Vanilla Bean Ice Cream {AIP, Dairy-Free, Egg Free}

scoops of dairy free vanilla bean ice cream

Vanilla Bean Ice Cream {AIP, Dairy-Free, Egg Free}

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Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 2

Freeze Time: 4

Total Time: 4 7

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 2

Freeze Time: 4

Total Time: 4 7

Servings: servings

Calories: 119kcal

This is my favorite dairy-free ice cream base recipe. While you don't strictly need the vanilla bean to make this, I highly recommend you try it. Nothing compares to the aroma of a freshly split vanilla bean.

Yield: 2 cups (4 scoops)

Ingredients

▢ 1 14 ounce can coconut milk
▢ 6 tablespoons maple syrup
▢ 2 tablespoons honey
▢ 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
▢ ½ vanilla bean split lengthwise, seeds scraped
▢ pinch sea salt

Instructions

Bring to a boil

In a small pot, combine the entire can of coconut milk, maple syrup, honey, vanilla extract, half vanilla bean (pod and seeds), and salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, then immediately turn the heat off and whisk for 1 minute. Remove from the heat and set the pot inside of a large bowl with ice (an ice bath) to cool the mixture. Note: The mixture must be cool before the next step.

Churn until creamy and somewhat firm

Remove the vanilla bean pod then pour the cold mixture into your ice cream machine (follow instructions of your machine). Churn until you see it thicken, about 10 minutes. Set plastic wrap directly over the ice cream and freeze for a minimum of 4 hours. After 4 hours, you can see if it is cold enough to try scooping.

Notes

Chef's Notes:

Spices - This recipe has been tested with spice add-ins. When adding a spice, such as cinnamon, aim for ½ teaspoon. Add during step 1.
Coconut milk - Multiple brands have been tested with this recipe and all should work. Be sure to only use full fat. Lite coconut milk does not have enough fat for making ice cream.
Sweeteners - I've tried reducing the sugar content of this recipe and have never liked the texture. The amount of sweetener in this recipe is the precise amount needed to achieve a creamy texture. I like the way maple and honey work together to add depth of flavor.
Vanilla extract - The small amount of alcohol in vanilla extract is important to minimizing the ice crystals that typically form in ice cream. If you are avoiding all alcohol on the AIP diet, you may leave this ingredient out, but you should expect some ice crystals to form.
Add-ins - If you want to try adding fruit or chocolate, the best time to do this is to add directly to the ice cream as it is thickening and churning. Note that the fruit must be very dry or you will be introducing water, which will turn to ice crystals.

Nutrition