Ice cream is almost as famous as chocolate as far as sweet treats go. The classic dessert is great to serve all year round and for any occasion. For many, ice cream holds a nostalgic factor, bringing back childhood memories, but it also has the perfect balance of elements that make it a deliciously creamy frozen treat.
Ice cream making is a science and an art since you need a perfect balance of ingredients to transform liquid into solid. However, it’s not that difficult to make it at home.
How about vegan ice cream? Even though it has become readily available in stores, the taste and texture of this beloved dessert may not always meet your expectations. If you have wondered how to make vegan ice cream, let’s discover how.
Creamy Vegan Ice Cream Recipes
Making vegan ice cream does not need to mean serving only chocolate or vanilla flavors. Once you have mastered the art, you will want to experiment with more sophisticated flavors.
Follow this Vegan Ice Cream recipe from Loving It Vegan to master making the creamiest vegan ice cream even without owning an ice cream machine. The secret of this recipe is combining homemade cashew milk with whole-fat canned coconut milk. Add coconut oil, cacao butter, granulated sugar, salt, and vanilla extract before churning.
Other vegan ice cream recipes that you can find on the same website include Vegan Cashew Ice Cream, Vegan Coffee Ice Cream, and Vegan Banana Ice Cream. Also, see the recipes for Vegan Cookies and Cream, Peanut Butter Banana, and other exciting vegan ice cream flavors. You don’t need an ice cream maker if you can incorporate enough air into the mixture in the different stages.
Quick and Easy Vegan Ice Cream
Are you looking for a quick and easy vegan ice cream recipe? Love and Lemons have this recipe for the Best Vegan Ice Crea, which requires three ingredients and a Kitchen Aid with an ice cream maker attachment. In your quest for how to make vegan ice cream, you could never have imagined that a combination of coconut milk, tahini, and maple syrup could result in toasty and delicious ice cream that’s also extra creamy.
The secret to this quick and easy ice cream recipe is with planning. Freeze the ice cream maker base from the night before to ensure you have it churned in 20 minutes. Another secret is to first whizz all the ingredients in a blender (or using a food processor) and then start the churning to create a smooth puree that makes churning easier.
Most surprising, the tahini does not have an overpowering flavor and provides the ice cream with a delicious creaminess.
Homemade Vegan Ice Cream without an Ice Cream Maker
Not everyone owns an ice cream maker. Luckily, here’s a recipe for homemade vegan ice cream without churning. Also, it’s a chocolate-flavored ice cream guaranteed to become a hit. Minimalist Baker makes learning how to make vegan ice cream a dream with this delicious No Churn Vegan Chocolate Ice Cream recipe.
To make this no-churn vegan ice cream, you only need five ingredients and a food processor. Start by chilling your mixing bowl for about ten minutes. Process the pitted dates until smooth; they are used for their sweetness and resistance to freezing. This creates a mousse-like base that freezes to the perfect degree of creamy smoothness.
Then, place the ingredients in the chilled mixing bowl and fully incorporate them with a mixer. Freeze overnight for firmer ice cream. However, you can also serve it after a few hours if you want it more mousse-like.
Prep time takes about thirty minutes, and then, of course, you need quite a bit of patience before it’s frozen enough to eat.
Best Vegan Ice Cream Recipes
Discovering how to make vegan ice cream is easier than you imagined. However, there are a few tips you must remember. Homemade vegan ice cream can’t last as long as those bought in stores because they start to form crystals sooner. Even though it’s improbable that it won’t get consumed sooner, bear in mind that you can store it for about two weeks only after making it.
Additionally, vegan ice cream sets very firmly, so leave it at room temperature for about 20 minutes before serving it to soften enough for scooping. Finally, dip a scoop in boiling water to help make serving the ice cream easier.
Now, let’s get to the best vegan ice cream recipes. Here’s an exciting selection of ice cream and sorbet recipes from Good Food for every occasion. They include everything from vanilla, coconut, chocolate, and chocolate banana ice cream. However, don’t stop there. Make the Matcha Froyo Ice Lollies and the Avocado & Strawberry Ices too.
Delicious Vegan Ice Cream Varieties
Fruits, because of their added flavors, make a lovely base for vegan ice cream and sorbet. Some popular fruits include orange, lemon, mango, apple, and strawberry. But don’t limit yourself to them; you can also use other fruits and herbs to create delicious vegan ice cream.
Justine Cooks Vegan provides excellent recipes combining fruits, chocolate, and lavender, making it super-easy to learn how to make vegan ice cream. Once you have mastered these recipes, you may find creating your flavor combinations easier.
Moreover, each of these delicious vegan ice cream recipes uses minimal ingredients and doesn’t require an ice cream machine. Must-tries include the Orange Creamsicle Ice Cream, Strawberry Lemonade Ice Cream, Chocolate Orange Cardamom ice cream, and Lemon Lavender Ice Cream. Also, make the Vegan Frozen Yogurt for a simply delicious end to a superb dinner party.
Dairy-Free Delights: Vegan Ice Cream Recipes
There are several tricks to getting the best dairy-free ice cream delights. Here’s how to make vegan ice cream creamy and delicious using cornstarch or arrowroot starch from The Kitchen. The recipe yields enough vegan vanilla ice cream to serve eight. If desired, add optional mix-ins like cacao nibs, carob chips, chocolate nibs, nuts, or fruit puree.
