7 Expert Tips for Making Vegan Ice Cream

Sizzling summer temperatures just beg for an ice cream scoop or two to cool down an otherwise blistering day. Yes, you could buy your own vegan pints, but what about when you’re craving something beyond cookies ‘n’ cream in Ben & Jerry’s territory? Perhaps you’re craving a s’mores ice cream, filled with vegan marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate chips swirled into a toasted marshmallow almond-milk ice cream. For essential tips on creating your own frozen indulgences, we turn to Hannah Kaminsky, the wunderkind behind the cookbook, Vegan à la Mode. She concocts flavors that you'll wish you’d dreamed up first (Thai Iced Tea Ice Cream, we’re looking at you). Kaminsky shares her best tricks for making quality homemade creations and even how to make your dessert sans ice cream maker.

1. Use the right non-dairy milk as your base.
Kaminsky says that you’ll get the best results from dairy-free counterparts that are higher in fat such as canned coconut milk. She typically uses almond milk as her base, but other non-dairy milks can work (steer clear of rice milk because it tends to be too watery).

2. You can make ice cream without an ice cream maker.
Not ready to splurge on a gadget to do the churning for you? Kaminsky shares, “Pour the base out into a rectangle baking dish and place the dish on a level surface in your freezer. Wait 45 minutes or so, and then using a fork scrape up the ice crystals forming around the edges. Put the dish back into the freezer, wait 30 minutes, and scrape again. Repeat until the entire mixture is frozen.” While this technique will result in a less smooth texture than what you may be used to, a great non-dairy base will still give you a dreamy rich taste.

3. If you want to invest in an ice cream maker, try these options.
Though Kaminsky used a pricier model to test out more than 100 recipes for her cookbook, she highly recommends the Cuisinart ICE-21, which she used for years until dropping it one too many times. If you own a KitchenAid Mixer, you can buy an ice cream maker attachment. More affordable options include Hamilton Beach and Nostalgic Electric, which offer $40-and-under models, or the Play and Freeze Ice Cream Maker that literally turns ice cream making into a game; you roll it around and 10 minutes later, your ice cream is ready. Plus, after all that hard work, you deserve a scoop.

4. Carefully add in your mix-ins.
Now this is when you can get crazy and be the master of innovative ice cream. Instead of tossing vegan chocolate chips into your mixer (which will result in all the chips settling at the bottom of your cherry vanilla chip), Kaminsky suggests adding your goodies in layers. “I like to put down a scoop or two of ice cream, a handful of mix-ins, another two scoops of ice cream, and then more mix-ins until everything is in the container. With a wide spatula, gently fold the mixture, stirring from the bottom to top. This helps distribute things pretty evenly. There will always be pockets with more goodies than others, but finding them is half of the fun!”

5. Get boozy.
Adding a little hooch can give ice cream the perfect flavor boost. In Kaminsky’s Horchata Ice Cream recipe, she adds a touch of dark rum to play up the rich vanilla and almond flavors in the base. Her other flavor suggestions are happy hour-ready such as pairing Kahlua with chocolate flavors, citrusy liqueurs Limoncello or Grand Marnier with fruit-based ice cream, and bourbon with anything vanilla. A word of warning: don’t get too boozy because the more you add, the softer your ice cream will turn out. If you want your pint alcohol-free, Kaminksy recommends substituting a similar flavor extract and adding non-dairy milk to replace the amount of alcohol called for in the recipe.

6. Get inspiration from other ice cream recipes.
You’ve found the perfect ice cream recipe online, but it’s not vegan. Instead of trying to replace the eggs, take the flavor profiles and play with them. Kaminsky says, “Any flavor can be created anew as a vegan recipe, so take inspiration from other recipes. When all else fails, add your own twist to a solid vanilla base.”

7. Give yourself time.
Kaminsky shares her secret to the perfect sweet treat: “The best frozen desserts can’t be rushed.” Making your own amazing vegan ice creams take a little elbow grease. First, you’ll need to freeze the ice cream maker bowl overnight. Next, you cook the base and let it cool completely before chilling in the refrigerator for several hours. Then, you’re ready to churn your desired flavor in an ice cream maker (or by hand) and freeze your treat at least three to four hours before downing the delicious quart you’ve just made.

Now that you’ve gotten the basics, it’s time to turn your kitchen into your very own ice cream shop and churn out your own flavors and toppings. 

Ice Cream
Banana Ice Cream
Coffee Chip Frozen Yogurt
Hot Chocolate Ice Cream
Oatmeal Raisin Ice Cream Sandwiches
Peanut Butter Frozen Yogurt
Pumpkin Spice Frozen Yogurt
Strawberry Ice Cream
Vanilla Ice Cream

Toppings
Chocolate Ganache Glaze
Coconut Whipped Cream
Mexican Hot Chocolate Syrup
Pineapple Sauce
Rum-Caramel Sauce

Photo: Garrison McArthur Photographers