Coconut Milk Ice Cream – The Ultimate Dairy-Free Delight!
Coconut milk ice cream is the crème de la crème of dairy-free desserts. With just five wholesome ingredients, you can whip up a batch of vegan “nice” cream that will satisfy your sweet tooth and keep you cool all summer long.
Why We Love Coconut Ice Cream
As the temperatures soar in the south, nothing beats a refreshing scoop of ice cream. While traditional ice cream is a classic favorite, there are times when we need a dairy-free alternative for our friends with special dietary needs. Enter coconut milk ice cream!
This non-dairy ice cream, also known as nice cream, is made with creamy coconut milk, rich coconut cream, and a touch of vanilla extract. The result is a velvety smooth and sweet treat that everyone can enjoy.
Dairy-Free Coconut Milk Ice Cream: To Heat or Not to Heat?
Making coconut milk ice cream from scratch is a breeze, and the taste is absolutely fabulous. Surprisingly, you don’t always need to heat the mixture before churning, which saves you a significant amount of time.
Whether you need to heat the mixture or not depends on the brand of coconut milk or cream you use, as well as the blender. To find out, simply blend all the ingredients together. If the mixture is smooth without any chunks, you can churn it as-is without heating.
However, if there are coconut cream chunks, they will freeze into hard clumps in the ice cream. In that case, gently warm the mixture over medium heat until smooth, stirring regularly. Then, chill it until it reaches room temperature before churning.
Ingredients You Need
The beauty of this vegan nice cream recipe lies in its simplicity. With just five wholesome ingredients, you can create a dairy-free delight that will tantalize your taste buds. You’ll need:
- Full-fat unsweetened coconut milk
- Coconut cream
- Granulated sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Salt
Plus, don’t forget to gather your favorite toppings for an extra special touch!
How to Make Coconut Milk Ice Cream
Whether you decide to heat the mixture or not, the first step is to blend all the ingredients together until smooth. If there are any coconut cream chunks, it’s best to heat the mixture before chilling it completely.
Once the ice cream mixture is cold, it’s time to bring out your trusty ice cream maker. Pour the smooth and cold coconut ice cream mixture into the machine and churn for 20-25 minutes until it becomes thick, firm, and smooth. Be careful not to over-churn, as it may result in a hard and brittle texture.
Serve immediately or transfer to an airtight container and freeze until you’re ready to indulge.
Possible Add-Ins and Dairy-Free Toppings
The possibilities for adding extra yumminess to your coconut milk ice cream are endless! After churning, you can fold in or top your ice cream with various dairy-free delights. Consider adding:
- Coconut shreds
- Strawberry sauce
- Chocolate shavings
- Dark chocolate chips
- Chopped nuts like cashews, macadamia nuts, or pistachios
- Lime or lemon zest
- Crushed pineapple
- Fresh berries
- Berry jam
For the ultimate vegan sundae, don’t forget to add some homemade dairy-free whipped cream and a cherry on top!
Frequently Asked Questions
Looking for More Dairy-Free Dessert Recipes?
If you’re craving more dairy-free desserts, we’ve got you covered! Try these delicious recipes:
- No-Churn Mocha Mint Chip Vegan Ice Cream
- Meyer Lemon and Peppercorn Italian Ice
- Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding (Vegan!)
- Thai Mango Sticky Rice
- “Date With Fate” Tropical Smoothies
Share This Recipe With Friends!
Spread the coconut milk ice cream love by sharing this recipe with your friends and loved ones. They’ll be forever grateful for this dairy-free delight!
Remember, when it comes to delightful dairy-free desserts, there’s nothing quite like coconut milk ice cream. So grab your favorite toppings and indulge in this creamy and refreshing treat. Enjoy!
