiffer and taste a bit sweeter. Goat milk has just the right bit of tang.

Once we were settled on the goat milk as an addition, we continued mixing and tasting. The recipe calls for 10 large egg yolks, so be ready to either freeze those egg whites or make a couple of egg white omelets or a few batches of meringues. We tried it with eight and it was fine, but 10 was so much richer.

We also experimented with the sugar, trying to bring it down as much as we could, and ended up with one cup, half whisked into the egg yolks and half stirred into the dairy. As with most vanilla ice creams, this one can be a jumping off point. Add chocolate chips, nuts or your favorite fruit.

If I’m using fruit, I like to use pieces that are heading toward that too-ripe phase. Scoop it onto a cone or a dish and sprinkle it with toasted coconut, or add chocolate syrup or shell on top.

Active time: 20 minutes; Total time: 45 minutes, plus chilling and freezing time.

14 servings; makes one and three quarters quarts.

Use a split vanilla bean rather than extract for a richer flavour. When you’re finished with the vanilla bean, rinse it, pat it dry and add it to a sugar canister to make vanilla sugar.

You’ll need an ice cream maker with a two-quart capacity. If yours is smaller, halve the recipe or plan to churn it in batches.

Make Ahead: The ice cream base needs to chill for at least six hours and up to overnight in the refrigerator. The churned ice cream needs to harden in the freezer for at least six hours.

Storage Notes: Freeze in an airtight container, with a sheet of wax paper pressed to the top, for up to 2 weeks.

INGREDIENTS – 10 large egg yolks – One cup (200 grammes) granulated sugar, divided – Three cups (720 millilitres) heavy cream – Two cups (480 millilitres) goat milk (may substitute with whole milk) – Two vanilla beans, split lengthwise, or two teaspoons vanilla extract – Three quarters teaspoon fine salt

In a medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks and half cup (100 grammes) of the sugar until well combined.

In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the cream, milk, the remaining half cup (100 grammes) of the sugar, vanilla and salt and, stirring frequently to prevent scorching on the bottom, bring the mixture to a simmer, about five minutes. Remove from the heat With a ladle in one hand and a whisk in another, drizzle a small amount of the heated liquid into the egg mixture while whisking.

Continue until about a third of the hot liquid has been blended with the eggs and the mixture feels warm to the touch.

Slowly pour the egg mixture back into the pot, continuing to whisk until the custard is smooth and well combined.

Return the saucepan to medium heat and let the custard come to a simmer, with small bubbles around the edges; it should be thick enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon, or register about 170 degrees on an instant-read thermometer.

Remove from the heat and remove the vanilla bean, if using.

Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a large container with a tightfitting lid, stirring and pressing the custard through with a silicone spatula or wooden spoon. Cover and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, at least six hours and preferably overnight.

Assemble your ice cream machine according to the manufacturer’s directions and turn it on.

Pour in the chilled custard and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

The custard should be the consistency of soft-serve ice cream. Place the now-empty storage container in the freezer to chill while ice cream freezes. Pack the ice cream into the chilled storage container. Press a piece of wax paper directly against the surface and cover with the lid. Freeze in the coldest part of your freezer until firm, at least six hours and preferably overnight.

Active time: 15 minutes; Total time: 30 minutes, plus cooling time

Eight servings (makes about two cups)

This strawberry sauce gets you that much closer to the ice cream sundae of your dreams, and the best part: using frozen strawberries means you can whip this up year round.

Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to five days.

INGREDIENTS – One pound (454 grammes) frozen strawberries – Quarter cup (50 grammes) granulated sugar – Quarter cup (60 millilitres) water – Two tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about half a lemon) – One and a half teaspoons cornstarch – Half teaspoon vanilla extract – One eighth 1/8 teaspoon almond extract

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the strawberries, sugar and water.

Partially cover and cook just until the berries have defrosted, then uncover and cook until the fruit has softened and the liquid is gently simmering, 10 to 15 minutes. Adjust the heat as needed to maintain a gentle simmer.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice and cornstarch until smooth.

Once the strawberries have softened, add the cornstarch slurry to the strawberries. Return to a simmer, then remove from the heat and let cool for about 15 minutes.

Using a fork, mash the cooked berries against the side of the pot until you get a slightly chunky sauce.

Stir in the vanilla and almond extracts, taste, and add more sugar, if desired. Let cool completely, then refrigerate until needed.