This paleo ice cream doesn’t taste at all like coconut, has a strong vanilla flavor, with hints of caramel from dates, maple syrup and cashews. It’s no-churn – all you do is blend and freeze! It’s also vegan and dairy-free.
I’ve never really loved any paleo vanilla ice cream – until this one!
The recipes I’ve tried were too icy and not flavorful enough for me. And they had way too much coconut flavor.
I don’t want coconut-flavored vanilla ice cream, so I added cashews. And dates. And maple syrup. All that goodness kills off the coconut flavor.
It still doesn’t taste exactly like traditional vanilla ice cream. But it’s still incredibly delicious.
I sent this recipe to a reader, Holly, last year. She had asked if I had a good vanilla ice cream recipe the previous year or maybe even before that, and so I sent her the recipe as soon as I had it. When I finally posted it a year later, she said, “Thanks to you I’ve been making this ice cream on regular rotation for my family. This is waaaay better than anything I’ve ever bought or made by far. So rich and creamy and tastes like pure vanilla ecstasy!”
So there you have it. From someone who isn’t me. ;) It really is good stuff!
High-speed blender vs. food processor
To make it, you don’t need an ice cream maker, but you do need a high-speed blender. It might work in a food processor, but I’m not sure you could get the cashews 100% obliterated.
I think if you soak the cashews and the dates, it’d probably work if your food processor bowl isn’t huge.
Can I use an ice cream maker?
I tried it out with one and there was no difference between the no-churn and churn versions.
Needs to defrost after freezing
The one downside of this recipe is that it’s too hard to scoop from the freezer. A real bummer, but it’s so tasty I had to share it, anyway.
My Vegan Gelato also uses dates and coconut milk and is so silky smooth, and you can scoop it from the freezer.
The chocolate recipe doesn’t have cashews like today’s recipe but does have dates, so that seems to be the difference.
But the taste without the cashews in this paleo ice cream wasn’t nearly as good. So we’ll just have to live with defrosting the ice cream. It’s worth the trouble. ;)
Super rich vs. regular versions
One version, which is what you see in the photos, calls for 1 full can of full-fat coconut milk plus an extra 3/4 cup of coconut cream. That’s what I got from 1 can of full-fat coconut milk that I had chilled overnight.
The ice cream is actually creamier than what you see in the photos. Instead of just scooping soft ice cream into a bowl or ice cream cone and then taking photos, photographers freeze individual scoops of ice cream until hardened. That gives them more time to take their photos before it starts to melt.
The photographer was pretty quick with the photos, which is why the scoops look so frozen and hard.
But this version is a little icy. I don’t like having any iciness at all in my ice cream, so my preferred version omits all the water in the can of coconut milk. And reduces the maple syrup amount by 4 teaspoons.
That makes the second version pretty much just sugar and fat (healthy fat, though!), but in my opinion, it’s so, so much better.
However, I know not everyone likes super-rich ice cream when it’s insanely hot and you already feel blah, so both versions are in the recipe box below.
If you make the rich version, try some after blending. If it’s too over-the-top for you, simply add part of the remaining coconut water that’s in your can of coconut milk. And if you used canned coconut cream and not a can of coconut milk, meaning you don’t have leftover coconut water, you can add up to 1 cup (240 ml) of water or paleo milk.
And if you do love rich ice cream, you should really try my Healthy Peanut Butter Ice Cream. I always make it with sunflower seed butter for a paleo version!
There’s also a paleo version listed in my Black Ice Cream recipe, but that recipe yields ice cream that’s a bit lighter than the peanut butter one.
Can I make it keto?
It’s not possible due to the dates, which can’t be subbed or omitted. They’re essential not just for the flavor but also for the texture of the ice cream.
Can I use something other than coconut milk/cream?
No, because nothing else is as thick as coconut milk/cream. Please don’t attempt this with another type of milk.
“Sprinkles aren’t paleo!”I know. I was originally going to call this vegan ice cream, and the photographer added some sprinkles.
