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    Home ▸ Vegan Desserts

    Easy Vegan Chocolate Ice Cream Recipe

    Last modified: June 26, 2020. Originally posted: May 9, 2020 By Sophia DeSantis

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    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Are you looking for a frozen treat, that not only tastes amazing but is filled with nutrition? This easy vegan chocolate ice recipe will be your new BFF! #vegandessertrecipes #dairyfreedessert
    Two stacked cups with chocolate ice cream in the top one
    Are you looking for a frozen treat, that not only tastes amazing but is filled with nutrition? This easy vegan chocolate ice recipe will be your new BFF! #vegandessertrecipes #dairyfreedessert

    Are you looking for a frozen treat, that not only tastes amazing but is filled with nutrition? This easy vegan chocolate ice recipe will be your new BFF!

    Two stacked cups with chocolate ice cream in the top one
    Click here to subscribe

    We love ice cream around here, especially chocolate. So I put my creating brain in and came out with this amazingly rich protein packed treat!

    Chocolate Flavored Vegan Ice Cream

    If it was up to the little one, he'd live on ice cream. I mean, top it with some cookies and I totally get it. But since he's a monster without some healthy protein, I thought I'd put the two together!

    What is vegan ice cream made of?

    There are a million and one ways vegan ice cream can be made, with new ideas coming every day. This new recipe is a prime example!

    Some of the most common bases for vegan ice cream are:

    • bananas
    • cashews
    • coconut milk
    • almond milk
    • soy milk
    • Aquafaba (the juice from a can of chickpeas)

    And now, I have proven that you can also use chickpeas! I also have another very odd ingredient. Don't judge until you try it. It's....tomato paste. Yep.

    You read that right. It helps bring out the rich flavor of the chocolate. I promise that it's amazing.

    Child's hands holding a stack of cups with chocolate ice cream inside

    Is vegan ice cream healthy?

    Like any food, this depends on what's in it. Just because something is vegan, doesn't mean it is healthy. This recipe, is definitely on the healthier side!

    However, healthy to me is a wide spread word. What is healthy for one person isn't necessarily healthy for another. I personally feel like healthy means made of ingredients that are mostly whole food based.

    Keeping homemade ice cream soft in the freezer

    The thing about ice cream in the freezer, much like anything you put in there, is that it freezes. LOL So you may wonder why store bought varieties are so soft.

    The answer is in the gums they use in the ingredients. They help keep ice crystals from forming, and help keep the ice cream fluffy and soft.

    Other techniques out there like using the right amount of sugar or alcohol, can help lower the freezing point and therefore keep the ice cream from getting super hard. But it doesn't always work.

    I also scoured the internet and found this tip about keeping it in a plastic bag that was interesting enough to try.

    After trying it, I can't say it helped a ton but I think it helped a little. The concept of the bag insulating the container so ice crystals don't form does make sense. I think it would work better with store bought ice cream that has ingredients to help it as well.

    An ice cream scooper scooping out chocolate ice cream from a rectangular pan

    Storage tips

    The best way to store ice cream is in a specific ice cream container or a pan covered in plastic wrap. You want to keep ice crystals from forming, so placing plastic flush against the top of the ice cream itself helps.

    You can also then keep your container or pan in a plastic bag like described above to further help if you want to give that a shot.

    When you are ready to eat it, defrost for about 5-15 minutes before you dig in, depending on the inside temperature of your house.

    Also, you should eat your homemade ice cream within the first few freezing times for the best results. Every time you defrost and then refreeze ice cream it will form more ice crystals making it harder.

    You can store it in individual servings as well so you can just take one out at a time to eat and not have to defrost the entire container.

    How to Make Vegan Chocolate Ice Cream

    This recipe can't be any easier! It takes two steps to get that ice cream into the freezer. The hardest part is the waiting!

    1. Put everything into a blender and blend until smooth. Top view of a blender with chocolate ice cream liquid base inside
    2. Transfer to a container. Or if you have an ice cream maker pour into that and churn. See below on tips to make this even better without an ice cream maker.A spatula putting chocolate ice cream base into a rectangular pan
    3. Once frozen, scoop and enjoy! This ice cream base is thick and almost pudding like. This helps make the end result uber creamy. The other good news is that this is ready to eat within 2-3 hours depending on your freezer.Pan of chocolate ice cream next a bowl of a scoop of it

    Mix in ideas

    We love changing this up a bit to make it even more decadent. Here are some of our favorite mix ins:

    • Chocolate chips
    • Crushed graham crackers
    • Marshmallows (make sure to get a vegan marshmallow to keep it vegan)
    • Sprinkles
    • Chopped nuts
    • Chocolate sauce
    • Nut butter
    • Shredded coconut
    • Vegan brownie chunks
    • Vegan chocolate chip cookie chunks
    • Crushed oreos
    • Vegan caramel sauce
    • Dried cherries or raspberried
    • Freeze dried strawberries
    • Turtles or Peanut Butter Bites

    How to serve

    We love ice cream in any way shape or form. We try and mix it up to keep it exciting. Here are some of our faves:

    • Sugar cones
    • Wafer (or cake) cones
    • Waffle cones
    • Bowls
    • Waffle bowls
    • Just with a spoon into our mouth

    How to make without an ice cream maker

    You definitely don't need an ice cream maker to make ice cream at home. It's a great tool to have, I like the Cuisinart brand, but not needed for a great result.

