Salty Honey Dairy-Free Ice Cream

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If given the choice of pie, cake, or ice cream, this girl will pick a bowl of the cool creamy stuff every time. No matter what season it is, I have a favorite. Peppermint stick in the depths of winter, pumpkin ice cream in fall, rhubarb swirl in spring, and my new obsession that’s good any time of year – this Salty Honey Coconut Milk Ice Cream. I figured out the secret to making it as creamy as regular ice cream, not a bit icy. 

As I’ve learned after several years of cooking, salt is hands down the key to any irresistible sweet treat. And in this recipe makes the floral honey and soft vanilla flavors shine!

It’ll fool anybody who thinks the only way to a scoop of happiness is with dairy. The mouthfeel is so velvety, holding a richness I can only compare to custard. It’s absolutely incredible on top of warm, homemade gluten-free rhubarb crisp! And it scoops like a dream, not one bit icy even after three days in the freezer and being re-froze several times while taking these photos.

Secrets to silky smooth, creamy, flavorful dairy-free ice cream:

1. The Kitchn proved that making a slurry of starch and some of the coconut milk gave it the thickness that typically comes from egg yolks. I made mine using tapioca starch, as most people can tolerate that versus cornstarch.
2. They also suggested using a liquid sweetener instead of sugar to prevent ice crystals from forming. How perfect, as I had already envisioned my flavor combination being Salty Honey!
3. Sarah of Snixy Kitchen let me taste her amazing vegan vanilla bean ice cream when I was visiting her this spring, and instead of using all coconut milk, she uses 1 part coconut cream to 1 part coconut milk. The higher fat content of the cream is exactly what’s needed to replace that of dairy and eggs.
4. Alcohol – it can be a magic ingredient in cooking too. Jeanine of Love and Lemons adds vodka to her Matcha Coconut Milk Ice Cream, another way to reduce the chance of ice crystals forming. This concept is rooted in the fact that hard alcohol will not freeze solid.

I’m definitely not opposed to buying store-bought coconut, almond or soy ice creams, but I’m always disappointed. I have to set them out for at least 15 minutes before attempting to scoop because they’re rock hard, the flavor is kind of dull, and they just don’t have the same mouthfeel as regular ice cream.

Put them all together and BINGO.

This is the real deal. Thick, creamy, lightly sweetened, and perfect for any time of year, but especially now. Enjoy!

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Salty Honey Coconut Milk Ice Cream {dairy-free}

This super creamy dairy-free ice cream recipe is made with coconut milk and coconut cream for the very best texture! Highlighted by notes of vanilla, honey, and flaky salt.

4.77 from 13 votes

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Prep Time :10 minutes minutes

Cook Time :20 minutes minutes

Additional Time :8 hours hours

Total Time :8 hours hours 30 minutes minutes

Yield: 4 cups

Author: Amanda Paa

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon tapioca starch or arrowroot starch
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can full-fat coconut milk
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can coconut cream
• 2/3 cup runny honey, divided
• 2 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon vodka optional
• 1 1/2 tablespoons flaky Maldon sea salt
• Large bowl filled with ice
• Large Ziploc bag

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Equipment

• Ice Cream Maker Attachment

Instructions 

• To begin, mix tapioca starch and 2 tablespoons of coconut milk, stirring to dissolve and create a “slurry”. Set aside.
• In a large saucepan, bring remaining coconut milk, coconut cream, and 1/3 cup honey to a boil. Stir in tapioca starch slurry and boil for 1 1/2 minutes. Then turn down heat and simmer for 3 minutes, until mixture has slightly thickened and will coat the back of a spoon.
• Remove from heat, then stir in vanilla and vodka. Pour into a large Ziploc bag, seal, and submerge in ice bath. Refrigerate ice bath for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
• Pour ice cream mixture into your ice cream maker. I churn mine with my KitchenAid stand mixer attachment, on “stir setting” (low) for 13-14 minutes, until ice cream is of soft serve consistency. At this point sprinkle in 1/2 tablespoon salt and churn for 30 more seconds.
• Remove bowl from Stand Mixer and spread half of ice cream in the bottom of bread pan or other metal container.
• Drizzle 2 tablespoons honey and 1/2 tablespoon salt over the top. Spread remaining ice cream over that layer and drizzle remaining honey and salt over the top. Freeze for at least 4 hours before serving.