If you’re paleo, there aren’t any paleo sprinkles you can buy, but you can make your own homemade paleo sprinkles.
If you’re vegan but not paleo, make sure your sprinkles are vegan!
I hope you’ll enjoy this paleo ice cream! I’d love to hear what you think if you try it out. Thanks! :)
Paleo Ice Cream
- Prep Time:
- Cook Time:
- Ready in:
- Yield: 4 cups or about 3 cups if just using cream
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup (170 grams) coconut cream 1
- 1 1/4 cups (166 grams) raw cashews2
- 1/2 cup (80 grams) pitted dates
- 1/4 to 1/3 cup (80 to 107 grams) maple syrup
- 1 1/2 tablespoons vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste or the seeds of 1 1/2 vanilla beans
- 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
- one 14-oz (400-ml) can full-fat coconut milk OR another 3/4 cup (170 grams) coconut cream for a much richer version
Directions
- If your dates are dry and hard, you can soak them with the cashews. To soak the cashews, put them in a little pot and pour boiling water over them; let sit 5 minutes and rinse.
- To a high-speed blender, add 3/4 cup coconut cream, cashews, dates, 1/4 cup maple syrup, vanilla and salt. If you find it hard to blend, you can add a little of the coconut milk, but if you add it all at once, it'll take a lot longer to completely blend the dates.
- Blend on high until totally combined and no chunks of dates remain. This took me about 30 seconds.
- Add the can of coconut milk or the additional coconut cream and blend for about a minute. If you used the full can of coconut milk (rather than just the additional 3/4 cup cream), add another 4 teaspoons of maple syrup. If you made the richer all coconut cream version, taste and if it's too rich for you, blend in coconut water, regular water or paleo milk (like unsweetened cashew milk) until it's your desired richness.
- Pour into a freezer-safe container and freeze for about 4-8 hours (it depends on how thick the layer of ice cream is, the thickness of your container, your freezer temp, etc.)
- Let thaw about 10-15 minutes before scooping.
- Can be kept frozen for up to 3 months.
Notes
- I put a can of full-fat coconut milk in the fridge overnight and got ¾ cup of coconut cream from that. You can use canned coconut cream if you want, but it should be very thick. Drain any liquid in the can. Make sure to use coconut milk/cream that doesn't have any stabilizers or weird stuff. That could prevent the coconut cream from rising to the top of the can.
- Roasted and salted cashew also work, but then the ice cream has more cashew flavor. Omit the salt from the recipe and then add to taste.
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34 comments on “Paleo Ice Cream” — Add one!
This is such a great recipe, everyone I have served it to can’t believe there isn’t any dairy in it. Do you have any suggestions if I wanted to turn this into a chocolate ice cream recipe? Would I add powdered cocoa? If so, what would your suggestion be? I’ve been a big fan of your for years, thank for all you have given us!!
Hi Linda! I’m so terribly sorry for just now seeing your nice comment. We had a (nightmare) guest arriving when it came in, and they stayed for a week, and I must have somehow overlooked it.
I’m so glad that you like the ice cream! If you added cocoa powder, you’d need to add some sweetener. I’m not sure how much of either you’d need or if it’d throw off the texture. But did you see the vegan gelato I linked to in the post? It’s also paleo and SUPER rich! I haven’t experimented with a chocolate version of this vanilla recipe because I don’t think there’s any way it could be better than the chocolate one I’ve already posted. My apologies again and thank you so much for reading and being a fan for years! I so appreciate it. :)
I took a chance and added 1/4 cup of cocoa, and it was a perfect chocolate version! I did not add any additional sweetener, just the original amount of maple syrup in your recipe. I love this recipe so much, I’m about to have another serving in a few minutes!
This ice cream is delicious! Even my children who dislike all things coconut, really liked this ice cream! We will be making it again soon, I need to get more coconut cream. Thank you for such a wonderful recipe and healthy alternative! This is a delicious and easy to make treat.
