Today I used an ice cream maker for the first time ever. And I think I'm in love. Here is the recipe creation.. My Vegan Mocha Almond Fudge Ice Cream. It has no sugar added and uses a simple base of soy milk and avocados. Yup, avocado ice cream! Skeptic? One taste and you will be swooning, promise.
Feel Good Treat! There is literally just good-for-you ingredients in this decadent ice cream. Grab a cone and start scooping! Sprinkles on top.. (Psst.. little giveaway in this post too!)
Did you know that you can make amazing ice cream with avocados??
I suggest flavors like.. chocolate, mint and vanilla.
Freshly churned..
Avocado Heaven. I received a BIG box of dreamy California Avocados last week and an ice cream maker. Like, really, this is the PERK side of being a food blogger. Ok, avocado ice cream? Let's try this.
I was a total skeptic. This will NOT taste good. But oh-my-GOSH I made this batch this morning and could not stop nibbling on my taste test cone, even though it was only 11am. But like I said, this is good-stuff ice cream!...
Healthy fats from those buttery 'cados, healthy sweetness from potassium and fiber-rich Medjool dates and antioxidant-rich cocoa powder.
So I cannot wait to try more ice cream flavors. Any requests?
Love this creamy chocolate dessert. Hope you love it too!
(I had so much fun frolicking through the California Avocado groves last year, check out that post.)
Ice Cream Maker or Not? This ice cream does need to be made in a churning ice cream maker. HOWEVER if you blend everything without using the ice cream maker it actually turns into an AMAZING chocolate avocado pudding. So either way, you can try this recipe -- ice cream maker or not.
And because I want to spread the ice cream maker love... GIVEAWAY!..
...ps. Watch for a HUGE summer fitness giveaway later this week. Prizes... Vitamix. Fitbit. Yummy Medjool Dates. Fitness wear. Protein powders. And MORE!
disclosure: This post was sponsored by California Avocados, thank you to them and all the brands I work with for making my blog possible! Check out the CA Avocado website for recipes, how-to's and fun avocado facts!
The Yummiest Vegan Mocha Almond Fudge Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 15 Natural Delights Medjool Dates, pitted and soaked in hot water for 1-2 minutes
- 1 ½ large California avocados (or 2 small)
- 2 cups soy milk, original or unsweetened
- 1 shot espresso, cooled
- 2 ½ tablespoon cocoa powder
- ⅛ - ¼ teaspoon cayenne (optional)
- ¼ - ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- pinch of fleur de sel or sea salt
Fold in:
- ½ cup slivered almonds, roasted and unsalted
- ¼ cup dark chocolate or almond dark chocolate, finely chopped (vegan variety)
- Optional: fudge ribbon, hand-swirled in
Instructions
- Add the dates, soy milk, avocados and espresso to a high speed blender like a Vitamix. Blend until smooth and thick. Add in the cocoa powder and spices and salt. Keep blending until combined. You may need to to scrape down the sides a few times during blending because the mixture gets so thick and creamy.
- Pour blended mixture into your chilled ice cream maker container. Insert paddle and start machine.
- Add in the almonds and chocolate chunks.
- Process for 15-20 minutes or until the mixture is thick enough to scoop -- even if it is a bit soft.
- Transfer to a loaf pan. Then place in freezer to firm up for a few minutes before scooping. (tip: use a chilled-ahead-of-time metal loaf pan lined with parchment paper!) Store leftovers in a sealed container in the freezer. Allow fully frozen ice cream to thaw for 5-10 minutes before scooping, for best texture.
- Optional: If adding the fudgy ribbon, add it over top the ice cream just before placing it in the freezer and swirl it into the mixture be hand.
Maribell Lynn says
I just saw a recipe for vegan pecan pie ice cream and it looks amazing. Can't wait to make it.
Heather McClees says
This is brilliant. Mocha has to be my all time favorite ice cream flavor except for mint chocolate chip. Sometimes I combine them into a Mint Mocha Chocolate Chip if I make them at home. But I've never used avocados before. How smart! 🙂
Judith says
mint
mm says
My favorite ice cream is cherry choc. chip. I have been making my own healthy ice creams a lot this summer(some times with frozen fruit) but would love to have a machine do it for me.
Elizabeth Schwartz says
This summer, I've been loving making my own nice creams! Some of my favorites have to inculde Peppermint, coffee, Chocolate-strawberry, and of course, Vanilla and cinnamon peach!!!! I love to mess around with funky fruit combos, but classic vanilla and caramel are always winners too!
Gaby says
Mint Galactica (Coconut Bliss) + Cookie Dough (So Delicious) + Chocolate Hazelnut Fudge (Coconut Bliss) and I could go on <3
Lauren Hancock says
gotta love peach ice cream in the summer time, classic!
GRose says
I love mint chocolate chip!
Jessica Piekenbrock says
Anything with chocolate and or peanut butter is my favorite flavor!
susitravl says
Butter Brickle - can't get enough of those crunchy little toffee pieces. BB was a popular flavor when I was growing up in the 60's, but hard to find now!
