The creamiest homemade dairy-free vanilla ice cream ever! Made with only 5 ingredients and is vegan, paleo, gluten-free & refined sugar free!Ā
I know many of you are singing the “Summer’s Over” blues Ā as your sweet kids begin aĀ new school year…however I am not lettingĀ summerĀ go quite yet. Don’t get me wrong, fall is my favorite season of them all! But I am not ready to give up our daily pool adventures, fresh summer produce….or ice cream…just yet!
Maybe it’s because we homeschool our kids, which means thatĀ ourĀ “back to school” looks a little different than the norm, butĀ I’m still majorly feeling the summer vibes! So, to celebrate the continuation of summer, Ā I bring you Paleo Vanilla Ice Cream! It is the best (non-chocolate) ice cream I have ever had! Made with only 5 ingredients, this delicious cold treat can be enjoyed by just about everyone! It’s vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free and paleo with zero refined sugar! Plus itĀ only takes 5 minutes of active prep! WIN!
I triedĀ adaptingĀ my Paleo Vanilla Coffee CreamerĀ into a recipe for ice cream…butĀ it totallyĀ didn’t work! Something about the coconut sugar just tastedĀ off. So, I stuckĀ with what works (because if it ain’t broke…)! Similar to this dairy-free Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream, this recipe calls for honey or maple syrup (for all my strict vegan friends out there), as the sweetener! Once I made a few adjustments, the result was some seriously delicious and healthy ice cream
!I am all about ultra-creamy ice cream. The absence of dairy should neverĀ mean we have to sacrifice texture or taste! The liquid sweetener, Ā as well asĀ the addition of Almond Butter, makes this Paleo Vanilla Ice Cream irresistiblyĀ creamy! Of course I use my absolute favorite…Barney Smooth almond butter! See those delicious little flecks of almond-buttery goodness?! {Sigh}
Why would a chocolate aficionado (like yours truly) need to create a vanilla ice cream recipe?! (great question)!Ā Well I will let you in on a little secret… there are only (and I mean ONLY) two occasions thatĀ I preferĀ vanilla ice cream to chocolate.
- When it’s onĀ top of warm {gooey} brownies…and
- If it’s loaded withĀ cookie dough {pssst, get the recipe here}!
Basically, I needed to create a healthy vanilla ice cream to eat on theseĀ paleo brownies, these black bean brownies, or these vegan peanut butter black bean brownies! Can you blame me?!
This is another recipe creation that is made in the Vitamix! I have made so many differentĀ ice cream recipes, and the dairy-free versions always turn out the best when the ingredients are blended together!
Thoroughly blending the Almond Butter into the coconut milk not only ensures that the flavors are distributed evenly, but it also helpsĀ achieve maximum creaminess without the addition ofĀ eggs! Thus, creating a Paleo Vanilla Ice Cream that even my vegan friends can enjoy!
Go crazy and top your Paleo Vanilla Ice Cream with some melted almond butter or some raw cocoa nibs (or both)! Eat it straight from the container or serve it on top of warm, ooey gooey brownies.
One more quick note:Ā Many people ask me if they can make ice cream without an ice cream maker. The answer is yes, you can churn it by hand…but I highlyĀ recommend investing in an ice cream maker if you want the creamiest, dreamiest, homemade ice cream possible. It doesn’t have to break the bank either! I bought my very first ice cream maker on clearance at Target for $7…and it served me well for many Ā years!
Paleo Vanilla Ice Cream: Substitutions
Here are a few possible substitutions for this recipe!
Coconut milk:Ā Full-fat coconut cream or coconut milk can be used in this recipe with great results! Using light coconut milk will cause it to lose some of its creaminess.
Almond butter:Ā Any nut or seed butter can be used in this recipe. My two favorites are almond butter {obviously} and cashew butter {YUM}!
Honey.Ā Maple syrup can be used in place of honey for a vegan version!
