Description
A creamy, dairy-free vanilla vegan ice cream made with full-fat coconut milk and almond milk, sweetened naturally with maple syrup or sugar. This easy-to-make recipe yields rich, smooth, and flavorful ice cream without any animal products, perfect for a refreshing dessert or snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Liquid Ingredients
- 1 can (13.5 ounces) full-fat coconut milk
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or oat milk
Sweeteners and Fats
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil, melted
Thickening and Flavor
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare Cornstarch Slurry: In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of the almond milk until smooth and set aside, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Combine Base Ingredients: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, mix the coconut milk, remaining almond milk, sugar or maple syrup, melted coconut oil, and salt. Stir the mixture until smooth and allow it to gently simmer.
- Thicken the Mixture: Gradually whisk in the cornstarch slurry. Continue cooking the mixture for 3 to 5 minutes while stirring constantly until it thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
- Add Vanilla and Cool: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the pure vanilla extract. Let the mixture cool down to room temperature.
- Chill the Base: Cover the mixture and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or until it is fully chilled to prepare for churning.
- Churn the Ice Cream: Pour the chilled mixture into an ice cream maker and churn following the manufacturer’s instructions until the ice cream is thick and creamy.
- Freeze to Firm Up: Transfer the churned ice cream into a freezer-safe container and freeze for 2 to 4 hours to achieve the desired firmness before serving.
Notes
- For a no-churn version, freeze in a shallow container, stirring vigorously every 30 minutes for 3 to 4 hours to prevent ice crystals.
- Use full-fat coconut milk for the creamiest texture.
- Add vanilla bean paste instead of extract for a more intense vanilla flavor.
