A rich and creamy coconut milk ice cream made with just 5 ingredients for an easy and delicious homemade vegan and gluten-free ice cream treat.
Hey friends!
I have returned home from my travels! After two back-to-back trips, first to New York City and second to England, I have to say it is good to be home! Dare I say, there are few better feelings IN THE WORLD than that feeling of falling asleep in your own bed after several adventurous weeks of travel?
As I settle back into my Portland home, I eagerly look forward to summer. This past weekend the kids and I started creating our annual summer bucket list. These bucket lists always look pretty same from year to year: beach trips, camping trips, berry picking, bike riding.
This year, I've added a few new ones to my list. Most notably, or perhaps I should say relevant, making homemade ice cream together. And we're going to start with this creamy coconut milk ice cream.
How to Make Coconut Ice Cream [Video]
Recommended Ingredients & Equipment
This recipe is made with just 5 simple ingredients! Better yet, they are ingredients you likely have on hand.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Coconut Milk - I have experimented with a lot of different bases for vegan ice cream. When coconut enhances the flavor of the ice cream it is my one of my favorite option for a vegan ice cream base. Full fat coconut milk is rich, thick, and similar in consistency to the heavy creamer. Therefore, it has the most similar texture to that of cow milk ice cream. This recipe calls for full-fat canned coconut milk. Do not mistake this with coconut milk that comes in a carton.
- Granulated Sugar - Check out my guide to vegan sugars and alternative sugar replacements. For a healthier sugar alternative, I recommend coconut sugar.
- Cornstarch
- Vanilla Extract
- Salt
Recommended Equipment
Most importantly, you will need an ice cream maker. I love my ice cream maker. It is compact and makes the perfect creamy ice cream every time! You should also have a 9x5 loaf pan, ice cream scoop, and a set of reusable pint-sized ice cream freezer containers. (<<affiliate links)
Check out the full list of my recommended kitchen tools and gadgets.
How to Make Coconut Ice Cream
Step One - Make the Base
Set aside ½ cup of coconut milk. Heat the remaining coconut milk, sugar, and salt in a small saucepan, whisking until sugar has dissolved.
In a separate bowl, make a slurry with the cornstarch and the reserved coconut milk. Add it to the saucepan and cook, stirring frequently, until the ice cream base begins to thicken, fully coating the back of a wooden spoon.
Step Two - Chill the Custard
Transfer the custard to a shallow container, cover, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, until the custard is chilled all the way through.
Step Three - Churn the Ice Cream
Add the chilled ice cream base to the frozen ice cream bowl and churn according to the manufacturer's instructions. Church until it becomes thick and resembles soft serve. You can serve now or transfer it to loaf pan and store in the freezer until ready to serve. Allow 5-10 minutes to thaw when removing from the freezer.
Serving and Storing
Store the ice cream in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 1 month. I store my ice cream in pint-sized ice cream tubs to keep them fresh and avoid freezer burn.
Serve your ice cream slightly thawed. Allow the ice cream to thaw 10-15 minutes before serving. Serve it in a bowl, in cones, or as part of an ice cream sundae.
Frequently Asked Questions
While I totally recommend getting an ice cream maker ASAP, you can make a creamy custard without the machine.
To do this, make your ice cream base as outlined above. Once it’s ready, transfer it to a baking sheet and place in the freezer. When the ice cream is frozen, break it into chunks and blend it in a food processor until it becomes smooth and creamy. This may take up to 10 minutes. Transfer to a loaf pan refreeze.
You won’t get quite the same creaminess, but it works in a pinch!
Why won't my ice cream thicken?
Every once and awhile I have a reader who cannot get their ice cream to thicken. There are a few reasons your ice cream never gets thick and creamy. Make sure to:
- Boil your coconut ice cream base for at least 2 minutes. The custard should become thick, fully coating the back of a wooden spoon.
- Freeze your ice cream maker base for at least 8 hours before using it. This is to freeze the center of the base which is essential in getting thick vegan ice cream.
- Chill the ice cream base for at least 4 hours before churning. If the ice cream base is too warm, it will melt the center of the ice cream maker and never harden.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.
More Vegan Ice Cream Recipes
- Cookie Dough Ice Cream
- Raw Chunky Monkey Ice Cream
- Vegan Snickerdoodle Ice Cream
- Turkish Coffee Ice Cream
- Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Coconut Milk Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 2 (15oz) cans full-fat coconut milk, divided
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ tablespoon cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- The night before place the bowl of your ice cream maker in the freezer to freeze all the way through.
- Measure out ½ cup of coconut milk and set aside.
