Easy vegan vanilla ice cream that is so creamy and rich no one will believe it’s vegan. The coconut cream base takes a subtle backstage to aromatic vanilla bean. Use this ice cream as a base recipe for different flavor add-ins!

I just posted two ice cream recipes back to back – with good reason. And it’s not because I’ve got a scoop-a-night ice cream problem (which I do). It’s also not an act of rebellion against that little gem salad that’s going to result in 54 more desserts before you see another salad. Though in this case, I really did eat this vegan vanilla bean ice cream for dinner last night.

I had an entirely different recipe lined up for today, but instead, we’re having ice cream to celebrate. I filed my dissertation this afternoon so it’s dessert-ation time! Ergo: Ice cream, duh.

Vegan Vanilla Ice Cream Celebration

The whole thing was much less exciting than I anticipated. There’s a tradition at Cal that when you file your dissertation, they give you a See’s lollipop that says PHinisheD on it. As in: printed out on an inkjet and taped across the front. It’s cheesey, but it’s a tradition and I want it.

So I braved the busy side of campus I’ve spent six years avoiding, expecting to get my lollipop. When I handed over the paperwork, the receptionist just said, “Ok, thanks. You’ll get a confirmation e-mail when it’s processed.” Like NO BIG DEAL. This happens EVERY DAY.

Then like the saddest little kid you ever saw, I asked, “b-b-b-but what about my lollipop?” Seriously, I asked. As if I was the one person he forgot to give a lollipop to. His less-than-amused response: “Oh, you don’t get that until the paperwork is approved in about 3 business days.”

Which means I have to go back (you better believe I will, too)! This also means filing your dissertation is a hugely uneventful activity.

So instead I came home and ate this vegan vanilla ice cream straight out of the freezer. No shame.

What’s Vegan Ice Cream Made Of?

The best way to make vegan ice cream is to use a blend of coconut cream, coconut milk, and coconut oil to balance the creaminess and fat in a vegan ice cream. Coconut cream works great because it provides enough fat to make this the smoothest and creamiest vegan ice cream recipe ever.

When you add flavors like vanilla bean to the base, the coconut easily hides into the background without overpowering the ice cream or leaving a chalky aftertaste. At the bottom I’ll link all of my flavor variations!

Best Vegan Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe

Like the strawberry vegan chocolate chip ice cream I shared last month, this vanilla version is intensely creamy. With a deep vanilla bean aroma, this ice cream has just a hint of coconut you’d only pick out if you knew you were looking for it. I’m so addicted to this vegan coconut ice cream base that I’m keeping my ice cream maker bowl in the freezer permanently. Don’t expect the ice cream recipes to stop until next winter. Sorry not sorry.

Vegan Ice Cream Recipes

All of these recipes use this vegan vanilla ice cream recipe as the base!

• Coconut Ginger Ice Cream with Plantain Chips
• Coconut Matcha Ice Cream with Black Sesame Brittle Chips
• Coconut Black Sesame Ice Cream with Strawberry Swirl
• Vegan Cardamom Ice Cream
• Vegan Blackberry Basil Ice Cream
• Vegan Strawberry Coconut Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

Vegan Vanilla Ice Cream Float Recipes

Both of these recipes use this vegan vanilla bean ice cream to make ice cream floats – the ultimate summer treat!

• Lavender Earl Grey Blackberry Ice Cream Floats
• Hibiscus Ginger Ice Cream Floats