Hi there and welcome to summer! Is it time for dessert yet? I hope so because I’m sharing this Strawberry & Vanilla Bean “Nice” Cream and it’s starting to melt already!
Okay, so I suppose you want to know how I made my vegan ice cream, right? You ideally need an ice cream maker, I use the Cuisinart version (here’s a similar one from Amazon) that I got at my bridal shower nearly 20 years ago <—-(wow, am I really that old?).
There are many ways to make a vegan ice cream base, but my favorite is using a can of coconut milk blended with with whatever sweetener and flavor you want. I also use unsweetened soy milk for the creaminess.
Here’s the recipe for this incredible Strawberry & Vanilla Bean version, I hope you enjoy it!
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Strawberry & Vanilla Bean “Nice” Cream
Prep Time: 15 minutes- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 8
Category: Dessert
Method: Ice cream maker, Blender
Cuisine: Vegan, dairy-free, healthy
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeIngredients
- 2 cups unsweetened soy milk
- 1 1/2 cups pitted Medjool dates
- 1 pint fresh or frozen strawberries (about 10 medium berries)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 vanilla bean
Instructions
- Place soy milk in the refrigerator until chilled thoroughly.
- Combine soy milk, dates, strawberries, vanilla extract, and the seeds of the vanilla bean in a high-speed blender and process until smooth.
- Pour the mixture into the base of an ice cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Ideally, you would freeze this an additional 1-2 hours after it’s done in the ice cream maker so it gets really firm. Then, about 30 minutes before serving, take it out of the freezer so it is then scoop-able.
This is a dairy-free, vegan ice cream that will please everyone! The perfect treat for summer.
Enough talking, let’s eat!!!
Note: I only tested this recipe using soy milk, but you could definitely try it using almond milk, instead. Here’s the link to an updated recipe I made using almond milk as the base.
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Hi Carrie!
I would love to have some of your vegan strawberry vanilla bean “nice” cream! I love that name! Which brand do you use for the coconut milk? Is it okay to use So Delicious Dairy-Free coconut milk?
Happy Virtual Vegan Potluck 3.0 Day x
♡ rika, vegan miam
http://www.veganmiam.com
★ we travel + eat vegan blog ★
Thanks, Rika! I looooooove your blog. I use the Nature’s Forest organic coconut milk; you can use any brand, just make sure to use the full-fat version to get the right consistency. 🙂
The kind of coconut milk that So Delicious Dairy-Free Coconut Milk is is NOT the right kind. That is coconut milk beverage, which is suitable for replacing dairy milk in any recipe or dish. What you want is a CAN of coconut milk, not the excellent coconut milk beverage. It’s not the same thing at all! 🙂
Yes!!! Very astute comment, Melissa. I didn’t realize that some people might confuse coconut milk as a beverage with a can of coconut milk which is entirely different. I will make note of this in the recipe. Thank you!
Mmmm, this sounds delicious! I don’t have an ice cream maker so I might have to add this to my kitchen appliance “want” list.
Thanks! I fully admit to being a bit of a “kitchen-appliance hoarder,” but an ice cream maker is worth its weight in gold. 🙂
This is brilliant! Just as were coming in to summer, healthy ‘n’ice cream is just what I need!
Thanks, Poppy! Enjoy! 🙂
I love strawberry, vanilla bean, and heck, I loves ice cream. Everything I love all rolled into one. I definitely will have to try this.
Thanks, Joshua, and enjoy! 🙂
Carrie, the color is lovely and the ingredients don’t scare me ;-)! Would love to scoop some up right now. Thank you for participating in the Potluck – hope to see you at November’s event!
Thanks for creating and organizing such a fabulous event, Annie!
What a great potluck recipe! It has been pretty hot here, this nice cream sure would hit the spot =)
I thought I was going to have to send my ice cream maker into early retirement. It’s good to know there’s options!
Oh yeah, keep that sucker around, vegan ice cream is the bomb! 🙂
So simple and delicious, what a wonderful dish!
