The Only Dairy-Free Ice Cream Recipe You Will Ever Need: Cashew Milk Ice Cream (2024)

The Only Dairy-Free Ice Cream Recipe You Will Ever Need: Cashew Milk Ice Cream (1)

What would summer bewithout a gigantic bowl, heaping with delicious ice cream and topped with a cup of rainbowjimmies?

Terrible, that’s what.

But the alternate scenario that involves a whole-lotta dairy treats is an equally terrible and sometimes horrifying summer. You know the story. You indulge and have a gigantic bowl of delicious frozen delight and everything is butterflies and rainbows. A short time later, the clouds roll in and you’re in the throws of the most debilitating lactose intolerant episode of your life. All while wearing a bikini.

The bloating…

Ever since I was a child this has been my life. Resist the ice cream, feel sad and envious. Eat the ice cream, be full of sickness and regret. I really had to have some serious grown-up thoughts at a very young age. Tough decisions.

-The Search For Dessert-

For the longest time I had just accepted that I had one of two choices. Either eat “Nice Cream” which is just blended frozen bananas, or go to the grocery store and buy dairy-free ice cream that is full of sugar and stabilizers, and not full of a yummy ice cream taste.

Guys, those choices suck.

As I grew into full-sized adulthood, I decided “I have a degree in Dietetics. I get food science. How hard could it possibly be???” I became determined tohave my ice cream and eat it too.

Silly, silly me.

I can’t begin to tell you howmany pints of homemade ice cream I’ve made, tasted, been disgusted with, and then still ate. The reason why it never tasted right was because of the science of ice cream. I kick myself for not thinking of it sooner. For instance, cow milk and heavy cream are two important parts of traditional ice cream because they give the finished product a smooth and creamy texture. The higher the fat content of the ice cream, the softer the product. Sugar is also important because it not only makes it sweet, it keeps the ice cream from getting rock solid.

These key ingredients just so happen to be the ones I’ve been avoiding all of my life.

SO after far too many misfit pints and growing disdain for my lactose-tolerant friends, I finally found the perfectingredient. Cashew Milk.

Here’s why this recipe is the shiz:

  1. Cashew Milk is much creamer and milder in flavor than its popular cousins Almond and Coconut. I am in love with the Silk brand.
  2. The recipe you’ll be drooling over is prepared as a traditional “frozen custard” lending to a softer, more full-bodied product while still maintaining a solid nutrition profile.
  3. It’s not that hard. Seriously.

***I HIGHLY recommend investing in an electric ice cream maker. I bought mine at the end of summer last year on clearance for a whopping $20. You can find the one I use HERE and even full price is pretty reasonable. ***

The Only Dairy-Free Ice Cream Recipe You Will Ever Need: Cashew Milk Ice Cream (2)

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups Silk Original Cashew Milk (reserve 1/2 cup for the end process)

1 can full-fat Coconut Milk, unopened, refrigerated

3/4 cup Truvia Baking Blend Sweetener

2 Eggs, beaten

1/2 tbsp Vegan Butter, or real butter if not dairy free*

1 tsp Vanilla Extract

1 tsp Salt

-In a large pot, combine sugar, butter, vanilla, and 1 cup of Cashew Milk. Heat on medium until well combined.

-Open the chilled can of coconut milk and scoop out the “cream” which is the portion that has hardened, and add to the pot. Save the liquid portion for other recipes. (Maybe THIS from accidentally wonderful blog)

-In a separate bowl, beat the eggs well.

-Once the milk mixture begins to “steam” but not boil, remove a cup of the hot milk mixture and slowly stream it into the beaten eggs while mixing continuously until you have added about half of the ice cream base to the eggs. This is called tempering the eggs and ensures you won’t have scrambled eggs in your ice cream.

-Add the tempered egg mixture to the pot and cook on medium-low heat for about five minutes. Remove from heat and pour into a large container.

-Add remaining Cashew Milk and stir. Refrigerate overnight (or at least until cool) and then pour into your ice cream maker. *Make sure to follow the operation instructions on the ice cream maker. Most of them have a base that needs to freeze overnight before use.**

Trust me, it is not as complicated as it seems. I always keep the tumbler portion of my ice cream maker in the freezer when it is not in use. Then, if I want to whip up a batch the machine is ready.

Toppings I love:

Cookie Dough Quest Bar

Rainbow Jimmies (sprinkles)

Organic Dark Chocolate Sauce

The Only Dairy-Free Ice Cream Recipe You Will Ever Need: Cashew Milk Ice Cream (3)
The Only Dairy-Free Ice Cream Recipe You Will Ever Need: Cashew Milk Ice Cream (2024)

FAQs

Is cashew milk good for ice cream? ›

Not only is this cashew milk ice cream ultra creamy and rich, but it's so incredibly easy to make. I was inspired after trying a pint of So Delicious' cashew milk ice cream, which is absolutely incredible I might add.