IF YOU MAKE SOMETHING FROM JOYFOODSUNSHINE I WOULDĀ LOVEĀ TO SEE YOUR CREATIONS! DONāT FORGET TO RATE THIS RECIPE AND LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW! ALSO, FOLLOW ALONG WITH ME ONĀ INSTAGRAM,Ā PINTEREST,Ā FACEBOOKĀ ANDĀ TWITTERĀ FOR MORE RECIPE INSPIRATION AND A GLIMPSE INTO OUR EVERYDAY LIFE!
Paleo Vanilla Almond Butter Ice Cream
The creamiest homemade dairy-free vanilla ice cream ever! Made with only 5 ingredients and is vegan, paleo, gluten-free & refined sugar free! #paleo #glutenfree #dairyfree #icecream #vegan #vanillaicecream #homemade #recipe #healthydessert #healthy
Ingredients
- 1 14 oz can full-fat coconut milk or cream
- Ā¼ cup honey (maple syrup for vegan)
- Ā¼ cup almond butter
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- Ā¼ tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Place all ingredients into a Vitamix (or other high-powered blender) in the order listed.
- Blend on high for 30 seconds, or until smooth and mixture is homogenous.
- Turn on your ice cream maker.
- Pour mixture directly from the Vitamix into the ice cream maker while it is moving.
- Let the ice cream churn for about 20-25 minutes until it becomes a firm ball or the ice cream maker stops rotating.
- Transfer to an airtight, freezer-friendly container and freeze for at least 1 hour, or until completely frozen.
- Makes about 1 pint of ice cream.
Recipe Notes
Many people ask me if they can make ice cream without an ice cream maker. The answer is yes, you can churn it by hand but I highly recommend investing in an ice cream maker if you want the creamiest, dreamiest, homemade ice cream possible.
*Nutrition information calculated based on using coconut milk, for the recipe yielding 6, 1/3 cup servings!Ā
So far I’ve had one of those weeks where my kids go from being the cutest little things in the history of the world, to the most disobedient children ever in 0.25 seconds flat. No matter what, I adore them and am so blessed to be their mommy. Plus…there’s literally nothing that can happen in a day that a giant scoop of ice cream on a warm fudgy brownie can’t fix! #canigetanAMEN?
What’s yourĀ favorite ice cream flavor? Do you prefer vanilla or chocolate?!Ā
Need some more ice cream recipes?!
Paleo Sea Salt Chocolate Ice Cream
Dairy-Free Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream
Paleo Cookie Dough Ice Cream
This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase aĀ product through a link you clicked on here, I receive a portion of the sale.Ā Thank you for supporting JoyFoodSunshine!Ā
Ahhhh, I am DROOLING!!! This looks sooooo tasty! I have seriously been craving ice cream for weeks now, so I can’t wait to give this recipe a try! I’m already so excited because you recommended the Barney almond butter-isn’t it legit the best thing ever?! Thanks so much for sharing this awesome recipe <3
Barney Butter is my absolute favorite almond butter out there! SO good! š
This looks AMAZING Laura! the vegan version I made last week used aquafaba (which is crazy btw!) but I think I need to switch up the recipe a bit and I am loving this!
Ellie | Hungry by Nature recently posted…Greek Salad with Spiralized Cucumber
Thank you Ellie! I have never even heard of aquafaba….off to google it!!! š
YES please!! Ice cream make out of coconut milk is the best. thing. ever.
I agree! I usually prefer coconut cream but coconut milk worked beautifully in this recipe!
YUM! I love me some ice cream and I love that this doesn’t include bananas. This lady over here can’t eat bananas š
Jenn – a traveling Wife recently posted…What I Eat In A Day [While Living In A Hotel]
I cannot get behind the whole “nice cream” thing! I mean, I’ve made it for my kids with spinach (topped with some sprinkles, ice cream for lunch = total mom points) but it does not satisfy my ice cream cravings at ALL! This, however, totally DOES! š
This looks sooooo good!! Definitely making a big batch of this.
It is SUPER delish! If you make it pretty please report back and let me know what you think!