Happy potluck 🙂
I have loved ice cream all my life, I’m so happy to be able to make a vegan one! I usually make nice cream with frozen bananas, that way I put it in the food processor and can eat it right away! Will make yours, Carrie, on a special occasion like my daughter’s birthday, I’m sure she will love it, since coconut ice cream is her favorite!
Thanks for the comment, Oly! I think the coconut ice cream would be a wonderful special treat for your daughter’s birthday. Hugs!!!
And this is why I need to re-invest in an ice cream maker! This would amazing!
This is great Carrie! I might just have to get a nice cream maker now! Looks really yummy and not complicated. Right up my alley.
I have been thinking of making a few purchases to add to my kitchen and was wondering what your favorites are: pressure cooker; toaster oven; and good chef’s knife. Any ideas or thoughts would be appreciated.
Happy Mother’s Day!
Hi Patty! That’s great you’re thinking of expanding your kitchen appliances. I don’t use a toaster oven, but I can recommend either the Cuisinart pressure cooker (electric, about $60) or the B/R/K stovetop set (over $150). However, I’d urge you to check out the book by Jill Nussinow called The New Fast Food because she is the pressure cooking expert! As far as a chef’s knife, I think it is more important that it is sharp than the brand. 🙂
Thanks, Carrie! I’m gonna check out those items! It’s always helpful when I know a like-minded freind who likes, or has tried, something. Chat soon!! xo
I adore ice cream (vegan, of course) and coconut milk, so this sounds amazing. My freezer is a huge 4-at. one, so I’d have to make a huge amount. I’ll have to think on that one!
Can’t wait to try this and put my ice cream maker into use. I think I may have used it twice since I got it. Time to right a wrong!
I love that you used dates to sweeten your “nice” cream! Looks delicious! 🙂
mmm this recipes sounds really good, would love to make this!
MMMM! A lovely vegan ice-cream that I make often! I must make your version too! 🙂 Yummm: vegan power!
Oh my, oh my my my, this looks so creamy good! I never missed strawberry ice cream until seeing your pictures. Now if only I can find someone who has an ice cream maker I can commandeer 🙂
Ha ha, thanks Maggie! This ice cream is definitely worth tracking down an ice cream maker to use. 🙂
I will definitely be making some “nice” cream! Glad you participated in VVP – it’s my second one and I just love it! Cheers!
I like your “nice” cream idea. I bet the strawberry/vanilla flavors go nicely with the coconut milk flavor, too! Yum. 🙂
I agree, I really like the idea of calling it nice cream. I am a huge fan of blending bananas and berries together (raspberries being my favourite), but this really looks like it is a richer and more decadent way of doing it. I will definitely have to treat myself to it soon. Thank you.
I also love blended frozen bananas and you are right, this coconut “nice” cream is a real indulgence. 🙂
Thanks for the great recipe… I think Nice Cream is the best term yet. It makes people wonder why regular ice cream isn’t so nice. It also gives us an alternative to the awkward “frozen dessert” mouthful my spouse and I have been dealing with for the last ten vegan years!
I have a soy allergy. Do you think I can use unsweetened almond milk instead of soy milk? Thank you
I don’t think the almond milk would create the same texture, but you could definitely try it!
This looks absolutely amazing, especially since summer is coming up! Thank you so much.
Hi Carrie,
Sounds wonderful. I make homemade ice-cream except I am highly allergic to soy so I use the coconut milk & my own raw homemade yogurt with strawberries or other berries. I either use raw honey or maple syrup with coconut nectar. Your recipe sounds so refreshing. Thanks for sharing on Real Food Fridays. Pinned & tweeted!
Your version sounds so delicious too, Marla!!!
yummy for the tummy ……I know I’m old enough to be your momma but could you adopt me 🙂 pwease??? lol hugs from MD
Ha ha ha…how about I adopt you as my Mama? :0)