cream Archives • A Sweet Pea Chef

Do you want to make the creamiest ice cream ever? Everyone loves this healthy vanilla ice cream recipe. It has just 4 ingredients and is simple to make! Can you believe this ice cream recipe has just 4 ingredients? I know, right? This super easy healthy vanilla ice cream recipe is decadent and delicious. And it is so creamy, too! Making your own ice cream to enjoy alongside cookies (check out these protein paleo cookies), brownies, or even on top of pumpkin pie is the best! To me, ice cream has summer written all over it but to be honest...I adore ice cream all year long. Especially when it’s a recipe made from clean ingredients that fit in with my healthy lifestyle. This healthy vanilla ice cream recipe definitely fits the bill. No refined sugar? Check! Vegan? Check! Made with full fat coconut milk, this cold and creamy treat is going to be your favorite ice cream. Let’s make it, shall we? Is Vanilla Ice Cream Healthy? This vanilla ice cream is indeed healthy. Let’s look at the full fat coconut milk. Coconut milk is made from coconut flesh and waterIt has fiber and proteinCoconut milk has magnesium, iron, potassium, manganese and others (all important!)Use coconut milk in your coffee and in good for you smoothies The fact that we use maple syrup as the sweetener is a bonus since we all want to avoid processed sugar. The simple ingredients list means that this healthy vanilla ice cream is clean eating, too. Hurrah! What’s In This Healthy Vanilla Ice Cream? Simple ingredients that are easy to find make this creamy ice cream a must-try! Here's all you need... Full fat coconut milkRegular unsweetened coconut milk or unsweetened milk of choice like almond milkPure maple syrupVanilla extract What Is The Cleanest Ice Cream? The cleanest ice cream will always be the one with minimal ingredients – and of course, ingredients that you can pronounce! Look for ice cream that is made with natural ingredients and sweetened with foods like cinnamon, vanilla extract or banana. Always avoid refined sugar in the ice cream you buy and that includes things like sucralose and maltitol syrup. (Find out how to wean yourself off sugar in my post; it’s entirely possible!) If you make your own ice cream, you’ll be eating the cleanest ice cream possible. What Is The Unhealthiest Ice Cream? Any store-bought ice cream with an ingredients list a mile long is unhealthy. Even some ice cream brands with just a few ingredients will have an item or two included that is not the best for you. These are just a few to avoid: CarrageenanCellulose gumArtificial colorsPartially hydrogenated oilsArtificial colorsSoybean oil Is It Okay to Eat Ice Cream Every Night? This is almost a trick question, isn’t it? Sure, this is a healthy vanilla ice cream, but it is ice cream nonetheless! Coconut milk does contain some fat. If you were to eat ice cream every night and skip other healthy foods, that would be a bad idea. If you indulged in ice cream every night and did not exercise, meaning you were sedentary all day, then that would not be wise. What I’m saying is everything in moderation and take the time to do other things that are good for you like working out, drinking lots of water, filling your plate with tons of veggies, and making sure you walk whenever you get the chance. If you do that, then it is okay to enjoy ice cream now and then. But personally, I would vary it up with a yummy shake or a chia pudding once in a while! How To Make Healthy Vanilla Ice Cream Making this sweet treat takes only 20 minutes. Then, you’ll need to leave it in your ice cream maker for about 3-4 hours. So it’s pretty simple... Open two 13.5-oz cans of full fat coconut milkAdd ½ cup of regular unsweetened coconut milk or an unsweetened milk of your choiceAdd ⅓ cup of pure maple syrupMix in 2 tsp of pure vanilla extractPour into the ice cream maker! How To Store Healthy Vanilla Ice Cream This recipe makes about 5 cups. Store it in an airtight container in the freezer until ready to eat. Enjoy! More Healthy Ice Cream Recipes I told you I LOVE ice cream, right? I’ve got more recipes for you to try! Peach Ice Cream1 Ingredient Banana Ice Cream Without An Ice Cream MakerCoffee Ice CreamHealthy Homemade Eggnog Ice CreamEasy No-Churn Avocado Ice Cream15-Minute EASY Pumpkin Ice Cream This post contains affiliate links for products I use regularly and highly recommend. Healthy Vanilla Ice Cream | Just 4 Simple Ingredients Do you want to make the creamiest ice cream ever? Everyone loves this healthy vanilla ice cream recipe. It has just 4 ingredients and is simple to make! 2 13.5-oz cans full fat coconut milk ((approx 3 1/3 cups))1/2 cup regular unsweetened coconut milk (or unsweetened milk of choice )1/3 cup pure maple syrup2 tsp pure vanilla extract Combine all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl, and stir until mixed well.Transfer mixture to an ice cream maker. Follow according to your ice cream maker's instructions.Freeze for at least 3-4 hours prior to serving.Without An Ice Cream MakerCombine all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl.Pour into a Ziploc bag and freeze for about 3 hours.Break the frozen mixture into pieces and blend in a food processor.Put in a freezer safe container and freeze overnight (or 3-4 hours at least)Remove from the freezer and enjoy! Dessert, SweetsEasyhomemade ice cream recipe, homemade vanilla ice cream, vanilla ice cream recipe