• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Loving It Vegan

  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Cookbook

Vegan Vanilla Ice Cream

Scoops of vegan vanilla ice cream topped with golden oreo sprinkles in glass bowls.

Really good vegan ice cream can be hard to find. Apparently.

I didn’t think this was so, but then I’m not the most fussy sort when it comes to ice cream. I’m one of those who thinks frozen bananas processed in the food processor until creamy is super delish (and I’m not wrong, check out this 2-ingredient peanut butter banana ice cream).

And when I found some rice milk ice cream at the organic store I was delighted and thought it was fab, that is, until my sister had some and declared it tasted like sorbet. And she didn’t mean this in a complimentary way.

So I set out to make a vegan vanilla ice cream that would taste every bit as amazing as the creamiest of creamy ice creams in the world! And so the experiment began.

Vegan vanilla ice cream in a blue ceramic loaf pan.

The first batch I made I just blended the ingredients together, and then churned them up in the ice cream maker.

Hmmm. Not bad, but the texture just wasn’t right.

And my inquiring mind was wondering – should I heat the mix up first? If so WHY? Why do some recipes heat up the ingredients first?

So I researched online and came across a great article explaining the why of it all. Why you should heat up the ingredients first (you want to homogenize the fats so they don’t create a grainy texture). And why so many vegan ice creams can end up tasting like sorbet (they use plant milks that are not fatty enough – rice milk or soy milks just don’t have enough fat).

So using a mix of canned coconut milk (full fat version) and canned coconut cream is the best solution.

So I tried again – and this time I also used some coconut oil in the batch. This was pretty good but there was a slight fatty aftertaste that I didn’t love.

So I tried it again – without any coconut oil, and bingo – nailed it.

Vegan vanilla ice cream in a blue ceramic loaf pan with an ice cream scoop.

How to make the best vegan vanilla ice cream

Making this vegan vanilla ice cream is really straightforward.

You heat your ingredients to a simmer, and then blend for 30 seconds, this removes all graininess from your mix.

Then you let the mixture cool down (ideally overnight in the refrigerator, but in a push you can cool it for a couple of hours in the freezer), then churn it in the ice cream maker until it reaches soft serve consistency.

Then you transfer it to a loaf pan, cover with foil and allow it to set in the freezer.

Vegan vanilla ice cream in a blue ceramic loaf pan with an ice cream scoop.

This vegan vanilla ice cream is smooth and rich with melt-in-the-mouth creaminess and has a perfect ice cream mouthfeel. You will not be calling this a sorbet that’s for sure!

And what I love is that you can take this basic recipe and flavor it all different kinds of ways. Instead of adding vanilla flavor you could add cocoa for chocolate flavor, you can add nuts or chocolate chips or anything you like!

Vegan vanilla ice cream topped with golden oreo sprinkles in glass bowls.

To oreo or not to oreo

I decided to go with some Golden Oreos for sprinkles, as they’re basically vanilla flavored, so it works well to pair these together. But this is of course completely optional. If you prefer it plain or don’t like oreos, leave them out. 

This ice cream is most delicious eaten fresh, within a few days, though of course it keeps in the freezer – it’s ice cream after all. But even with the most creamy smooth ice cream, if it sits in the freezer too long, some ice crystals can enter the mix and that makes it not quite as delicious as time goes on. 

Vegan vanilla ice cream topped with golden oreo sprinkles in a glass bowl with a spoon.

You will love this vegan vanilla ice cream!

  • It’s creamy
  • Smooth
  • Melt-in-the-mouth
  • Rich
  • Simple

Enjoy it plain or with oreo sprinkles or nuts or a drizzle of vegan caramel sauce. 

It’s also totally divine to serve this vegan vanilla ice cream with some vegan apple cake or with a slice of vegan apple crisp! 

Vegan vanilla ice cream topped with golden oreo sprinkles in glass bowls. Vegan vanilla ice cream topped with golden oreo sprinkles in a glass bowl with a spoon.

How about some more delicious vegan ice cream recipes?

