Vegan Ice Cream Recipe (Dairy-Free, Vanilla Flavored)

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As the temperature rises and hot summer days beckon, there's nothing quite as refreshing as indulging in a sweet and creamy ice cream treat. If you follow a vegan diet or have dietary restrictions, you don't have to miss out on this delightful experience. With just a few simple plant-based ingredients, you can make your own vegan ice cream recipe at home. By combining the richness of coconut cream and cashews, the sweetness of maple syrup, and the aromatic vanilla extract, you'll create a delectable dessert that will satisfy your cravings and keep you cool all summer long. 

Making dairy free vanilla ice cream

This homemade ice cream recipe uses simple ingredients that you should be able to find at almost any grocery store. Although this recipe is vegan, I wanted to make sure it's accessible and easy to make and doesn't require ingredients that are hard to find. 

You also will not need any fancy equipment. Many ice cream recipes require an ice cream machine (the Cuisinart ice cream maker has been super popular lately!), but those can be expensive and you shouldn't need expensive equipment just to make delicious ice cream. All you'll need is a food processor or high-speed blender, ice cream molds, and popsicle sticks. 

If you do not have popsicle molds, I have included directions for how to still make this recipe without them.

The ice cream base for this recipe is full-fat coconut milk. You want to have enough fat in your ice cream and the coconut gives it that without any dairy. The addition to the coconut, the cashews will also add to the creaminess.

Some non-dairy ice cream recipes will use frozen bananas to create creaminess, but not everyone likes the subtle flavor of bananas, and with this recipe, there is no strong coconut flavor.

I also wanted to add as little added sugar as possible, without at all compromising on taste. The sweetener we will use to achieve this in this recipe is maple syrup. 

​To take this vanilla ice cream to the next level, I paired it with a homemade vegan caramel sauce and covered it in vegan dark chocolate. This is optional, and you can simply add the vanilla ice cream to the molds and enjoy it that way, but I really think you're in for a treat if you make the recipe fully. 

This recipe is overall easy, incredibly delicious, and contains relatively healthy ingredients, especially compared to traditional ice cream. 

What you'll need to make this vegan vanilla ice cream 

Ice Cream Ingredients

• canned coconut milk: you will need full fat coconut milk for this recipe. You will have to refrigerate the can overnight. Then when you are ready to make the recipe, you will scoop out just the solid part that has formed at the top of the can. This is the coconut cream and the only part that you will be using for the recipe (you won't be using the water). It's very important that you buy canned coconut milk. This is made very differently from a regular plant-based milk alternative and things like almond milk, soy milk, oat milk, or cashew milk will not work instead of canned coconut milk. 
• raw cashews: you will need to soak the cashews in water overnight or in boiling water for a few hours before making the recipe. Make sure you use unroasted and unsalted cashews.
• maple syrup: I think maple syrup or another liquid sweetener like agave or corn syrup works best for this recipe, but you can use white sugar if you'd like. 
• vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste 
• pinch of salt

Caramel Sauce Ingredients

• coconut cream: just like in the ice cream ingredients above, you will only use the solid part of the canned coconut milk that forms at the top.
• coconut sugar: although you can use brown sugar or white sugar in this part, I highly recommend using coconut sugar. The rich dark color and unique taste of coconut sugar works best for this recipe.
• vanilla extract
• sea salt: we will be adding a generous amount of salt to create a salted caramel flavor to this delicious sauce.

I love creating a delicious vegan caramel sauce to go with this recipe because the flavors go so well with this recipe, but that part is optional. 

Chocolate Shell Ingredients 

• dark chocolate chips: we will melt the chocolate chips and create a chocolate shell for the vanilla ice cream.

Equipment 

• food processor
• 4 ice cream molds
• 4 popsicle sticks

Making this into ice cream scoops instead of ice cream bars

If you don't want to make this ice cream into bars like I did here, that is totally okay too! You can just as easily make this recipe just as is and then instead of adding it in the popsicle molds, transfer the ice cream to a loaf pan. Then place the loaf pan in the freezer for 6-7 hours. 

Use an ice cream scoop to scoop out the ice cream and place it in a bowl or in an ice cream cone to enjoy.

You can still make the vegan homemade caramel sauce to drizzle on top and even add some chocolate sauce on top of that. 

How to make the ice cream

To a blender, add all of the ice cream ingredients. Blend for several minutes, until you get a very smooth and creamy texture. 

Take your ice cream molds and place the popsicle sticks inside. Divide the ice cream into four equal parts among the popsicle molds. Place them in the freezer to harden.

Now it's time to make the caramel. In a pan over medium heat, add in all of the caramel ingredients. 

Cook them for 4-5 minutes, until all of the sugar has melted and the ingredients form a thick, caramel sauce. 

Remove the ice cream molds from the freezer, and add caramel to each ice cream mold. 

Place them in the freezer again, this time overnight or for at least 6-7 hours, until they are fully frozen. 

To create the chocolate shell, melt the chocolate chips. 

Place them in a tall cup (big enough for the ice creams to fit), then microwave them for 30 seconds. 

Remove the chips from the microwave, stir them with a fork, and microwave for another 30 seconds. 

Repeat this process until all of the chocolate has melted. This may take 4-5 times.

Remove each ice cream bar from the freezer and remove it from the mold. Dip each ice cream all the way into the melted chocolate, until it is fully covered. 

Then place the ice cream on a plate and place it back in the freezer. 

Repeat this until all of the ice cream bars are fully covered in chocolate. 

Once the chocolate hardens in the freezer, you can dig in and enjoy! 

How to store the ice cream

To store the ice cream, transfer it to an airtight container that is freezer-safe. Store this vegan dessert in the freezer for up to a month and enjoy them anytime you're craving a sweet treat!

If you are looking for more refreshing summer desserts to help you cool off this summer, try these other vegan treats:

• watermelon popsicles
• frozen yogurt cups
• coffee ice cream
• chocolate mochi recipe
• vegan blueberry cheesecake

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