I am about to make my 4th batch of this ice cream! It is so delicious and so easy to make! I saw the recipe at the same time the figs were ripening, chopped figs and this ice cream is a perfect way to end a day!!
Gosh, I missed this one, too. 🤦♀️ So sorry. They were in spam for some odd reason. I’m so glad that you’ve been enjoying the ice cream! Thanks a ton for your feedback. Figs are a yummy idea!
Just made this ice cream, and I’m thrilled with how it turned out! It’s a keeper for sure. Finally, a paleo vanilla ice cream that hits all the right notes without overwhelming coconut flavor. Love it! 🍦
I’m so glad that it came out well! And I totally agree with you on the coconut thing. ;) Thanks so much for taking the time to leave some feedback. :)
I’ve been told I need to cut out dairy and this ice cream recipe made me so happy! It came out creamy and flavorful – a perfect dairy-free substitute for me!!
Yay! That’s so great to hear. I’m glad that it came out well! Thanks for letting me know and good luck on your dairy-free journey. :)
This was delicious! I used coconut cream and blended it on the frozen dessert setting in my cooking blender. Came out perfect!
That’s wonderful! I’m so happy to hear that it worked out well for you. Thanks for your feedback! :)
Just perfect! Creamy and not coconutty, those cashews really do the trick. And easy too :)
I agree! Cashews can do amazing things. :) Thanks for your feedback!
I like this ice cream more rather than the bought one. I might just make it every weekend!
Sounds like a good idea. ;) I’m so happy that you enjoyed it! Thanks for your comment. :)
Loved this ice cream! I don’t have an ice cream maker so I love that this one was super creamy and delicious without one! Maple syrup has always been my favorite sweetener.
Same with me and maple syrup! And I’m so glad that you enjoyed the ice cream. :) Thanks for your comment!
This ice cream recipe was absolutely delicious and very tasty! A perfect treat on my end as we experiencing very hot weather. Thanks for sharing this with us! Loved it!
That’s so nice to hear! Thanks for your feedback. :) I’m glad it could help out during these hot days!
First time making paleo ice cream and my ice cream loving kids really had no idea. They loved the flavor and ask for it everyday!
Haha. That’s great to hear! I’m so glad that you and your kids liked it. :) Thanks for your comment!
I don’t follow a paleo diet, but wanted to try this paleo ice cream just because. It could easily replace my conventional ice cream as good and tasty as it is.
That’s great you tried it, anyway! I’m thrilled that you still enjoyed it. :) Thanks for your feedback!
I am curious to try this paleo ice-cream as it looks so good and creamy and easy to make.
I hope that you’ll like it! :)
I’m super impressed with this paleo ice cream! I didn’t even know paleo ice cream existed until now! Sounds delicious and looks so creamy :D
It really is! I hope you’ll get a chance to try it out. :)
I’ve never made a paleo ice cream before but this sounds so tasty and your great tips make it seem so approachable, I’m definitely going to have to give it a try!
I hope that you’ll enjoy it! :)
Erin, thanks to you I’ve been making this ice cream on regular rotation for my family. this is waaaay better than anything I’ve ever bought or made by far. So rich and creamy and tastes like pure vanilla Ecstasy! Your recipes are perfection 💓
Aww, thanks! I’m so glad you’ve been enjoying it! :) Is it really rich enough for you with the whole can of coconut milk? If not, try omitting part or all of the coconut water next time. This is my preferred method now! I hadn’t tried that when I sent you the recipe last year. May I please add your review to the post? I don’t think the photos do the ice cream justice, but your review does. :) Thanks a ton for leaving it!
I always use all coconut cream (no coconut water) in ice cream recipes lol.
Isn’t this review already in the post? If not definitely use it however you need to ;)
Have a beautiful day!
Oh, really? Haha. You really do love everything very rich. Same here! And yes, your review was at the bottom of the post where all the comments are, but I added it into the post as well. 😆 You’re more convincing than I am. I wish the pictures did this ice cream justice! Thanks again and have a lovely weekend. :)