Quick question what if I don’t have an ice cream maker or vitmamix ? I just have a small food proccser and nutribullet ! How would I do that to get that thick concistency
And what’s a better substitute for syrups ?
Leave them out. Use coconut cream instead of coconut milk. Maybe add some cinnamon. You really don’t need the syrups.
YES, I want to eat all of this! I especially love that you included almond butter. YUM.
Thank you Courtney! The almond butter definitely enhances the creaminess of this ice cream!!!
This is the most perfect looking vanilla ice cream!!
It’s pretty delicious…says someone who usually scoffs at the idea of eating anything that isn’t chocolate! š <3
Praying for grace to get through the week Laura! <3 I know that God's grace is sufficient for you friend. <3
This ice cream looks dreamy. I think coconut milk might almost make a better ice cream than regular cream. š
Even the hardest moments with my kids are full of joy! I love those little munchkins and am so blessed to get to stay home and not miss a second of their sweet little lives! š <3 Thankfully my husband has Fridays off (Pastor's life)! So today is going to be a great day! š
This just looks so creamy and decadent! I also love that it contains almond butter!! So delish!
Thank you Jamie! Added protein and creaminess! win win! š
This has me wishing I owned an ice cream maker! Vanilla is always my favorite go-to for ice cream; so fresh and creamy. If I ever invest in an ice cream maker, this will be my first recipe to taste test!
I bought my first ice cream maker on clearance at Target for $7! I found my awesome one at a yard sale for $20 (with an extra freezer container too)! Keep your eyes peeled and an ice cream maker doesn’t have to break the bank!
This is literally perfection!! Looks amazing as always! Pinned this beauty!
rachel @ athleticavocado recently posted…Single-Serving Paleo Tropical Breakfast Pizza {Vegan option}
Thank you Rachel! š
Yum! My favourite ice cream flavour is hokey pokey (a New Zealand thing.)
But if it is between vanilla and chocolate, I’m vanilla for sure.
OoOOOo what is Hokey Pokey?!
HELLLLLOOOOOOOOO heaven! I totally need this in my life.
My favourite ice cream is anything with chocolate. Chocolate icecream, chocolate chip, mint chocolate chip, chocolate swirls – you name it š
Kristy from Southern In Law recently posted…Recent Things: The Birthday Edition
Chocolate is my FAVE too! š
I can’t believe this ice cream is paleo Laura! It looks so delicious!
Thank you Ashlyn! It is super delicious AND healthy!
Mmm love the honey and almond butter combo <3 delicious!!
Thank you Rebecca! It makes this ice cream irresistibly creamy! š
Your Vanillla Ice Cream looks amazing, a special treat for a hot August day. Hope you are having a fantastic day and thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday!
Come Back Soon,
Miz Helen
Thank you so much! š
Thanks for sharing. I love paleo ice cream. I cant wait to try your recipe!
Thank you Gabrielle! Ice cream is the best…especially when it’s healthy! š
If you freeze it overnight, will it harden into a solid brick?
Will it still be scoopable???!!
If I don’t own an ice cream maker will it work to pour it into a container and then the freezer?
Hey Liz! you can make this without an ice cream maker, but I highly suggest buying one! Your ice cream will be more dense and less creamy without churning. You can churn it by hand (stir in the freezer every 15 minutes until it hardens) There’s truly nothing like homemade ice cream! And it doesn’t have to break the bank! I bought my first one on clearance at Target for $7!!!
Can I make this ice cream without the almond butter? If not (for creaminess sake), will the flavor of the ice cream be like almond butter (which I don’t like) or will it be unnoticeable? Thank you for a reply. I can’t wait to try this!
Hey Cathy! I think the almond butter gives it a great creaminess. You could sub peanut butter (not paleo), cashew butter, or sunflower butter if you don’t like almond butter! I haven’t tried making it without some kind of added fat/creamy ingredient, but if you do report back and let me know how it goes!
wondering if coconut butter could be used successfully instead of almond butter?