    While an ice cream maker will give you smoother softer ice cream, it often is more on the soft serve side overall, so you may want to freeze it anyway.

    You can simple place in a container and freeze, but if you want to mimic the churning of an ice cream maker, there is a way. Here are the steps to take:

    1. Put the ice cream base into a freezer safe container.
    2. Every 30-40 minutes, use a spoon to mix the contents around. You are sort of mimicking what an ice cream maker does.
    3. Set the timer, you'll forget. Trust me.
    4. After about 2-3 hours, you will have hard ice cream but soft enough to serve!

    Freezer temps vary so yours can take less or more time.

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    Two stacked cups with chocolate ice cream in the top one

    Easy Vegan Chocolate Ice Cream Recipe

    Sophia DeSantis
    Are you looking for a frozen treat, that not only tastes amazing but is filled with nutrition? This easy vegan chocolate ice recipe will be your new BFF!
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Freeze time 3 hrs
    Total Time 3 hrs 5 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8
    Calories 326 kcal

    Equipment

    • Blender

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1 ½ cups dairy free chocolate chips
    • ½ cups cooked chickpeas , drained and rinsed
    • 1 ½ cups lite coconut milk , about 1 can
    • ½ cup raw cashews (see note)
    • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ¼ teaspoon sea salt , plus an extra pinch

    Instructions
     

    • Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.

    For ice cream maker version:

    • Add the liquid into an ice cream maker and churn until frozen.

    For freezer version:

    • Put into a freezer safe container and put in the freezer.
    • Every 30-40 minutes, use a spoon to mix the contents around. You are sort of mimicking what an ice cream maker does.
    • After about 2-3 hours, you will have hard ice cream but soft enough to serve! Your freezer temp may vary so it may take longer. Keep going until frozen.

    Notes

    • If you are not using a high speed blender, you can soak the cashews overnight, boil them for 30 minutes or grind the dry cashews into a fine powder using a coffee grinder (do not boil them for this method). 
    • The tomato paste really brings out the chocolate flavor. Don’t skip it!
    • This makes about 4 cups. Serving size is a little more than ½ cup.

    Recipe by Veggies Don’t Bite, visit our site for more great plant-based recipes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 326kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 5gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 101mgPotassium: 68mgFiber: 4gSugar: 22gCalcium: 7mgIron: 1mg

    Nutrition and metric information should be considered an estimate.

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    Reader Interactions

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    1. Katie

      May 24, 2020 at 4:06 pm

      Kid and husband approved! I used oat milk instead of coconut and tomato sauce instead of pate and added just a little maple syrup.

      Reply
      • veggiesdontbite

        May 25, 2020 at 4:30 pm

        Yay!! So happy everyone approved!

        Reply
    2. TheHarryPotterFan

      May 23, 2020 at 1:46 pm

      I have a question, how does it taste like chocolate if there isn’t any chocolate in it?😂 sorry this question probably sounds a little stupid

      Reply
      • veggiesdontbite

        May 23, 2020 at 3:53 pm

        Hey there! Not quite sure if you missed it but the first ingredient is 1 1/2 cups of chocolate chips!

        Reply
      • Debbie

        May 29, 2020 at 10:24 am

        The picture is chocolate (brown) ice cream. I don't see how the chips would make that color. No cocoa powder. Do the chips break up to make it that color. And do you soak the cashews first? I have been looking for a good vegan recipe. I will try this one.

        Reply
        • veggiesdontbite

          May 29, 2020 at 5:01 pm

          Hi Debbie! yes, the chocolate chips are blended and disperse to make the smooth and creamy chocolate ice cream. I just added a note about the cashews. Soaking is needed if you don't have a good high speed blender. Let me know what you think!

        • Debbie

          June 07, 2020 at 11:48 am

          I used 72% cacao chips, so I added 1/2 cup of cane sugar. I couldn't even tell that there was tomato paste. Very chocolatey. My can of coconut milk was marked wrong, it was cream. My food processor handle it fine. I will make it again.
          Thanks

        • veggiesdontbite

          June 08, 2020 at 9:12 pm

          I am so happy you liked it Debbie!! And lol on the cream. It happens!!

      • Ann

        July 16, 2022 at 11:55 am

        Read well! It has chocolate chips on it!

        Reply
    3. Kim

      May 23, 2020 at 11:32 am

      What a wonderful treat, so yummy. Who knew tomato would go with chocolate. Brilliant. Thanks for another great recipe!

      Reply
      • veggiesdontbite

        May 23, 2020 at 3:51 pm

        Thank you so much! I am thrilled you liked it!

        Reply
    4. Renee

      May 12, 2020 at 1:30 pm

      Very interesting combination of ingredients that taste so delicious!!!! Seriously delicious! (I’m a big fan of ‘mocha’ and think this would be delicious in my coffee!!!!) thanks Sophia, for another yummy recipe!

      Reply
      • veggiesdontbite

        May 12, 2020 at 5:16 pm

        I am SO happy you liked it Renee!! Definitely not conventional ingredients. LOL! Thank you so much for the great review!

        Reply

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