You know what Fall tastes like? Pumpkin. And pumpkin spice. Or pumpkin spice ice cream. This homemade pumpkin ice cream is prepped in 15 minutes AND without an ice cream maker. Extra points: it’s vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free.
It’s that time of year again, friends.
When pumpkin takes over EVERYTHING and it’s so good and so perfect.
Let’s go over the goodness…
The wind starts having a little chill.
The leaves start changing.
The fireplaces start getting used again.
Fall is simply perfection, if you ask me.
I love moments in each season, but Fall just seems to have the most special moments, you know?
Like how pumpkin spice takes over everything, from pumpkin spice lattes to pumpkin raisin bread to pumpkin cheesecakes to…ICE CREAM.
Yep. Ice Cream. I just had to. I’ve made a pumpkin frozen yogurt before, but I wanted to create a new way to enjoy pumpkin in a cool, creamy, frozen way.
Ding Ding Ding: Pumpkin Ice Cream!
Plus, you know, Fall is the season of pumpkin spice so I figured pumpkin spice ice cream is totes appropriate.
For this homemade pumpkin ice cream, I used full fat coconut milk to get a creamy consistency and add more richness.
When you’re looking for it at the grocery store, I’m not talking about the coconut milk in the refrigerated section, I’m talking about the canned coconut milk — typically in the Asian section. There’s a big difference so please look for the canned, full-fat stuff, okay?
Because it’s practically canned magic – and can be used in so many ways. Like this whipped cream and these creamy steel cut oats and these creamsicles and these cheesecakes. <— OMG those cheesecakes!
If you have about an hour, I totes recommend making your own pumpkin puree. It’s crazy simple to make and adds so much flavor and goodness, compared to canned pumpkin puree. I’ll explain to you in a bit how to do it.
For those of you keeping score, besides being amazingly easy, this fresh pumpkin ice cream is ALL of the following:
- vegan
- gluten-free
- clean eating
- refined sugar-free
- dairy-free
- no churn
- what dreams are made of
Just to make this bowl-o-ice-cream-yumminess EVEN better, I top it with candied pecans.
Sounds amazing, right?
I’m glad you think so because I have even better news: they’re super easy to make. All you need is a fry pan, pure maple syrup, raw pecans, and about 10 minutes and POOF: candied pecans. To see exactly how to do it, click here for my recipe.
Then, come back and make this vegan pumpkin ice cream.
Then, go out and enjoy the Fall – it’s here and it’s wonderful!
HOW TO MAKE PUMPKIN ICE CREAM
This pumpkin ice cream is super easy to make. It doesn’t require an ice cream maker so no need to worry about that. If you’ve got a freezer and a big bowl, you’re set.
As for the ingredients, you need the following ingredients:
- coconut milk
- pumpkin puree
- pecans
- pure maple syrup
- vanilla extract
- pumpkin spice (basically a combo of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and allspice)
You probably already have these ingredients in your pantry so all you have to do is to learn how to make pumpkin ice cream.
But before that, let’s take some time and discuss the health benefits of pumpkin.
WHAT ARE THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF PUMPKIN?
I’m telling you, pumpkin is amazing. So amazing, in fact, that it’s a shame we use it more for decorating our houses during Halloween than for the nutritional powerhouse it actually is.
Not that I have something against carving pumpkins. I don’t. I’m all for carving pumpkins. But I’m also all for fresh pumpkin recipes.
What about pumpkin pie?
Yes, pumpkin is also used in pumpkin pie. However, there are so many other things we can do with pumpkin. Things like soups, smoothies, and fresh ice cream.
Pumpkin…
- is low in calories
- is highly nutritious
- is rich in vitamins (including vitamin C and vitamin A)
- is a great source of fiber
- contains beta-carotene
- contains potassium
So now you can see the health benefits of pumpkin, I’m betting you understand why I’m so hyped about it. So let’s get to it.
WHAT’S IN PUMPKIN SPICE?
Ever wondered what is pumpkin spice or what’s in pumpkin spice?
I have the answers!
Pumpkin spice is a mix of spices traditionally used in pumpkin pie. However, pumpkin spice flavors are everywhere nowadays during Fall months. Coffee drinks, desserts, and, of course, in my pumpkin spice ice cream.
So what’s in pumpkin spice?
Pumpkin spice usually contains a blend of:
- nutmeg
- ginger
- cinnamon
- allspice
- cloves
Simple spices. But what amazing Fall flavors. Am I right? So many people just buy pre-made pumpkin spice blend, but I like making my own because I can control the flavors.
