Smooth.
Creamy.
Sweet, drippy ice cream, cascading into a delicious pool of vanilla.
Yeah, it’s winter. But I can’t keep this dreamy recipe to myself for the next four months. And actually, I really like eating ice cream in the winter.
One of my favorite memories is of a Christmas my family spent with relatives in Italy. The weather was bitter cold and rainy, and yet we knew it’d be a sin to leave without sampling the famed Italian gelato. Therefore—decked in hats, scarves, and heavy coats—we sat in a little gelateria, clumsily using gloved hands to spoon the rich, creamy dessert into our mouths. I’ve never tasted ice cream as delectable as on that blustery December day.
Perhaps this memory is what prompted me to pull out my ice cream maker a few days ago, in the ugliest weather we’ve experienced so far this year. The frustrating thing about ice cream makers is that you can really only make one batch per day, since the base needs to be completely frozen for optimum performance.
And I am not a patient person! If a recipe experiment doesn’t come out perfectly the first time, I immediately want to try again. My first attempt at making a healthy, non-dairy ice cream was awful. Loosely following a recipe from The New York Times, I mixed cornstarch in with my almond milk. The result was not an ice cream; it was a paste! In my second attempt, I reduced the amount of cornstarch, but it was still pasty. So, on day three, I omitted the cornstarch altogether…
Perfect!!
Feel free to customize this basic recipe any way you want, to make it yours! Add cocoa powder for chocolate ice cream, berries for a sherbet, or even crushed candy canes and peppermint extract for a Christmas treat.
Four-Ingredient Ice Cream
(Can be any flavor!)
- 2 cups milk-of-choice or nondairy creamer or coconut milk (see note below)
- 1/4 cup agave, maple syrup, or other sweetener (brown sugar is really good)
- 1 packet stevia (omit if using agave or maple syrup)
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1 and 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- optional ingredients for whatever flavor you desire
Mix all ingredients (except optional ingredients, if they are chunky) in a dish. Then simply transfer to your ice cream maker and watch the magic! (I have a Cuisinart, and it took 15 minutes to turn the liquid into ice cream. Warning: Make sure your ice cream maker’s base is completely frozen before use, or it will NOT work!!)
Click to see the recipe’s Calorie Information.
A word about the milk: This tastes delicious if you use only Blue Diamond almond milk, but the texture is more foam-y (in a good way, if that makes sense!) than creamy. If you use only nondairy creamer or full-fat canned coconut milk, the texture is more like ice cream. (Brand ideas include: Silk creamer, So Delicious creamer, or Good Karma.) If not serving right away, be sure to thaw a little if your freezer is super-cold. (Also, don’t use Silk almondmilk. And I’d probably stay away from fat-free milks, such as ricemilk.)
Edit: If you are using all almond milk and still want it creamy (not foamy), you can freeze the ice cream and then re-blend it in a Vita-Mix. The end result is incredibly creamy, without the fat and calories of using the coconut milk or creamer.
Question of the Day:
Do you have a favorite ice cream flavor?
Mine’s always been mint-chocolate chip. But plain chocolate is a close second. Coconut’s good, too! And cookie dough, peanut butter, cookies-n-cream… probably the only flavors I’m not big on are sorbets or sherbets.
Here’s a list of flavors: My Ice Cream Recipes.
(All of the recipes in the above link can be made without an ice-cream maker.)
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I also liked you on Facebook…..dessert is so much fun!!! Happy Holiday!!!
Can’t wait to try this recipe and would love to win the ice cream maker. I would customize with chocolate (cocoa powder) and crushed candy canes…a combination I love for the holidays!
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I would add lots of chocolate and a big spoonful of peanut butter!
I would love to make a chocolate chocolate chip with raspberries added. YUM!
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I would add frozen strawberries! I LOVE strawberry ice cream!
… aaand I’m subscribed to you by email already too!
(I don’t have Twitter, though, so no extra entry from that, haha.)
What about soaking some raisins in rum, draining them off and making rum raison ice cream for Christmas?
I would love chocolate peppermint! YUM YUM!! Thanks for offering such a great giveaway
I love the idea of using coconut milk for this! I can’t wait to try it with home-made peppermint bark chips! I like to make the bark with a ganache in the center of the two layers of white chocolate and crushed candy canes. Softer on the teeth and a great creamy surprise…. yum
I layer Melted white chocolate on top of wax-paper lined baking sheet, sprinkle crushed candy canes and chill.