Hey Cheryl! I haven’t tried that variety but that sounds seriously delicious! If you give it a whirl pretty please report back and let me know how it goes! It would provide fat and creaminess…so I’m guessing it would be great!
this looks fantastic! Is the topping just warmed up almond butter?
Hello Dusty! Yep! I just warmed up some Barney Almond Butter and went to down on the drizzle! š
Hi, any chance you have the nutrition facts from this amazing recipe?? Thanks in advance. š
Loved this recipe but do you have a fat/carb/protein info for us obsessive about our numbers?
Thanks!
Hey Gena! I don’t post calorie information…however you can easily plug the ingredients into a website like this and find out! š
you can read the nutrition facts on the products that you included in the recipe and get all that info.
Hi,
Oh this looks sooooo yummy ! Is it possible to make this Keto Friendly?
Pia
Hello Pia! I am not familiar with the Keto diet! I’m sorry!
How long can you keep this once made??
You can keep in in the freezer for up to 3 months !
Hi Laura. I’m allergic to coconut and dairy, so I was wondering if I could use cashew milk?
OMG, I made this yesterday in my Cuisinart ice cream maker and it was perfection!!! It is so good and will be my go to treat from now on! Thank you so much!!
YAY Karen!! I am so glad you liked this ice cream! š Thank you so much for stopping by to let me know!
Morning.
Can I use macadamia butter in stead of almond butter?
Thanks
Hello Yvonne! I have not tried that substitution so I can’t say for certain…but I have a feeling that would be DIVINE!!!
Thank you. I’ll give it a go!!
Almond butter very expensive.
I understand that! Have you tried making your own? If you can find almonds on sale it’s very economical!!
Hi Laura,
Do you think that this would work with raw honey?
Absolutely I do! I use raw honey most of the time!
Would this recipe work with Almond milk?
Hey Giselle! I would be hesitant to use almond milk because it would take away from the ultra creaminess that the coconut cream gives. If you don’t like coconut, you could try using an almond milk creamer or something like that. But almond milk in itself (unless it’s homemade) would probably make for a more icy less creamy treat!
I totally agree with you about the purposes of vanilla ice cream! This one definitely looks worth trying though, and it adds to my list of reasons to buy an ice cream maker š
Hi Laura, did you use the whole can of coconut milk or just the cream off the top part? Thanks!
The whole can!
I am on a candida diet…I can use either stevia and/or xylitol for sweetener. What amount would you recommend if using xylitol? I can’t have honey or maple syrup in stage one of the ACD. Thanks!
This recipe came out really well texture-wise although a bit salty. I will halve the salt next time and it’ll be perfect.
Laura, I don’t have almond butter, will almonds work? Or should I make it without or wait until I can get almond butter? Thank you
Hey Diane! If you have a high-powered blender like a Vitamix or a food processor you can use it to make your own creamy almond butter to use in this recipe! (here’s a great “how-to”)! Using whole almonds will not work because you need the creamy consistency of the almond butter! You could sub any other nut or seed butter as long as it complies with your dietary needs!
Thank you SO much, Laura. That’s doable. I’ll use the second recipe and make tomorrow. National Ice Cream Day after all,
You’ll have to let me know how you like it Diane! š
Have you ever doubled this recipe? Does it still work in the ice cream maker?
I assume the almond butter helps give it a creamy texture,but Is the almond butter present tastewise? Is it overpowering or mild?I would really like to make,so I was just wondering beforehand.
I personally do not think the almond butter is at all overpowering! I think it simply makes the ice cream ultra creamy! You could try substituting a milder nut butter like cashew butter if you’re concerned!
What size of can milk or cream do you use and can you use something else to substitute for the almond butter?
Thanks so much!!!
Can wait to make
Hi there!! Iām wondering if I double the recipe if the consistency is the same??
Hey Kisha! I find that my ice cream maker can only handle one batch of this recipe at a time! If you double it and have two bowls for your ice cream maker then you can churn half at a time, one batch right after another! If you have a larger than standard ice cream maker it could handle two batches!
How does one churn the ice cream mix without a ice cream
Machine?