We’ve done a heap of flavors! Here’s a few you’ll love:

  1. Vegan Chocolate Ice Cream
  2. Vegan Peanut Butter Ice Cream
  3. Vegan Mango Ice Cream
  4. Vegan Pumpkin Ice Cream
  5. Vegan Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
  6. Vegan Salted Caramel Ice Cream

Leave a comment below if you have any questions about this recipe and please rate the recipe too, it’s super helpful. Thanks.

Sign up to our email list before you go, you’ll get an awesome (and free!) recipe ebook containing 10 delicious vegan dinner recipes and you’ll be the first to know when new recipes are posted to the blog. 

Vegan vanilla ice cream topped with golden oreo sprinkles.

Print

Vegan Vanilla Ice Cream


★★★★★

5 from 2 reviews

  • Author: Loving It Vegan
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 40 mins
  • Total Time: 55 mins
  • Yield: 8
  • Category: Dessert, Gluten-Free
  • Cuisine: Vegan, Gluten-Free
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Description

Ultra creamy vegan vanilla ice cream. So easy to make with the most perfectly smooth, rich, melt-in-the-mouth ice cream texture.


Ingredients

  • 1 14oz (400ml) Can Coconut Milk
  • 1 14oz (400ml) Can Coconut Cream
  • 1/2 cup (100g) White Sugar
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) Golden Syrup or Maple Syrup
  • 1/2 tsp Vanilla Powder*
  • 2 tsp Vanilla Extract
  • Golden Oreo Cookies (Optional)

Instructions

  1. The day before, place the freezer bowl of your ice cream maker into the freezer to freeze properly.
  2. Next, place all the ingredients (except for the vanilla) into a pot and bring to a simmer – stirring all the while.
  3. As soon as it reaches a simmer, remove from heat, add the vanilla extract and vanilla powder and using an immersion (handheld) blender, blend for 30 seconds. You can also transfer to a blender jug and blend it in that – just ensure the lid is on very firmly.
  4. Pour the mixture into a container, cover and chill in the refrigerator overnight.
  5. The next day, pour the chilled mixture into your ice cream maker and churn as per the ice cream makers instructions. Can be 20-40 minutes.
  6. When it reaches soft serve consistency, move to a loaf pan or other freezer safe container, smooth down with a spoon, cover and place into the freezer for a few hours to set.
  7. When you’re ready to serve, place Oreo cookies into the food processor (around 2 cookies per person) and process into a fine crumble.
  8. Sprinkle this over the ice cream and top with half a cookie.
  9. Will keep in the freezer but best when fresh. Scoop with a hot scoop (dipped in hot water) to allow for easier serving.

Notes

*Vanilla powder is totally optional here, I used it to create extra vanilla flavor, but if you don’t have it on hand you can easily omit this.

*Inspired by Serious Eats.

*Nutrition estimate is for a 1/2 cup serving without Oreo sprinkles.

*Prep time does not include chilling the mixture or time spent setting in the freezer.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/2 cup
  • Calories: 287
  • Sugar: 15.4g
  • Sodium: 13mg
  • Fat: 21.6g
  • Saturated Fat: 9.4g
  • Carbohydrates: 23g
  • Protein: 2g

Keywords: vegan vanilla ice cream

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @lovingitvegan on Instagram and hashtag it #lovingitvegan

Vanilla Coconut Ice Cream with Golden Oreo Sprinkle #vegan #lovingitvegan #dairyfree #glutenfree #icecream #dessert
Get Your Copy! It's FREE!

