Introduction
If you’re craving a genuinely creamy and rich scoop of ice cream without dairy, look no further! In this article, we’ll introduce you to the best homemade almond milk ice cream and cashew milk ice cream recipes. By using either cashew or almond milk, you can enjoy a bowl of amazing dairy-free ice cream that rivals even the store-bought varieties. And the best part? No ice chunks, no dairy, no coconut, and no bananas! With just three main ingredients, you can create a base recipe that serves as the foundation for a variety of flavors, including vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, cookies and cream, and peppermint.
My Go-To for Creamy Dairy-Free Ice Cream
When it comes to store-bought nut milk options, most contain preservatives and unnecessary additives that strip away the healthy nutrients from the nuts. These brands are often diluted with water, resulting in an icy rather than creamy texture when used for homemade dairy-free ice cream. That’s why I choose to make my own nut milks at home using JOI’s almond and cashew plant bases.
JOI stands for Just One Ingredient, and their plant bases are made with only almonds or cashews — no additives or fillers. What’s more, JOI nut milks contain up to six times more nut content than store-bought versions, providing you with higher amounts of nutritious fats, protein, and fiber. By blending JOI’s almond or cashew plant base with water, you can create your own creamy and flavorful nut milk that’s perfect for making homemade almond milk ice cream and cashew milk ice cream.
If you’re interested in trying JOI plant bases for yourself, use the code “MINDOVERMUNCH10” during checkout to enjoy a 10% discount.
Ingredient Substitution Notes
Nut Milk
All the homemade dairy-free ice cream recipes shared here can be made with either almond milk or cashew milk. Feel free to choose the nut milk that suits your taste preferences. While I recommend using JOI nut milks, you can also experiment with other brands. Simply substitute the water and JOI plant base with 2 cups of your preferred nut milk.
Egg Yolks
Egg yolks play a vital role in creating a custard ice cream base that is creamy and devoid of iciness. Unfortunately, I have not tested any substitutes for egg yolks in these recipes. However, if you’re looking for a vegan alternative, I have a no-churn coconut ice cream recipe you can try.
Sugar
While the custard ice cream base works with coconut sugar and no-calorie sweeteners, they may slightly alter the taste and texture. Keep in mind that using coconut sugar may lead to a darker appearance in lighter flavors like vanilla, though this won’t be noticeable in darker flavors like chocolate. Personally, I find that granulated white sugar works best and provides the most satisfying taste across all these recipes.
Vanilla
If you prefer an authentic vanilla bean flavor, feel free to scrape out the seeds from a whole vanilla bean. However, using vanilla extract and paste is more convenient and affordable. I particularly enjoy the stronger flavor that vanilla paste provides. Alternatively, you can omit the vanilla paste and use additional vanilla extract.
Homemade Dairy-Free Ice Cream Maker Recipes
Now that you’re familiar with the basics, it’s time to fire up your ice cream machine and start creating delightful flavors. We’ll begin with a classic vanilla ice cream as the foundation, followed by four additional flavors: chocolate, strawberry, cookies and cream, and peppermint. Remember, all these recipes can be made using either almond milk or cashew milk. And if you’re feeling adventurous, feel free to experiment and come up with your own unique flavors!
To watch the complete process for each of these recipes, check out my video on homemade cashew and almond milk ice cream.
Dairy-Free Vanilla Ice Cream
Dairy-Free Chocolate Ice Cream
Dairy-Free Strawberry Ice Cream
Dairy-Free Cookies and Cream Ice Cream
Dairy-Free Peppermint Ice Cream
Enjoy the creamy and delicious world of homemade dairy-free ice cream. Whether you stick to the classic vanilla or venture into the realm of unique flavors, you’re sure to be delighted by the amazing taste and texture of these recipes. Remember to have fun and get creative in your ice cream-making journey!
