Before we settle into the "Ok, I'm ready for fall now" vibe, I want to squeeze in this super delicious dessert recipe for Salted Caramel Cashew Ice Cream. Before pumpkins, apples and fall spices start filling my recipe planning list, I think salted caramel in creamy ice cream form deserves a spotlight on my blog. One last swoon for ice cream..
I don't know about what you have been crushing on this summer, but for my husband and I it is cashew ice cream. Yup, it's a problem. Every since we discovered cashew ice cream (crazy, but I only just finally tried it a few months ago) we have been having one (small) cone after dinner basically every. single. night. It's just so good and hey, its' vegan right?? Just kidding. I stopped using that excuse to eat anything I wanted to a long time ago.
But really, cashew ice cream IS pretty healthy fare in terms of whole food ingredients. Cashews instead of high fat, cruelty-infused dairy? Any day please. And this ice cream is sweetened 100% with fruit, aka Medjool dates. I wasn't sure how that would turn out, but it is perfection. I love all the vanilla, cinnamon and salted caramel flavors all swirled together in each spoonful. Sprinkles on top..
This recipe brings the bliss of store-bought cashew ice cream to your ice cream maker. I hope you enjoy it!..
Ice cream cones. Here is the most serious question of them all: are you a plain cone, sugar cone or waffle cone type of person? For me.. I do love a waffle cone when I can find one that is homemade, vegan and gluten-free -- but since that rarely happens -- I am a plain cone girl. I love how light and crispy a plane cone it. Though when I was a kid, I preferred sugar cones. More sugar, right!?
And when it comes to sprinkles, there are actually a few vegan options. There are India Tree Sprinkles and then there are Edward and Sons Sprinkelz. I love both brands, but the India Tree ones have more vibrant colors. Both are vegan and all natural!
And of course you will need a high speed blender to blend the base: My favorite high-speed blender is a Vitamix.
And if you are REALLY into sprinkles.. this $40 tub o' sprinkles might be something to put on your wishlist.. lol
Enjoy this and let me know if you love cashew ice cream as much as me!
Salted Caramel Cashew Ice Cream
Ingredients
Caramel-Vanilla Ice Cream Base:
- 3 cups raw cashews, soaked in hot water for at least 2 hours
- 10 Medjool dates, pitted (I use Natural Delights)
- 1 teaspoon real vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups non-dairy milk (plain flavors)
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Salted Caramel Swirl:
- ¼ - 1 cup non-dairy milk (start with ¼ cup and add more as needed - will vary greatly based on how "dry" or soaked your dates are)
- ¼ teaspoon salt -- I use fleur de sel
Instructions
- Soak cashews for at least two hours in hot, salted water. If you have time, you can soak them overnight for even easier blending.
- When you are ready to make your ice cream, make sure your ice cream container (for your machine) is fully frozen.
- Soak your Medjool dates in warm water for a minute, then remove the pits. Add the pitted dates to a high speed blender or food processor.
- Add in the soaked 3 cups of cashews, followers by the non-dairy milk, vanilla and cinnamon.
- Blend until smooth and creamy. Then pour this mixture into your frozen ice cream machine container and turn your machine on.
- Rinse out your blender or food processor container to make the salted caramel swirl. Add all the salted caramel ingredients to the processing container. (Again, you want to soak the dates in warm water for a minute before pitting them. This helps to loosen and soften the flesh.) Blend until thick and creamy. Pour the salted caramel in a small bowl and place in the fridge until ready to swirl.
- Your ice cream should be ready in about 20 minutes, sometimes a bit more and sometimes less.
- When your ice cream is ready, pour it into a freezer-friendly container, like a glass loaf pan.
- Swirl the salted caramel sauce into the ice cream. Then place the ice cream in the freezer. Your ice cream and caramel should be ready to scoop and serve in about 20-30 minutes, depending on how cold your freezer is.
- Store leftovers, covered, in the freezer. This ice cream gets rock hard when fully frozen, so always allow at least ten minutes for it to soften on the counter before scooping.
Stephanie says
Hi, I would love to try this but there is something missing in the recipe. Under the ingredients for the caramel, you only have the non-dairy milk and salt listed. However, in your instructions it mentions dates as part of the ingredients. My question is, out of the 10 dates listed do some get reserved for the caramel sauce OR do we need to add more dates under the caramel sauce ingredients? Thanks
C E says
Hmm, this look really good, sugar free and vegan!!! But I think part of your recipe is missing. Do the 10 Medjool dates go into the ice cream base as listed in your "Carmel-vanilla ice cream base Ingredients" list, or do they go into the "Salted Carmel swirl" listed below it, which currently only lists two ingredients: non-dairy milk and salt. Dates are mentioned for the swirl but not an amount. The instructions below those "Ingredients" don't solve they mystery for me about the swirl.... Any corrections would be appreciated. Thanks!