Some tips for getting an excellent result from the recipe creator include:
- Start by freezing the ice cream maker bowl for at least 24 hours. Some people always keep a clean bowl in the freezer; having it frozen is handy whenever you want to make ice cream.
- Shake the coconut milk thoroughly in the cans before opening it for use.
- Thoroughly dissolve the cornstarch or arrowroot starch when whisking it with coconut milk.
- Cool the ice cream base well before churning by leaving it for four hours.
- Churn the ice cream until you reach the consistency of a soft-serve ice cream.
Simple Vegan Ice Cream Recipe
Anyone can learn how to make vegan ice cream with this simple Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream recipe from It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken.
The recipe requires four ingredients, and you will need an ice cream maker. What’s great about this ice cream is that it has no coconut flavor. The ingredients required are cashews, softened unless you have a high-powered blender, some plant-based milk, white sugar, and vanilla extracts.
Start by freezing the bowl from the ice cream maker overnight. Blend all the ingredients to ensure they are smooth. Then, add the paste to the ice cream maker. Churn the mixture for about 25 minutes. You know it’s ready when it reaches the consistency of soft serve ice cream. At this stage, it’s ready to serve.
Indulge in Dairy-Free Desserts: Vegan Ice Cream Options
If learning to make vegan ice cream is not for you, you’ll be happy to know that you can still indulge in dairy-free frozen desserts by choosing from several vegan ice cream options in stores.
Vegan ice creams contain only dairy-free milk and no other animal by-products. They are also available in classic flavors like Vanilla, Chocolate, and Coconut. However, you’ll be excited to know that most brands have included several other exciting flavors.
Brands to try include Trader Joe’s, Ben & Jerry’s, SorBabes, JD/s Vegan Dairy-Free Frozen Dessert, Oatley Frozen Desserts, Planet Oat, Cado Avocado Ice Cream, and Wicked Kitchen. Mauna Loa, Nada Moo, Target-Brand Favorite Day, Perry Ice Cream, Van Leeuwen, Doozy Pots, and Earth Grown are also there to provide you with your favorite frozen vegan treats.
However, learning how to make your vegan ice cream can be a rewarding experience:
- You have complete control over the ingredients, allowing you to use high-quality, organic ingredients. You also avoid any additives or preservatives that may be present in store-bought versions.
- Customize your vegan ice cream to suit your taste preferences. You can experiment with different flavors, sweeteners, and add-ins to create unique and delicious combinations.
- Store-bought vegan ice creams may still contain allergens such as nuts or soy, making them difficult to consume if you have allergies or dietary restrictions. Making your own allows you to tailor the recipe to meet your diet’s needs.
- Making vegan ice cream allows you to control the sugar and fat in the recipe, making it a healthier option than some store-bought varieties. You can also incorporate nutritious ingredients like fruits, seeds, nuts, etc, to boost the vegan ice cream’s nutritional content.
- While store-bought vegan ice cream can be expensive, making your own at home is cheaper, especially if you buy ingredients in bulk or on sale.
- Making vegan ice cream at home reduces the need for single-use packaging, making it a more environmentally friendly and sustainable choice.
Indulge in Dairy-Free Delights: Crafting Your Own Vegan Ice Cream
Making your own vegan ice cream is not just a creative and fun kitchen activity, but it also comes with several benefits that store-bought varieties can’t match. Here’s why you might consider whipping up your batch of dairy-free dessert:
- Control Over Ingredients: You can choose exactly what goes into your dessert by making ice cream at home. This is perfect for those who prefer organic or specific ingredients due to allergies or dietary restrictions.
- Customization: Homemade ice cream allows you to experiment with flavors and ingredients. Whether you’re a fan of classic vanilla or adventurous with turmeric and black pepper, the possibilities are endless.
- Nutritional Benefits: You can adjust the sweetness, type of fat used, and overall nutritional profile of your ice cream. Incorporating fresh fruits, nuts, and seeds can enhance the health benefits.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Making vegan ice cream at home can be more economical, especially if you buy bulk ingredients or find them on sale.
- Environmentally Friendly: Homemade ice cream reduces the need for single-use packaging, aligning with a more sustainable lifestyle.
- Allergy-Friendly: Store-bought ice creams often contain common allergens like nuts or soy. Making your own allows you to avoid these and tailor the recipe to your dietary needs.
Here’s a simple way to start with homemade vegan ice cream:
Simple Homemade Vegan Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cashews, soaked and drained
- 2 cups plant-based milk (such as almond or oat milk)
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Prep: Freeze your ice cream maker bowl for at least 24 hours before you plan to make ice cream.
- Blend: In a high-powered blender, combine the soaked cashews, plant-based milk, sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Churn: Pour the mixture into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions, usually about 25 minutes, until it reaches a soft serve consistency.
- Freeze: Transfer the ice cream to an airtight container and freeze for at least 4 hours or until firm.
- Serve: For easier scooping, let the ice cream sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes. Enjoy your creamy, homemade vegan ice cream!
With these tips and a simple recipe, you’re well on your way to enjoying delicious, creamy vegan ice cream tailored just for you. Whether it’s a treat for a special occasion or a delightful way to cool down on a hot day, homemade ice cream is sure to please.
