Eggs Or No Eggs? Choosing Between Custard-Style & Philly Ice Cream

Wondering which ice cream base is right for you? This guide breaks down the differences between custard-style and Philly-style ice cream — eggs or no eggs — and helps you choose the best one for your flavour goals, time, and texture preferences.

If you’ve ever wondered why some ice cream recipes call for egg yolks and others skip them entirely, you’re not alone. The truth is, there’s more than one way to churn a delicious creamy scoop — and the base you choose sets the tone for everything that follows.

What are the two most traditional homemade styles?

• 🥚 Custard-Style (aka French-style) — rich, silky, egg-based
• 🥛 Philadelphia-Style (aka Philly-style) — clean, bright, egg-free

Each brings its own vibe, from prep time to final texture. And knowing when to use each one? That’s the scoop we’re serving today.

✅ In This Article:

• What’s the real difference between custard-style and Philly-style ice cream?
• Pros and cons of each method
• How to choose based on flavour, prep time & dietary needs
• A side-by-side comparison table
• When to use each base
• Links to recipes that showcase both styles

What’s the Difference Between Custard-Style and Philly-Style Ice Cream?

Let’s start with the basics. Both custard-style and Philly-style ice cream use the same core ingredients: milk, cream, sugar, and flavourings. But one thing sets them apart — eggs.

Custard-style includes egg yolks, cooked gently into a custard before churning. This gives the ice cream its rich, dense texture and incredible mouthfeel — the kind you expect from classic French vanilla or dark chocolate.

Philly-style? No eggs, no cooking. Just mix, chill, churn. It’s faster, lighter, and tends to taste more of milk or cream — especially lovely for delicate flavours like strawberry, peach, or mint.

Side-by-Side Comparison – Custard vs Philly Ice Cream

The table below highlights the key differences between each method:

Feature	Custard-Style	Philly-Style
Main Ingredients	Milk, cream, egg yolks, sugar	Milk, cream, sugar (no eggs)
Texture	Rich, dense, custardy	Lighter, cleaner, airier
Flavour Profile	Deeper, more luxurious; great for indulgent flavours	Fresher, milk-forward; ideal for fruit or herbal notes
Ease of Prep	More steps: tempering, cooking, chilling	Quick and easy: mix and chill
Best For	Vanilla bean, chocolate, caramel, coffee	Strawberry, mango, mint, lemon

💡 Did You Know?

“Philadelphia-style” ice cream became popular in 18th-century America as a quicker, eggless alternative to the French custards of the time. With no need to temper yolks, it was perfect for warm weather kitchens before refrigeration was widely available.

So… Which One Should You Choose?

There’s no shortage of debate in the ice cream world — some people swear by the custard-style egg version for its unbeatable richness and texture, while others are firmly in the Philly-style camp, favouring its lighter, fresher feel and no-fuss prep.

Each side has valid points. And truthfully? There’s no wrong choice — just different outcomes.

If you’ve never tried the egg-based custard style, you might find that once you do, you’ll never go back. But for others, the simplicity of Philly-style is a perfect fit.

At the end of the day, it comes down to what matters most for your recipe:

Is it depth and silkiness? Or speed and lightness?
Are you infusing rich chocolate or fruit-forward flavours?
Do you want that classic scoop-shop feel, or something more refreshing and airy?

Try both. Taste the difference. And then you can decide your own house favourite.

Your Priority	Best Base
Ultra-creamy texture	Custard-style
Light, fresh flavour	Philly-style
Speed & simplicity	Philly-style
Deeper flavour notes	Custard-style
Egg-free preference	Philly-style

Where to Start? Try These Recipes

📌 If you want to try Custard-Style (with eggs):

➡️ How To Make Custard-Style Ice Cream – Silky, Smooth & Fool Proof
➡️ Homemade Cadbury Creme Egg Ice Cream
➡️ Honey Mustard Ice Cream – A Unique Sweet & Savoury Scoop
➡️ Tribute to Dark Chocolate Toblerone – Make Your Own Homemade Ice Cream Version

📌 If you want to try Philly-Style (egg-free):

➡️ Homemade Peach Ice Cream & Lollipops
➡️ Homemade Malted Milk Ice Cream – Creamy, Crunchy and Delicious
➡️ Nutella’s Gone Vegan – Try Our Healthy, Easy Recipes That You’ll Love

The Final Scoop

Eggs or no eggs — that really is the question. And the answer? It depends on your scoop goals.

Custard-style delivers unmatched richness, body, and that classic texture — perfect for indulgent flavours or when you want to impress. Philly-style, on the other hand, is all about ease, speed, and clean, fresh flavour — ideal for fruit-forward or dairy-light recipes.

There’s no one-size-fits-all winner. Try both. Play with flavours. Get curious. The more you experiment, the more you’ll discover your own house favourites — and that’s where the real fun begins.

Whether you’re team custard or team Philly, we’re here to help you churn out confidence one scoop at a time.

We hope that you have enjoyed our article – Eggs or No Eggs? Choosing Between Custard-Style & Philly Ice Cream – and that we’ve helped you feel more confident in picking the perfect base for your next frozen creation.

If you have any questions, drop us a comment below — we’re always happy to help you troubleshoot, swap tips, or chat all things ice cream.

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