Then, melt semi-sweet nestles chips over double boiler and add liquor of your choice (I like Kahlua or peppermint schnaps) and some heavy cream (or dairy-free substitute of your choice) to make ganache. Pour over the chilled white chocolate layer and re-place into fridge.
Finally, I repeat white chocolate layer (more crushed candy canes) and chill till set. Break up into pieces and add to Ice-cream!!!!
I would add some dark chocolate chips and add some espresso/coffee!
I would definitely add some kind of chocolate!!
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I would make a dark chocolate-coconut ice cream! Awesome give-away BTW!
I would add some expresso and mini chocolate chips OR some PB2 to make it peanut butter.
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cOfee chcolate chip or cinnamon
I’d add a bit of cocoa, shredded coconut, and walnuts!
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I would add strawberry jam and chocolate chips
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I’d love to try this recipe with amaretto and bing cherries! I think that would be so delicious!!
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I would love to win the ice cream maker! I make all your recipes and lifting weight as much as I do I like to add in protein powder – chocolate myofusion to be exact – so yummy! It makes a great Post workout when paired with the brownie I make with just the pp and water! Thanks for the chance, would be put to great use at my house!
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I would definitely use this to either make some ridiculous chocolate peanut butter ice cream, pumpkin spice (because I STILL can’t get enough of the pumpkin recipes…) OR some egg-free nog ice cream (tis the season!) Mmmmm.
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I’d love to add toasted shredded coconut to the ice cream!
Coconut = YUM!
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I subscribed to your e-mails!
I get your emails and enjoy them so much!
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I would add in a million different flavor extracts. The possibilities are endless!
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Since I am a chocolate lover too, I would add some chunks of my healthy chocolate brownie bites to it and for my husband I would add some strawberry and banana chunks!! So many options to make this even more delicous!!
Ohh man. There’s ENDLESS possibilities to customize this ice cream! I think I’d first stick with the healthier options… such as add raspberries. Although, adding chocolate and peanut butter is awfully tempting.
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I would make fresh strawberry ice cream, mmm….
And in the interest of winning an epic-awesome ice cream maker –
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I would add chocolate!!!
That ice cream looks so good! I think I’d probably add some chunks of peach to mine
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I would probably add some nutella
Right now I would crush candy canes and add. The rest of the year I would probably add mocha powder or straight coffee.
I would love to make a candy cane version of this! I would crush up a few organic vegan candy canes and maybe add some peppermint extract!
And of course I would add some chocolate!! YUMM
Fun giveaway!! Thank you, thank you for this chance! I’ve always wanted one.
I’d definitely have to make Snicker’s ice cream as best I could. That stuff is heaven.
I would (and probably will) make as many flavors as possible in the summer. Chocolate coconut almond? Cherry chocolate chunk? Apple-pie? Or just Vanilla with chocolate sauce (childhood FAVE). I’d love to win the give-away, but now I’m mostly just excited about all the ice cream I’m going to make this summer.
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Mmm ice cream- my two favorite words! I would definitely make a mocha flavored ice cream- some coffee and chocolate flavor thrown in. Also I would do key lime pie flavor and even throw in some spinach for some nutrition and color ;p. OH and a nutella flavored one (a mix of hazelnut and chocolate) would also be glorious. Goodness the endless possibilities are mind boggling
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Oh my gosh, this ice cream maker is on my Christmas wish list! We just tried an easy 3 ingredient recipe at my cousins house (they got one for their wedding, which is why I added it to my wish list)! Sweetened condensed milk, half and half, and vanilla. Of course to make it 4 ingredients you’d add something in like Oreo’s! Healthy goes out the window though, lol!
After trying everything you mentioned already, I would probably try some sort of Kinder Bueno form of ice cream, with hazelnut and chocolate (and probably peanut butter, since I add peanut butter to everything)
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I would add peanut butter brownie bites to the mix
I’d add some dark chocolate chips. Yum!
Ground dark chocolate and coffee beans. Poor man’s (or woman’s) chocolate caffeine fix! YUM!! (thank you, chocolate covered Katie! You have inspired my new whole foods goodness diet. I haven’t done it without you, because it wouldn’t be near as delicious or fun!) THANK-YOU
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Adding peanut butter or mint…probably not at the same time.
