Creamy Dairy-Free Ice Cream (4 Flavors!) Recipe
This creamy dairy-free ice cream recipe uses full-fat coconut milk and natural sweeteners to create a rich, smooth, and versatile ice cream base. With easy steps including heating, blending, chilling, and churning, you can make four delicious flavors of dairy-free ice cream perfect for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes (including chilling and freezing time)
- Yield: About 1 quart (4 servings)
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Vegan American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- 2 (13.66 fl. oz) cans full-fat coconut milk
- 3/4 cup sugar (150g)
- 1/4 cup agave nectar (85g)
- 2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons coconut oil (36g)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
Instructions
- Combine the base: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add both cans of coconut milk, sugar, agave nectar, coconut oil, vanilla extract, and salt. Whisk to combine and continue whisking occasionally until wisps of steam appear, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Blend the base: Transfer the mixture to a blender, secure the lid tightly, and blend on medium speed for 15 seconds to fully incorporate the ingredients. Alternatively, use an immersion blender for this step.
- Chill the base: Pour the ice cream base into a container and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, ideally overnight. The base should reach about 45°F before churning. If the mixture separates during chilling, whisk it to recombine before churning.
- Churn the ice cream: Pour the chilled base into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer's instructions. At this stage, the ice cream will have a soft-serve consistency.
- Freeze: Transfer the churned ice cream into a sealed, freezer-safe container. Freeze for at least 4 hours to achieve a firmer, scoopable texture before serving.
Notes
- Use full-fat coconut milk for the creamiest texture.
- Natural sweeteners like agave nectar add a nice hint of flavor and balance sweetness.
- Chilling the base thoroughly is essential for optimal churning and creaminess.
- Soft-serve consistency can be enjoyed immediately, but freezing longer firms up the texture.
- Make sure to whisk the mixture before churning if it separates during refrigeration.