You might also like

  • The Most Decadent Vegan Chocolate Ice CreamThe Most Decadent Vegan Chocolate Ice Cream
  • Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream – 2 Ingredients!Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream – 2 Ingredients!
  • Vegan Pumpkin Ice CreamVegan Pumpkin Ice Cream
  • Vegan Peanut Butter Ice Cream (Ultra Creamy)!Vegan Peanut Butter Ice Cream (Ultra Creamy)!
  • Vegan Cookies and Cream Ice Cream – No ChurnVegan Cookies and Cream Ice Cream – No Churn
  • Vegan Coconut Ice CreamVegan Coconut Ice Cream
Ultra creamy vegan vanilla ice cream. So easy to make with the most perfectly smooth, rich, melt-in-the-mouth ice cream texture. | lovingitvegan.com
Share
Tweet
Pin
1K Shares

About the Author

Hi I'm Alison! I'm a passionate vegan foodie, recipe creator and author of Simple Vegan Dinner Recipes, a digital program created so that you always know the answer to: 'What's For Dinner?' I believe in delicious vegan food and creating vegan versions of all your old favorites, so that youโ€™ll never feel like youโ€™re missing out.

Simple Vegan Dinner Recipes Banner
Loving It Vegan is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This site may contain some of these links to Amazon.com. If you make a purchase through one of those links, Loving It Vegan will receive a small commission from the purchase at no additional cost to you.
Previous Post: « Apple Carrot Celery and Kale Juice
Next Post: Baked Tofu and Vegetable Casserole with Quinoa »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Miss Vicki says

    February 19, 2016 at 5:26 am

    Heating it must be the key to a creamy consistency.
    I’ve been playing with frozen desserts, too.
    There is nothing in the stores that I particularly like.
    So far, bananas, dutch chocolate, coconut milk, and Califa Almond/Coconut has been acceptable.
    I hate to admit that I often add ‘processed coffee creamer’ to a simple chocolate iced dessert.
    Peppermint Mocha…yes, it is processed but it is one of my simple pleasures.
    I will try your recipe next.
    Also, I’ve been considering adding frozen dark bing cherries to the chocolate and a touch of almond flavoring.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Alison Andrews says

      February 19, 2016 at 5:40 am

      Hi! Yes, I think heating it is the nb part. Though I have noticed that when recipes use cashews in the basic ice cream, they don’t have to heat it. This is something I’m going to experiment on next. ๐Ÿ™‚ Mmmm cherries and almond flavor with chocolate sounds divine!

      Reply
  2. Karen says

    February 25, 2016 at 1:11 am

    Heavenly ice cream! And thank goodness for Orris ๐Ÿ™‚

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Alison Andrews says

      February 25, 2016 at 6:09 am

      Hahahaa Karen, your phones autocorrect has thrown up a good one there which has given me a good laugh. Yes indeed, love the Orris ๐Ÿ™‚ ๐Ÿ™‚ And so glad you enjoyed the ice cream! xxx

      Reply
  3. Melissa Lawrence says

    March 16, 2016 at 4:02 am

    This looks amazing! What if I don’t have vanilla powder???

    Reply
    • Alison Andrews says

      March 16, 2016 at 6:40 am

      You could just stick with vanilla extract in that case. It will still be perfect.

      Reply
  4. Christine says

    April 26, 2018 at 4:30 am

    Iโ€™d like to try this recipe, but not sure what golden syrup is and where vanilla powder can be found.

    Reply
    • Alison Andrews says

      April 26, 2018 at 12:24 pm

      Hi Christine, I updated the recipe card with some links to the vanilla powder and the golden syrup. You can definitely switch out the golden syrup for maple syrup or some other syrup though if you prefer. All the best!

      Reply

Comment Policy: Your feedback is really appreciated! Please do us a favor and rate the recipe as well as this really helps us! The most helpful comments are the ones that give useful feedback for others who might make the recipe, tell about substitutions you made or adjustments you made and how it turned out, or assisting other commenters. Rude or insulting comments will not be accepted.

Leave A Comment & Review Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

Primary Sidebar

Hi! I'm Alison! Vegan foodie. Binge watcher of good TV shows. Cat mom. Sweet tooth. Terrible sleeper always staying up too late....

About Me โ†’

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

POPULAR POSTS

Wholewheat Bread

Copyright 2019 - Loving It Vegan - Contact - Media Kit - Privacy Policy and Disclaimer - Terms and Conditions

Get 10 fabulous dinner recipes!
Absolutely free! Sign up below!
Get Your Copy! It's FREE!