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Forkin
Dessert

Creamy Vegan Vanilla Ice Cream

This rich and creamy vegan vanilla ice cream is made with a base of full-fat coconut milk and cashews, providing a luxurious texture without any dairy. It's a delightful treat that's surprisingly easy to make at home with an ice cream maker.

An original recipe by Forkin

Total time
4 hr 20 min
Serves
4
Difficulty
Medium
Per serving
478 kcal

Allergen information: may contain nuts and tree nuts. Always check ingredient packaging if you have an allergy.

Creamy Vegan Vanilla Ice Cream

Mise en place

Ingredients

  • 120 gcashew, raw, unsalted
  • 400 mlfull-fat coconut milk, canned, chilled overnight
  • 120 mlmaple syrup
  • 1 tbspvanilla extract
  • 1 pinchsalt

Equipment

high-speed blender · freezer-safe container · ice cream maker

The method

Step by step

  1. 1

    Place the cashews in a small bowl and cover them with boiling water. Let them soak for at least 15 minutes, or up to 30 minutes, to soften.

    About 15 min

    Cook’s note: Soaking helps the cashews blend into a super smooth, creamy base.

  2. 2

    Drain the softened cashews and transfer them to a high-speed blender.

    About 1 min

  3. 3

    Open the chilled can of full-fat coconut milk. Scoop out only the thick cream from the top, leaving any clear liquid behind, and add it to the blender.

    About 2 min

    Cook’s note: Chilling the coconut milk helps separate the cream from the liquid, which is essential for a rich ice cream texture.

  4. 4

    Add the maple syrup, vanilla extract, and salt to the blender with the cashews and coconut cream.

    About 1 min

  5. 5

    Blend on high speed until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the blender as needed.

    About 3 min

    Cook’s note: Ensure there are no cashew pieces left for the best texture.

  6. 6

    Taste the mixture and adjust sweetness or vanilla if desired.

    About 1 min

  7. 7

    Pour the mixture into the frozen bowl of your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer's instructions, typically 20-30 minutes, until it reaches a soft-serve consistency.

    About 25 min

    Cook’s note: Make sure your ice cream maker bowl is thoroughly frozen (usually 24 hours in advance).

  8. 8

    Transfer the soft ice cream to an airtight freezer-safe container. Press a piece of parchment paper directly onto the surface to prevent ice crystals from forming.

    About 2 min

  9. 9

    Freeze for at least 4 hours, or until firm, before serving.

    About 4 hr

    Cook’s note: For best scooping, let it sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Per serving

Nutrition

49%Score
Calories
478.2kcal
Protein
7.6g
Carbs
39.4g
Fat
34.2g
Fibre
0.9g
Sugar
28.4g

Estimated from the recipe’s ingredient quantities. Values can vary with brands and substitutions.

Keep it good

Storage

Store the ice cream in an airtight container in the freezer.