Yasmine says
Hi there! What kind of non dairy milk did you use? Can I use homemade cashew milk for that or will it throw off the texture? How about coconut milk? Would that greatly alter the taste?
Thanks!!!
Heather McClees says
Those sprinkles are GORG! Love it! You have me hooked on ND dates, they really are awesome. Until I tried that brand, I didn't even think I liked dates! 🙂 Much love to you, sweets! <3
Kathy Patalsky says
Yay! I'm so glad! And the people behind the company (ND) are just so amazing so even better!! Love to you Heather! xo
The Wooden Spoon says
This sounds SO good! I love salted caramel anything!
Kathy Patalsky says
it is ridiculous. SO yummy.
Kathy Rogers says
Wow!!! I need to try this ASAP. Kathy, can you make this in a Vitamix or a Blendtec? Also, please forgive the "off-topic" question, but I'm finally going to get a high-speed blender soon. Do you recommend Vitamix over Blendtec? I did a search of the blog and saw your review of Blendtec a couple of years ago. (I tend to do too much research!) Of course I have read about your love of Vitamix!
Kathy Patalsky says
So I really prefer Vitamix for a BUNCH of reasons, but my main reason is that ultraslow speed that Vitamix achieves. The Blendtec just had TOO much power for me at times. I use the lowest speed a lot when adding ingredients to souces, dressing and smoothies, so it is a must have for me. Both brands are awesome, but I personally prefer Vitamix.
Kathy Rogers says
Thanks, Kathy! And thanks for the notice about the $249 reconditioned sale. I'm going for it! Will use your code to save the $14 shipping...great deal!
John Hartil says
Oh boy....this seems so delicious!
Kathy Patalsky says
Thanks John! It's pretty amazing and all without any added refined sugar!
What should I eat for breakfas says
I am definitely ready for this one!
Kathy Patalsky says
🙂 it's yummy!
Liz S. says
Oh yes, I LOVE cashew milk ice cream (especially the So Delicious products - perfection). Also love your recipe! And hey, ice cream is a treat that can be enjoyed year round - there are no rules on that (I honestly roll my eyes when people think that ice cream is a summertime-only treat); so don't apologize for going against a fall vibe (autumn/fall is my favorite season - hello, pumpkin ice cream & vanilla-cinnamon ice cream flavors!). And as for cones = I'm a bowl girl, not a cone girl. To me, cones are a waste (sorry) - I'm all about the ice cream! 🙂
Kathy Patalsky says
Ahaha I guess you are right. Ice cream and smoothies are year round goodies for me! Of course I live in Los Angeles... 🙂
Liz S. says
I live in Ohio. Eating ice cream indoors IS a thing 😉 Sorry, I'm not trying to come off as a jerk, but I just think it's important not to create a guilt association with once-in-a-while treats (not saying you're doing it - just the whole "you can only have ice cream in the summertime" belief that seems to be out there). You rock, Kathy!
Frederique says
LOL! without creating a debate, I don't think its about the "guilt" factor. Personally, when I have to put a sweater on in the house and my toes are frozen, if i want a sweet treat in the evening, I crave stuff like warm apple pie, fruit cobbler, spicy stuff like pumpking loaf or cranberry muffins straight out of the oven! Nothing STOPS me neither emotionally, physically or ethically from having ice cream in winter, but i do not crave it when im cold! same goes for ice tea - I drink liters of it in the summer, but in winter it is it's hot counterpart i suddenly crave liters of! That said, i can totally fathom warm apple pie in the winter... served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Liz S. says
Totally! You have the right, balanced approach to it 🙂 But as I'm sure you've seen in social media, there's a lot of "no ice cream ever" and "all sugar is bad" messages out there, and it's triggering. There's so many bad messages put out there, assuming everyone is on a diet or needs to avoid sugar. Personally, I'm very underweight and I don't have any sugar issues; so having REAL ice cream (still in a small portion, of course - no need or desire to eat a whole pint in one sitting, haha), whatever the time of year, shouldn't be judged. Ice cream recipes - especially Kathy's brilliant recipes - shouldn't stop being posted just because the seasons are changing 🙂
Kathy Patalsky says
Aw thank you so much Liz. That is a really sweet comment. Hope you are well. You sound incredibly aware of your body and needs so bravo to you. I totally agree that the no ice cream, aka NO SUGAR messages are frustrating. It even sinks into my brain and makes me feel bad. But here is the thing. That little indulgence after dinner of sugar does make me happy. And those happy endorphins make me feel good. It is all about balance. I actually DIDN'T have ice cream last night haha and felt very proud of myself. Your body will tell you what it wants and what makes it feel good. Even if society thinks otherwise. 🙂
Liz S. says
You said it best! And thank YOU for being a positive influence in the blog world. This is why I look forward to your posts. Balanced indulgences are little extras in life that should be enjoyed, not feared or shunned 🙂