Vegan Richa says
so creamy! I am yet to like avocadoes in ice cream. This might just do the trick.
Ashley M. says
This ice cream looks absolutely amazing!! My favorite flavor at the moment is anything with cashews and salted caramel. Decadent and dreamy!
Mason Linkous says
Salted Caramel can't be beat!
Rachel Griesmer says
My favorite ice cream flavor this summer is raspberry.
Anushka Wickramaratne says
good ol' mint chocolate chip!
Molly Penaflor says
I use to be a die hard mint chip fan, but this summer I have been reaching for salted caramel whenever I can find a vegan version!
Rhonda Grisham says
Banana strawberry!! So good on a hot summer day!!
Natalia M. says
My favorite happens to be roasted pistachio cinnamon ice cream!
Sara G. says
My favorite flavor is chocolate! I just go the nice cream route with blended bananas, dates and cocoa power, then drizzle almond butter on top - it's to die for!! Yours looks beautiful, I can't wait to try with avocados!
Anita L says
Blue raspberry is my favorite flavor of ice cream EVERY summer!!!
Carolyn Murphy says
This looks amazing Kathy! I've been considering buying an ice cream maker and I might just have to do it now!
Melissa K. says
My favorite flavors are mocha (oh i can't wait to try this!) and mint chocolate chip. Would love to win this, and start my vegan ice cream explorations!
Julie Wood says
Chocolate, with lots of chunks of yummy goodness and salted caramel ribbons! Back in the day, was double chocolate malted crunch and rocky road from thrifty's, but i can't remember what they tasted like anymore 🙂 Been dying for an ice cream maker, but haven't felt justified in the cost or space, would be so awesome to win...
rfde freds says
Mint Chocolate!
Heather S says
I love lemon custard! <3
Jillian O'Donohoe says
I have been all about the new non-dairy Ben & Jerry's this summer. PB&Cookies or Chunky Monkey anyone? Winning this ice cream maker would be awesome to save me from the expense and myself because I could make healthier ice cream myself!
Kathy Patalsky says
Omg can you believe I still haven't tried the Ben and Jerrys flavors!!? I can never find them! It's so sad. I wish the Whole Foods I shop at would carry them. They carry BJ just not the vegan flavors 😁
Jillian O'Donohoe says
Oh no! Maybe they have them at a Ben & Jerry's scoop shop near you? That's actually the only place I have found them in D.C. but on the East Coast I've also found them in Stop & Shop.
Gwen Maynard says
Home made biscoff.
Anonymous says
Favorite ice cream flavor this summer is peaches with cinnamon!
Valeria Graves says
Chocolate peanut butter is one of my favorites!
shani says
i had a really good grapefruit sorbet mixed with a chocolate sorbet. such a good sweet and tart combo!
Kathy Patalsky says
Agree! When I was a kid I used to love getting daiquiri ice from Baskin Robbins and pairing it with a chocolate flavor. Weird but good!
ska4me says
Vanilla. Always has been, and always will be.
Paige Callahan says
i have been loving smores ice cream this summer
Katherine says
My favorite ice cream flavor is s'mores ice cream!
Natalie @ Feasting on Fruit says
Favorite ice cream flavor...that's a hard one! But anything with sprinkles always wins 🙂
Angie J. says
This summer I have been hooked on coconut dream with dark chocolate chunks from our local ice cream shop! Thanks for the giveaway!
Kathy Patalsky says
That is so odd! Can you try another email to enter? Does it have a short number of characters?
Bethany says
My favorite flavor this summer is sea salt and caramel. I'd love to be able to make my own ice cream and save some money!
kstickradt says
Vegan vanilla loaded with a variety of nuts! Thanks for offering this giveaway, nice! Enjoy your lovely recipes, too.
Van says
I'm so excited to try this recipe...as soon as I get an ice cream maker (mine broke about a month ago). I love that it's sweetened with dates!
I like ice cream with A LOT of chunks. I need at least a 60/40 ice cream to chunk ratio. It makes me feel like I'm finding treasures in my ice cream treat. There aren't too many flavors I don't like, but I nearly always choose a chocolate base. Throw some peanut butter swirls, and some interesting chunks in there, and I'm in heaven.
Kathy Patalsky says
Ahaha a lot of chunks! Love that. I love really chunky peanut butter chocolate ice cream. And of course cookies dough. Need to try those in my machine!!
Kathy Patalsky says
Oh and YES the dates worked SO WELL! I was kinda surprised. The sweetness is not too heavy so the chocolate mocha almond flavors really shine.
Dana says
Mint chocolate chip!
Diana Cote says
My favorite flavors (I struggle to choose just one) are Lemon, Pineapple and coconut.
Kathy Patalsky says
Such sunny flavors!
Diana Cote says
It hits the spot with this Florida heat. Hehe 🙂
Carly Williams says
My favorite flavor this summer is mint chocolate chip! I love eating it with fresh peaches on top.
