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Vegan Vanilla Ice Cream

Vegan Vanilla Ice Cream

This Vegan Vanilla Ice Cream is a smooth, rich, and creamy dairy-free dessert made with wholesome ingredients like full-fat coconut milk, vanilla, and natural sweeteners. It’s easy to make, allergy-friendly, and customizable, perfect for vegans, lactose intolerant individuals, or anyone seeking a healthy indulgence with deep vanilla flavor and a luscious texture.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 2 cans (13.5 oz each) full-fat coconut milk
  • 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped or 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup or agave nectar
  • 1/2 cup raw cashews, soaked (optional for extra creaminess)
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Ingredients: Chill the full-fat coconut milk in the refrigerator overnight. If using cashews, soak them in warm water for at least 4 hours or overnight to soften.
  2. Blend the Base: In a high-speed blender, combine the chilled coconut milk, soaked cashews (if using), scraped vanilla seeds or vanilla extract, maple syrup or agave nectar, and a pinch of salt. Blend until perfectly smooth and creamy, ensuring there are no lumps.
  3. Chill Your Mixture: Pour the blended mixture into a bowl, cover it tightly, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. This helps develop flavors and improves the creaminess of the ice cream.
  4. Freeze and Stir: Transfer the chilled mixture to an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions for about 20-30 minutes until thick and creamy. If you don’t have an ice cream maker, pour the mixture into a shallow container and freeze, stirring every 30 minutes for a few hours until smooth.
  5. Final Freeze: After churning or stirring, place the ice cream in an airtight container and freeze for an additional 2-4 hours to fully firm up before serving.

Notes

  • Use full-fat canned coconut milk instead of lite for the best creamy texture.
  • Soak cashews thoroughly to prevent graininess and achieve smoothness.
  • Keep ingredients cold before blending to reduce ice crystals and improve mouthfeel.
  • Scraping vanilla beans provides a more intense and natural flavor than vanilla extract alone.
  • Don’t skip the pinch of salt; it enhances the sweetness and balances flavors.

Nutrition

Keywords: vegan vanilla ice cream, dairy-free ice cream, coconut milk ice cream, plant-based dessert, lactose free