Coconut milk ice cream.
Coconut milk ice cream is a type of frozen dessert that relies on coconut milk instead of cow’s milk for its creamy texture and flavor. A great option for vegan or lactose intolerant ice cream lovers, coconut milk ice cream is often available in a variety of flavors at specialty food stores. For anyone with an ice cream maker, coconut milk ice cream is easy to make at home and can be used as a base for any favorite ice cream flavor.
A scoop of coconut milk ice cream.
One of the benefits of coconut milk ice cream is that it does not contain lactose. This means that many brands are suitable for people with dairy allergies, celiac disease, or vegans. Some brands, as well as homemade versions, can also be made gluten-free, making them a great dessert alternative for those with gluten allergies. In the interest of creating a healthier, food-restricted dessert, some companies also produce ice creams with coconut milk that are unsweetened or that use white sugar alternatives such as agave syrup.
Coconut does not contain lactose and can be used to make ice cream.
As the flavor of coconut is generally mild, coconut milk can be used to create almost any type of traditional ice cream flavor. Some popular commercial flavors include dairy-free mint chips, almond cherry, and a wide variety of chocolate-based flavors. For coconut lovers, there are also many flavors where the coconut flavor is more pronounced, including coconut chocolate and piña colada.
Most ice cream recipes call for whole coconut milk for a creamier texture.
Making basic coconut milk ice cream at home requires just a few ingredients and one essential tool: an ice cream maker. Most recipes call for the use of whole coconut milk for the best texture, but light coconut milk can also be substituted for a healthier dessert. Many homemade recipes are based on the ice cream making method, in which coconut milk, sugar, and eggs are boiled together until a thick cream forms and then frozen using an ice cream maker.
To make a coconut milk ice cream base in different flavors, additives such as chocolate, vanilla or flavored syrup can be added during the cooking stage. Additions like chocolate chips or swirls are usually added in the last few minutes of freezing so they don’t melt and freeze too hard. Ice cream mixes that contain alcohol, such as raisins and rum, may take longer to freeze than other varieties. With a little patience and a little coconut milk, a delicious ice cream can be made with almost any combination of ingredients.