We've had more than one reader asking us to hold the cream this month. Even though it's Ice Cream Month, some readers can't have dairy in their diet and they're curious: what are the best dairy-free ice cream recipes? Here's one question from reader Jasie. She says: An ice cream question - does anyone have any good recipes for dairy-free ice cream?
I'm a new mom and my daughter has an allergy to cow's protein - which means no milk, butter, cheese, yogurt or, gasp, ice cream for me! I would love to know if anyone has recipes for a frozen treat (I guess "ice cream" might be a stretch) that doesn't use any cow products, though eggs are ok.
Some tips, another question, and recipe links after the jump. We really want feedback from the crowd on this one!
Reader applebranch asks a similar question, but specifically about our recent recipe for custard ice cream base. She asks: What I wanted to know was whether the custard ice cream base would work with soy milk, too...?
Well, you both are in luck, because the very first entry in our Best Lick! 2008 Ice Cream recipe contest is a vegan recipe made with coconut milk. Check it out:
• Roasted Apricot Ice Cream with Almond Praline Ripple
Take a look at the ice cream base there to see how you could tweak it for other non-dairy ice creams. We know from experience that coconut milk is very good in ice cream.
As far as using soy milk in a regular custard base, though - we are not sure. Has anyone here ever tried this?
And finally, if you need something sweet with absolutely no dairy, there are always sorbets, granitas, and juice popsicles. Here are some of our favorite recipes from the site:
Sorbets & Popsicles
• Basic Lemon Sorbet
• Spiked Lemon Ginger Sorbet
• Basil or Mint Sorbet
• Spiced Apple Cider Sorbet
• Sarsaparilla Sorbet
• Watermelon Popsicles
OK, more ideas from the readers? What are the best non-dairy ice cream recipes you've had? Links and recipes welcome!
Related: On Dietary Restrictions
This is really easy and quick--both good for new parents! Dump a handful of frozen mango chunks into a food processor. Add 1 medium banana and a splash of soy milk/ rice milk/coconut milk. Blend until smooth. Serve immediately.
view anujin's profile
For the reader whose daughter is allergic to a protein in cow's milk, is she also allergic to goat's milk? Butter, cheese, yogurt, and ice cream are all available in goat's milk versions, with a little searching.
view benfest's profile
I avoid dairy products due to a mild allergy also. I love making ice cream, and I frequently use soy creamer in place of milk (the Silk brand is what I find available most often). The soy creamer is thicker and has more fat than regular soy milk, and this helps with taste and consistency. I sometimes use regular soy milk in a custard base, and the eggs go a long way to creating a creamier consistency. In general I just substitute soy creamer for whatever amount of milk in any recipe - not perfect, but easy and almost always tasty.
view Miss L's profile
if you're looking for some good ice cream recipes that are vegan (and therefore dairy-free) check out the blog, a vegan ice cream paradise. she hasn't posted in a while but there's quite a few good recipes on there!
http://veganicecream.blogspot.com/
view gleek's profile
Great question! Jasie, you have my sympathy. I'm in the same boat. I learned that my now-five-month-old Will has a sensitivity to dairy protein right after I got an ice cream maker. How cruel is that?
But I was chatting with my mom about this recently, and she said that she's tried ice cream made from goat's milk, and it was delicious. I just picked up a container of whole goat's milk today and am planning to test it out in the next day or so. I'll try to remember to come back here with my results.
(I'm also going to check out that vegan ice cream site. Thanks, gleek!)
view TammyE's profile
A month or two bag the magazine Vegetarian Times had a few dairy free ice cream recipes. I only ever got around to making the peanut butter ice cream using coconut milk, but it was delicious! I highly recommend checking it out.
view jamielynnhollis's profile
I have made coconut milk-based ice creams before. They are delicious! They are basically sorbets made with simple syrup.
view matchbookhymnal's profile
I've not made ice cream at home, yet. I will soon though. That said, the store bought coconut milk ice creams are FANTASTIC. I can't tell the difference between it and dairy ice cream.
view hobsy's profile