What is cashew ice cream made of? ›

As it turns out, finely processed cashew butter acts as a fat and stabilizer when blended with non-dairy milk. When this combination is churned and frozen, you get a rich and creamy frozen treat. Make no mistake — the flavor is decidedly nut-forward, although the maple syrup gives it a caramel sweetness.

What is dairy free ice cream made from? ›

Dairy-less frozen desserts replace milk and cream with alternatives like coconut, soy, oat, cashew, or almond milk. Many other ingredients remain the same between the dairy and dairy-free versions. And, just like dairy ice cream, non-dairy ice cream can vary widely in terms of sugar, fat, and calorie content.

What is a dairy alternative to cashew cream? ›

A can of full-fat coconut milk or coconut cream is a great option. Sunflower seeds are a good option if you don't have cashews or are allergic.

Is cashew cream healthier than dairy cream? ›

Compare this to the nutrition information for our Cashew Cream recipe, and you'll see that cashew cream has fewer calories, total fat, saturated fat and sodium. Going by these numbers, cashew cream is healthier than heavy cream.

Does cashew milk taste like milk? ›

Cashew milk offers a subtle taste with a hint of sweetness. It is often described as having a rich, buttery flavor that can add a luxurious touch to recipes. On the other hand, almond milk has a mild and slightly nuttier taste for a more natural flavor experience.

Does cashew cream taste like cream? ›

Alone, cashew cream has little to no taste but it has the correct texture. And, like dairy cream, it adds a source of fat and richness to the recipes in which it's used. It's also remarkably easy to make.

Does cashew cream freeze? ›

Yes, you can freeze cashew cream! Pour it into a freezer-safe container and store for 4 to 6 months. Defrost in the fridge until thawed (smaller containers defrost quicker). The texture gets a little chunky but the taste is still great.

What is the difference between cashew milk and cashew cream? ›

The only difference is the thickness and that is decided by the ratio of water to cashews.

Is McDonald's ice cream non-dairy? ›

Yes the Ice cream in all McFlurry® desserts does contain milk.

Is Ben and Jerry's non-dairy? ›

Our Non-Dairy flavor creations are made with almond milk, 100% certified vegan, and boldly loaded with chunks and swirls. You'll get Ben & Jerry's euphoria in every bite. These flavors deliver everything… but the cow. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select.

Does anyone make non-dairy ice cream? ›

If you're looking for a satisfying vegan chocolate ice cream without mix-ins, Jeni's Dark Chocolate Truffle Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert is a good, albeit coconutty, choice that is also gluten- and soy-free. Lighter and tamer than the Texas Sheet Cake flavor, it reminded us of a Fudgsicle. Read the full ingredients list.

Is cashew milk ice cream healthy? ›

Absolutely! Vegan cashew milk ice cream is lower in saturated fats, cholesterol-free, and often contains beneficial nutrients from plant-based ingredients.

Which is creamier almond or cashew milk? ›

Cashew milk has a creamier texture than almond milk, making it ideal for recipes like soups and cream sauces, as well as coffee creamers. It also means fewer thickening agents may be used. Additionally, cashew milk has an earthier taste with less nutty notes.

Does cashew milk count as dairy? ›

We love the creamy consistency of cashew milk. Its silky texture makes it perfect for drinking, coffee and cooking -- there are so many ways to use cashew milk every day. Cashew milk is gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan, making it a rich source of nutrients for people with plant-based or restricted diets.

Which milk is best for making ice cream? ›

Don't worry too much if you don't have whole milk or heavy cream. Nearly any milk will work, and you can substitute half-and-half for the cream. Ideally you want ingredients with a high fat content because these will create a creamy texture when cooled.

Can I use cashew milk instead of milk? ›

You can use it to replace animal milk in almost any recipe. If you thought your days of enjoying creamy soups and sauces were over, think again. A swirl of cashew milk added to soups makes them deliciously rich and silky, and you can swap cashew milk for cream to make curries or pasta sauces.

Does cashew milk freeze well? ›

Yes! If you have a surplus of cashew milk that you can't consume within a reasonable time, you can freeze it. Pour it into an airtight container, leaving some room at the top for expansion, as liquids tend to expand when frozen. Label the container with the date and store it in the freezer.

Can you substitute cashew milk for heavy cream? ›

Blend 1 cup of cashews with ¾ cup of water in a high-speed blender until super smooth, and voilà: You're left with a versatile heavy cream substitute that complements countless dishes.

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