- Add remaining coconut milk, sugar, and salt to a small saucepan. Place over medium heat and whisk until sugar is dissolved. Add the vanilla extract.
- Stir in the cornstarch to the reserved ½ cup coconut milk until well combined.
- Add cornstarch/coconut milk mixture to the saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring frequently.
- Boil for 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the cornstarch is completely cooked and ice cream base has thickened. Transfer to a shallow container, cover, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
- Add chilled ice cream base to frozen ice cream bowl and churn according to manufacturer's instructions. Churn until it becomes thick and resembles soft serve.
- You can serve now or transfer to a pint-size container and store in the freezer until ready to serve. Allow 5-10 minutes to thaw when removing from the freezer.
- Serve with toasted coconut, optional
Hi, I’m Sarah. I’m a 14-year (and counting) vegan, professionally trained photographer, former pastry chef, founder of My Darling Vegan, and author of the
Donnelle says
Could you use coconut cream Instead of coconut milk or is that not a good choice? I accidentally purchased a case of canned coconut cream and didn’t realize there was a difference. Thanks!
Sarah McMinn says
I think it would work! It should make your ice cream creamier like gelato.
Mary says
Coconut cream and fresh fruit (strawberries, mango, & banana) make excellent soft serve in food processor.
Paula Hall says
Delicious and very easy! Thank you so much
Cheryl Eastburn says
I made this and it came out so creamy and wonderful! I want to try the mint chocolate chip, but I do not have mint extract. I do have fresh mint, so I was curious on how much fresh mint would you use? Or do I have to find some extract?
Vicki says
Delicious and easy to make! Thank you for sharing!
Nan says
I used your recipe and we have run into an issue that the edges freeze and the machine stops turning. Edges are frozen but the middle is still liquid. I have searched for a resolution and found no answers. I am reaching out if you could help us?
Sarah McMinn says
Sounds like it might be an issue with the machine. It's also possible you filled the machine too full.
Shenali says
Can i use coconut cream instead of coconut milk?
Sarah McMinn says
You could do half coconut cream/half milk but I imagine 100% coconut cream would be too thick and rich.
Melissa S Schemenauer says
I've found that adding 2 tsp of vodka helps keep it from freezing up like that.
Marnie says
I have 2 cans of coconut milk, 1 is unsweetened and 1 is sweetened. If I use these, what amount of sugar should I adjust to?
Thank you, Marnie
Sarah McMinn says
I'm not sure how much sugar is in sweetened coconut milk- I've never heard of it. I would just start with half the sugar. You can taste and adjust before adding the cornstarch.
Ronda says
My son had food allergies. And he really misses his ice cream! I've made this several times and he loves it!! I substitute 1 can of coconut milk for coconut cream.
Brad Ehlers says
Can we double the recipe? I have a 2 qt maker. Any alterations?
Sarah McMinn says
Sure you can double. No alterations needed.
Laura says
I would like to try this but am wondering if you think a liquid sweetener such as honey or agave would work in place of the sugar? Thank you so much, looks delicious!
Cynthia L says
Thank you for the recipe ! ? I’ve cooked the base and will cool it next. If I want to add flavorings, or chocolate chips, would I add them when I churn it ?
Thanks again !
K says
Custard never thickened after 25 mins and the addition of Another slurry with arrowroot Powder.
SG says
Can you specify how big the "two cans" of coconut milk are?
I've got a 3-quart can of coconut milk, and I'm pretty sure this isn't what you had in mind!
Sarah McMinn says
14oz cans. I've clarified in the recipe now.
Tina says
Can you make the ice cream base ahead of time and let it chill over night with the ice cream maker base?
Looks delicious and can’t wait to try making it.
Sarah McMinn says
Yes, you can do that.
Esther Adler says
Why does the coconut milk need to be boiled? If I'm not adding sugar or cornstarch (not allowed on my daughter's diet) do I still need to boil? Also, have you ever used coconut cream in making ice cream?
Sarah McMinn says
If you're omitting the sugar and cornstarch, the coconut milk doesn't have to be boiled. However, without cornstarch, it won't hold together as well. Could you substitute it with tapioca starch? I haven't used coconut cream for making ice cream; I think it would be too rich. But if you're not using cornstarch, it might be a good option!
B. Wright says
when do you add the Vanilla extract? the recipe doesn't say. also, a typo in instruction 7. says "church" and should say churn. thank you.
Sarah says
Thanks. I made the corrections.
Charlene says
I have a vegan guest and I would love to make this for her. I much prefer the taste of frozen coconut milk to the canned variety. Would this work? It’s full fat.
Thank you!
Sarah says
Yes, that should be fine.