Vegan Strawberry Ice Cream - No Churn Ice Cream Recipe! (2024)

FAQs

What is the best thickener for vegan ice cream? ›

Plant-based fats are the best way to thicken vegan ice cream. Coconut cream, full-fat coconut milk and coconut oil will give the creamiest and thickest results. Cornstarch and tapioca starch can also be used to thicken but the end result will be a little more icy and a little less creamy.

Vegan Ice Cream Challenges

Because of this, ice crystals form which create a grainy or sandy mouthfeel in the finished product. Some solutions include adding proteins, food gums and other hydrocolloids to bind the water during the freezing process.

Adding thickening agents, such as egg yolks, cornstarch, gelatin, tapioca starch, or even Junket tablets, enhances the texture and elevates the overall ice cream experience. Remember, making homemade ice cream is as much an art as it is a science.

A common - and better - emulsifier for ice cream is soy lecithin, which can be derived from soybeans, sunflowers and rapeseed. Soy lecithin has a neutral taste, and also allows you to make egg-less ice cream.

The common thickeners in non-dairy ice creams are guar gum, xanthan gum, acacia gum, carrageenan, and locust bean gum. These ingredients are added to enhance the texture of liquid to mimic the viscosity of a rich creamy ice cream. Guar, acacia, and xanthan gum can all be added to a recipe while cold.

But, dissolving the salt will lower the freezing point, so that the ice will return to being a liquid. The best way to stop crystals from forming is to use an inverted sugar. This will keep the ice cream smooth. Inverted sugar is the syrup of refined sugar.

As you churn ice cream, individual water molecules turn into ice-crystal seeds — which is what makes cream freeze. The higher the fat content, the more time you have to churn before these ice crystals congregate, resulting in creamier final texture.

Sugar, corn syrup or honey, as well as gelatin and commercial stabilizers, can all keep your ice cream at a softer consistency. Ice cream also stays softer when you store it in a shallow container, rather than a deep tub, and cover the surface of the ice cream with plastic wrap to keep ice crystals from forming.

Not only does cornstarch achieve the same velvety texture that you get from a custard, but the vanilla (or other flavors; see below) shines through even more without the egg.

What is the secret ingredient to ice cream? ›

The cream cheese helps create an ice cream with a denser, smoother texture. As explained by TASTE, cream cheese acts as a stabilizer in ice cream, preventing water from seeping out of the milk and cream as well as preventing the formation of ice crystals that detract from ice cream's creaminess.

Liquid sugars like invert sugar, corn syrup, honey, and glucose syrup all add body, creaminess, and stability to ice cream, and a little goes a long way.

To thicken vegan ice cream, use a combination of high-fat plant-based milk and natural thickening agents such as arrowroot powder, cornstarch, or xanthan gum. Additionally, incorporating soaked and blended cashews can add extra thickness to the mixture.

Not letting the ice cream maker bowl get cold enough.

It's as simple as this: If the freezer bowl that goes with your ice cream maker isn't cold (like, really cold), your ice cream is never going to freeze.

If your bowl isn't totally frozen, your ice cream won't thicken and churn but remain soupy instead. TIP: Make sure your freezer bowl is completely dry before placing it in the freezer. Water droplets will turn into ice and end up in your ice cream!

Arrowroot Powder

Also known as arrowroot starch, this substance is made from the root of the arrowroot plant. It can be used to thicken a variety of vegan dishes without changing the color or sheen of the dish. Therefore, it works especially well for thickening glossy vegan frostings and clear soups.

Use higher fat content vegan milks: Oat milk, coconut milk and cream, as well as cashew milk and cream, have a higher fat content which can help create a creamier texture. Add a fat source: Adding a fat source like coconut oil or cocoa butter can also help create a creamier texture.

The amount of cornflour you should use depends on the amount of cream you're trying to thicken of course but 1-2tsp is normally plenty. Other methods that work: gelatine powder/leaves (careful not to add to much or your mixture will end up too gelatinous)

Agar also has firmer mouth feel than gelatin, but has a smooth finish. It can be used as an excellent fat-free vegan thickener and stabilizer in a variety of other plant-based recipes such as sauces, custards, and puddings.