Coffee Ice Cream (Vegan, Dairy Free, Paleo)

Here's an easy dairy-free ice cream recipe with that classic coffee flavor. Just 5 simple ingredients make the best coffee ice cream that is vegan, dairy-free, paleo, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free.

If you love coffee ice cream like I do, you will love this easy dairy-free recipe. It's made with extra strength coffee and maple syrup. If you haven't tried maple syrup to sweeten your coffee you need to - it's so good!

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Here's what you'll need to make it

Traditional coffee ice cream starts with making a custard with eggs yolks and heavy cream, often steeping ground coffee beans in the mixture. I skip all of that---no eggs, no dairy, no cook!

This nice cream uses a base of coconut milk and cashews for a creamy texture. You could also use coconut cream if you want to make an extra creamy vegan coffee ice cream.

You can use cold brew, leftover, or even decaf coffee (as long as it's extra strong) but I recommend using brewed espresso or cold brew coffee concentrate for an extra kick of coffee flavor.

And to intensify the coffee flavor even more, you can also add a little espresso powder or instant coffee granules. Espresso powder is a great ingredient to keep in your pantry for baking---a little bit added to your brownie batter will enhance the chocolate flavor.

Maple syrup is used instead of sugar for sweetness and a touch of pure vanilla extract gives it a vanilla latte-like flavor.

How to make homemade ice cream

Just blitz everything together in the blender. You can also use a food processor but using a high-speed blender will create a smoother, more creamy ice cream texture.

If all of your ingredients are already cold, you don't even need to wait to pour the coffee mixture in the ice cream maker. You can be eating soft serve coffee ice cream in less than 30 minutes.

My favorite way to make homemade ice cream is to mix the batter earlier in the day. I generally throw everything in a high speed blender while I'm in the kitchen making breakfast or lunch, then put the blender pitcher in the refrigerator until I'm ready to make the ice cream.

Just whisk or blend the ice cream mix quickly before pouring it into your ice cream machine. Then let it churn until it's soft-serve consistency.

How to serve

You can serve it soft or spread it in a loaf pan and freeze it until it's firm enough to scoop. Make an ice cream sundae with coconut whipped cream, chocolate sauce, and chopped nuts. Or add a banana for a banana split.

It's perfect for topping warm brownies or delicious in ice cream sandwiches made with gluten and dairy free chocolate chip cookies.

Starting the ice cream machine during dinner makes it simple to have soft serve for dessert. If we're eating out on the deck, I'll leave the ice cream in the freezer bowl and serve it family-style outside.

The freezer bowl acts like a cooler and keeps the ice cream cold while everyone helps themselves. Just set out some toppings and it's an easy ice cream bar.

Variations

Add your favorite mix-ins. The coffee and vanilla flavor is also a perfect ice cream base if you want to make chocolate chip or cookie dough ice cream. Just add ½ cup of chocolate chunks, dark chocolate chips, or cookie dough pieces (without the eggs) to the ice cream when it's almost done churning.

You can also add cacao powder to make it a chocolatey mocha ice cream. Use about a ¼ to ⅓ cup of cacao or cocoa powder to taste.

This homemade coffee ice cream recipe is perfect to use in other healthy desserts. Don't wait to try this super easy dairy-free, paleo, and vegan ice cream!

More dairy free frozen treats

• Pistachio Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
• Double Chocolate Ice Cream With Macadamia Nuts
• 10 Easy Ice Cream Recipes That Are Dairy-Free
• Healthy Popsicles Homemade With Fresh Fruits