HOW TO MAKE FRESH PUMPKIN PUREE
While you could use organic canned pumpkin puree, I make my own pumpkin puree, which is super easy and awesome to have around during Fall.
Is canned pumpkin healthy? Yes. But only if has just one ingredient. That ingredient should be pumpkin. Nothing else added, ok? Stay away from pumpkin pie mix since that contains a lot of sugar. You might be tempted to get it since it’s usually near the canned pumpkin in grocery stores but please don’t.
That being said, promise me you’ll try my pumpkin puree recipe.
If you haven’t, it’s like the easiest thing EVER and it makes a huge difference in your pumpkin recipes. The flavor is sweeter and oh so yummy.
So, spoiler alert, here’s how to make fresh pumpkin puree:
- slice open the pumpkin
- clean out the seeds
- pop it in the oven
- Remove the skin of the pumpkin
- Puree the cooked pumpkin
Told you it’s super simple.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CANNED AND FRESH COCONUT MILK?
Canned coconut milk is full fat coconut milk. The refrigerated carton coconut milk is actually a coconut milk drink.
What’s the difference between the two?
Water, mainly.
Canned coconut milk is the full-fat, fresh coconut milk you’ll want for cooking.
The carton coconut milk is coconut milk blended with water and some vitamins. This is a good beverage option (if it has 0 sugars added) but it’s not creamy for cooking because a lot of the fat has been removed.
3 MORE HEALTHY PUMPKIN RECIPES
I love this vegan pumpkin ice cream a lot. Like a lot, a lot. But there are other pumpkin recipes I love, including fresh pumpkin recipes. Yes, I have a pumpkin addiction. But who doesn’t during Fall? Right? Right. I couldn’t help it so I made a list of 3 healthy pumpkin recipes for you. Here they are:
HEALTHY PUMPKIN BREAD WITH RAISINS
This Healthy Pumpkin Bread With Raisins is the epitome of Fall flavors. And it’s comforting and ready in less than 1 hour.
Can you make healthy pumpkin bread? Yes, you can. Just try my recipe. Oh, by the way, if you don’t like raisins, you can leave them out. Get the recipe.
PUMPKIN PIE OVERNIGHT OATS
You know how much I love my overnight oats. So I gave them Fall flavors and transformed them into Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats.
What you get if you try the Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats – a quick and easy make-ahead breakfast + comforting Fall flavors. Get the recipe.
HEALTHY PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE
Do you love the Pumpkin Spice Lattes from Starbucks? Who doesn’t right? What I don’t love about them is the ton of sugar in them. So, instead of going to Starbucks, I make my own Healthy Pumpkin Spice Latte.
You can do it too. The homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte is cheaper, healthier, and more delicious. Get the recipe.
You know what Fall tastes like? Pumpkin. And pumpkin spice. Or pumpkin spice ice cream. This homemade pumpkin ice cream is prepped in 15 minutes AND without an ice cream maker. Extra points: it’s vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free.
- 1 can full fat coconut milk, refrigerated
- 1 cup fresh pumpkin puree
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/8 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/8 tsp ground ginger
- 1/8 tsp ground cloves
- 1/8 tsp ground allspice
- candied pecans, optional topping
- Line a loaf pan with wax or parchment paper and then set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, pure maple syrup, vanilla extract, sea salt, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground ginger, ground cloves, and ground allspice and stir well.
- in a separate large mixing bowl, add a can of full fat coconut milk and beat using a mixer until soft peaks form.
- Add the whipped coconut milk to the pumpkin mixture, folding it in gradually, and stir gently until smooth.
- Pour into the prepared loaf pan and then place in the freezer for 4-6 hours, or until solid enough to scoop.
- I like to sprinkle some candied pecans over the top with this delicious pumpkin ice cream all Fall long.
Recipe Video
While you could use organic canned pumpkin puree, I make my own puree which is super easy and awesome to have around during the Fall. To make it, check out my easy recipe.
This post contains affiliate links for products I use regularly and highly recommend.
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Hi Lacey, thank you for this ice cream. I love to take Ice cream twice in a day because it has become a menu in daily foods. I just got something new idea by reading this content. I definitely try to make this Pumpkin Ice cream at home.
pumpkin ice cream is one of my favorites
Can almond or cashew milk be used as a substitute for the coconut milk?
Sounds wonderful. Do you think it would work in an ice cream machine?
So good.
Yea, like shockingly yummy.
Hi Lacey. I just listened to your podcast on FBP and wanted to say I’m so amazed by what you have accomplished and not given up. Good work in all aspects of life! All the best to you!!!
Thank you so much, Olena! I so appreciate that 🙂