Vegan Vanilla Ice Cream is the perfect dairy-free dessert! It’s so rich and creamy your guests won’t ever guess that it’s vegan. Because this ice cream has a cashew base and is not made of coconut milk, it truly tastes like a classic vanilla ice cream, rather than some sad approximation of vanilla ice cream with an odd coconut flavor.
Made with just 5 ingredients, Vegan Vanilla Ice Cream can be whipped up in a jiffy. All you need to prepare this easy paleo dessert recipe is cashews, water, honey, vanilla, and a pinch of salt.
I’ve been making this dairy-free ice cream recipe since we lived in New York City, before we moved to Colorado in 2002. In my New York days, when I was teaching yoga and hanging out with vegans, my raw food friends turned me on to the fact that cashews make a fantastic substitute for dairy.
- 1 cup raw cashews
- 2 cups water
- ¼ cup agave nectar or honey
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 pinch celtic sea salt
- In a vitamix, combine all ingredients and blend on high speed until smooth
- Pour mixture into an ice cream maker and process according to instructions
- Serve
Wondering how to make ice cream without an ice cream maker? You’ll definitely want to check out my quick and easy 2-Ingredient Banana Ice Cream recipe. If you make my ice cream recipes tag @elanaspantry on Instagram or leave a comment below. I love seeing your kitchen creations.
We like to serve Vegan Vanilla Ice Cream over these easy paleo vegan dessert recipes!
Kassidy says
I was wondering if you had yet tried this with a different kind of nut yet. My mom is allergic to cashews, but I want to try this for a birthday party.
Elana says
Kassidy, I haven’t tried that. Here’s a link to my nut-free Paleo Birthday cake. It has 7 ingredients total and is great for parties:
https://elanaspantry.com/paleo-birthday-cake/
Enjoy!
Elana
Charisse says
I can’t wait to try your ice cream recipes like the one above. I’ve been having fun trying your Paleo recipes here and in all 3 of your books. I love the way they are so easy and require not a lot of time or ingredients for most. Your books are clean, no-nonsense and beautifully done as is your website. Thank you so much!
Charisse
San Diego, CA
Elana says
Charisse, thanks for your kind words! I want the whole world to have healthy recipes that are easy to make :-)
Bobbi says
Hello! We don’t eat cashews for health reasons. May macadamia nuts, pecans, walnuts, or another nut be substituted?
Elana says
Bobbi, I haven’t tried that so not sure. Here’s a link to one of my cashew-free ice cream recipes for you:
https://elanaspantry.com/vegan-mint-chip-ice-cream/
Enjoy!
Elana
Ks says
This ice cream is amazing!!! I added dairy free and gluten free Oreos for my daughters! It’s a great ice cream base!
Elana says
KS, I’m so happy to hear this ice cream is amazing!
Alexis says
This was just okay right after churning but I made it four hours ahead to serve with pie and it formed a ton of ice crystals in the freezer. I’m using it up in smoothies and it’s good for that.
Elana says
Thanks Alexis! Yes, this is amazing if you make it and serve it right away :-)
Kath says
If you freeze leftover ice cream does it freeze rock-hard or are you able to scoop it like dairy ice cream? (I see in your recipe for Cookie Dough Ice Cream in your book that you say to let leftovers melt and refrigerate until ready to freeze in an ice cream maker again.)
Elana says
Kath, when I make ice cream and want to serve it a second time I melt it down and remix it in the ice cream maker :-)
Kath says
Thank you! I wondered if that were true for the cashew ice cream, too.
Elana says
Kath, you’re welcome!
Laura says
Thank you so much for this recipe. When I make this I will tune in.
Elana says
Laura, you’re welcome!
Elspeth Mann says
Hello Elana,
My husband and I received your cookbook as a gift 3 years ago and it is our go to cook book! And we are not gluten free. Our favorites are the chocolate chip cookies, the brownies, and the kale salad.
For a long time we were making icecream and our favorite recipe is the one in the Elana’s Pantry cookbook under ‘Cookie Dough Icecream.’ We simply left out the cookie dough and make the vanilla icecream (If I remember correctly the ingredients are coconut milk, hempseed, maple syrup (or honey) vanilla bean, salt,..coconut oil and water). Lately, however, it is not turning out right! I am not sure why. One thing that seems to be a problem is the coconut oil not blending in well. I also am thinking maybe I’m not picking the right type of coconut milk.
Suggestions appreciated. Thank you for your culinary expertise!
Elspeth and Gabriel Mann (and Jedi)
My husband has requested that I make it and I don’t want to get it wrong again!
Elana says
Hi Elspeth! Can you let me know which brand of coconut milk you are using? :-)