Vegan Chocolate Ice Cream

Get out the ice cream maker that you bought that one time and haven’t used in 10 years. You know the one! It most likely has dust buildup and has not seen the light of day since the release of the iPhone 4. An ice cream maker is a fun kitchen appliance that doesn’t take up a lot of space and can help you create a classic dessert. Just make sure that you freeze the base for a couple days to ensure that it doesn’t melt when you turn it on to churn the ice cream.

Unlike store bought ice cream recipes, this one is actually healthy. Besides the addictive chocolatey flavor, it is wonderfully smooth and creamy. It doesn’t weight you down, either! Because the base is coconut milk, which has lots of healthy fats, you don’t mindlessly eat a huge amount. The fats actually help to fill you up and prevent you from overeating. If only every dessert was like that! You can the healthy fat and protein content of this ice cream by topping it with natural almond or peanut butter. Cacao nibs atop your ice cream also add antioxidants and a hint of bitterness that complements the sweeter, slightly nutty flavor.

Raw cacao powder can be a little intense if you have never had it before. There is, however, enough agave nectar in this chocolate ice cream and it brings enough sweetness to the party. Before you pour the blended mixture into the churner, taste and see if it is sweet enough for your liking. You can always add another squeeze of agave if necessary.