Kathy Patalsky says
Interesting! I guess peach and fresh mint do go well together so... Love it
Melissa Atlas says
I looove any chocolate ice cream, pretty much. I recently had some salted malt chocolate ice cream, and I've been dreaming about it ever since.
Kathy Patalsky says
Isn't it funny how addictive ice cream can be?? I have been having one or two small scoops after dinner EVERY night the past few weeks. I'm officially addicted.😹 I know it will pass but it is funny how my ice cream cravings get me! At least it's all vegan, so there's that 😕
De says
I love most ice cream flavors. After all, what's not to love?
Karlie says
Mint chocolate chip!!
Rebecca @ Strength & Sunshine says
So I may just need another kitchen appliance 😉
My favorite flavors are coffee/cappuccino or Neapolitan!
Kathy Patalsky says
Ahaha I said the same thing. No. More. Counter. Space. Have to do a seasonal rotation maybe 😳🙈
Lena Todnem says
My favorite ice cream flavor is coconut. It just brings back so many memories, since it was the only ice cream flavor I would have. Now I do eat other ice cream flavors and love ice cream, but the coconut flavor is just special to me.
Kathy Patalsky says
Aw that's such a nice anecdote! I love how ice cream conjures up so many childhood memories for us all. Ps. Have you tried Larry and Luna's Coconut Bliss? My fave coconut ice cream!
Elin Roberts says
My favorite ice cream flavor, summer or not, is any chocolate. Since I'm not a mocha fan, can I just omit the expresso completely or do I need to add something else--maybe a shot of hot chocolate? Thanks for the opportunity to win this.
Kathy Patalsky says
Good point! You can absolutely omit the espresso and add a shot of hot chocolate or just sub in more soy milk. The espresso brings a nice bitter bite though, so maybe a hint of orange zest??? Hmm or maybe some vanilla bean. Just be sure to sub something for the liquid part. I almost did a ribbon of caramel too, that would also be really yummy. But yes! Espresso can be optional. Sub with another liquid. Chai tea or even roobios for caffeine free, maybe? 🙂
dara says
That was my question, but not because I don't want the flavor. I don't have espresso! So how can I finagle? If I use coffee extract/oil, how much do you think? And what amount of other liquid to make up for the lost "one shot"? And, and always, I really, really appreciate your recipes. You have a 100% success rate with me, and I share your blog with everyone who asks me about vegan cooking/baking!
Liz S. says
My favorite ice cream flavor this summer is Strawberry - might sound simple; but when it's made right without any nonsense shortcuts, it's decadently delicious (yet still refreshingly light). Perfect summer ice cream flavor.
Kathy Patalsky says
I totally agree Liz. When you really get that fresh strawberry flavor with loads of creaminess it is blissful! 🍓✨🍦
What should I eat for breakfas says
I only saw once when a friend used an ice cream maker 😀
Kathy Patalsky says
😹 they are magical. Totally making cashew ice cream next! Just stocked up on goodies at Whole Foods. Spent way too much.
Em says
Anything with chocolate and caramel. Can't go wrong with that combo.
Kathy Patalsky says
Agree! Back in the day my fave flavor at Baskin Robbins was Gold Medal Ribbon. Need to veganize that one!
Sandee says
Hi, Long time reader here. OMG, I never enter giveaways but this is the exact ice cream maker I've been eyeing for years. I would LOVE it, my favorite ice cream flavor has to be vanilla bean coconut ice cream. Thank you!
Kathy Patalsky says
Hi Sandee! Thank you for reading! 💗 Yum I love vanilla bean coconut milk too. Simple perfection. Good luck in the giveaway! And I had been eyeing an ice cream maker for a looooooooong time too. I guess I don't NEED it, but it is a lot of fun and totally works! I was impressed how great this recipe turned out with totally untraditional ice cream ingredients. I wish Cuisinart would update their recipe book. Most recipes have heavy cream, eggs and on and on. Only the sorbets were vegan options!
Sandee says
Awesome! Good to know because I need an ice cream maker to mostly make plant based (and always egg free) ice creams . You know how vegan ice creams can use more help with texture. This ice cream looks heavenly, I've always wanted to make an avocado based ice cream and this will definitely be the first recipe to try 🙂 (when I was pregnant, I remember eating almond milk mocha almond ice cream for breakfast one time ;)) ice cream makers are one of those things which you cannot decide are a must have or nice to have and that's what has kept me from going ahead and ordering one yet. I was reallllllyyyyy hoping they'll have a sale on amazon's prime day and I can use that as an excuse to get one but alas such a thing didn't happen 😉 (but I was stalking it enough for it to show up as advertisement on every web page I open lol)
PS: I love your recipes (I've made many and all of them have turned out great), but I also love the other things you post on your blog - they are filled with positivity and make me happy 💗
Kathy Patalsky says
Thank you for the kind words Sandee! And yes this ice cream has loads of texture from both the avocado and those dates. Yet since I blended it in my Vitamix is is super silky smooth. 👌