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Would love to win the ice cream maker!
Ground dark chocolate and coffee beans. Poor man’s (or woman’s) chocolate cool caffeine fix. YUM!! (thank you, chocolate covered Katie! You have inspired my new whole foods goodness diet. I haven’t done it without you, because it wouldn’t be near as delicious or fun!) THANK-YOU
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wow i was going to comment saying mint chocolate chip anyone? then saw you put that was your favorite flavor. but yes, mint is what i would add because i love anything mint! maybe peppermints too!
I would LOVE to win an ice cream maker! I’ve been dying to try out your healthy homemade ice cream recipes. I think I would try to customize the recipe to make a peanut butter chocolate flavor (my favorite sweet and salty combo!). Thanks for a great giveaway!
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With your recipie I would make my favorite Ice cream of all time- Almond Joy Ice Cream
I would use coconut extract with chocolate chips and almonds. I would probably add your whipped cream recipie to top it off
Thank you for what you do!
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Add coconut flakes and a little coconut extract to make a truly tropical flavor.
Mmm I’d add chocolate chips!
I would LOVE any pb and dark chocolate combo!
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I would add in some peanut butter! Mmmm!
I would add some nutmeg and bourbon to make an eggnog flavor.
I would make peanut butter icecream with chocolate chunks in it.
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Mm… I think I’d try it with a swirl of honey. I’m moving out soon and have way too much kicking around to use up completely
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I’d make it with coconut milk and add coconut, dark chocolate chips, and almonds:)
Well this isn’t my favorite flavor (because honestly I’m not sure if it exists) but it’d be so yummy to add a splash of rum,bourbon,and nutmeg and then mix in spiced molasses ribbons to make Eggnog Molasses Swirl ice cream!
Mint Chocolate is my favorite too, but I also love chocolate peanut butter ice cream (like Purely Decadent Peanut Butter Zig Zag). If you could come up with a way to make that, I’d be swooning!
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What about your Canadian fans? Are we not eligible??? I like you on FB as well. BTW mint chocolate is my favourite…I would love to try your recipe! And maybe if I don’t win one, then I’ll buy it!! Being lactose intolerant this would come in handy!!
I would try chocolate chips in the recipe.
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One word: Pumpkin!
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I would put mini m&m’s in it
I am excited I get your emails now, I didn’t know you had that option!
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I would add in peanut butter!!!!
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I love coconut ice cream so I’m going to try this with some toasted shredded coconut and coconut milk!
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I tweeted.
I think I would add peanut butter to the ice cream and then perhaps roll the cookie dough dip (without the soy milk so it is firmer) into little bites to create a Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Peanut Butter ice cream option. Mmmm.
I would add ground almonds and dark chocolate chunks!
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My favorite ice cream is without a doubt Starbuck’s Java Chip. Instead of REAL chocolate I would substitute carob chips; a slightly healthier alternative, but just as yummy!
I love coconut so I’m going to try this with toasted shredded coconut and coconut milk!
I would add cocoa powder, swirls of agave caramel syrup and pieces of chocolate fudge babies. Yum!
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Wow a Cuisinart ice-cream maker giveaway- thanks CCK! How would I customize your recipe? Hmm… it might sound strange, but I would try chopping up some fresh herbs (like basil) and adding that into the mix before putting it into the machine. OR, I’d add some organic powdered ginger… the possibilities… yum!
I’d add peppermint for a holiday flavor!
i would add chocolate, caramel ( or Dulche de leche) and pecans.
Turtle ice cream would not last long in my house.
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I think I would throw in some candy canes for a wintery treat to have with some warm pie! mmmmm
Hands down, my FAVORITE ice cream is coffee! I’d throw a shot in there and be in heaven!
I would add cocoa powder, swirls of agave caramel syrup and pieces of fudge babies. Yum!
my favorite dark chocolate right now is a peppermint flavor by endangered species. Peppermint ice cream with peppermint dark chocolate chunks would hit the spot this holiday season
yumm
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Mine would be coffee flavored…. with candy cane topping. Yumz
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I would put some mochi and chocolate chips in my ice cream! I love adding them to fro-yo, but I bet in ice cream, it would be even better!
I’d love an ice cream maker to make this recipe!
I would add amaretto and maraschino cherries to coconut milk. This ice cream maker has been on my wish list for eons!! Here’s hoping!
I would throw in dark chocolate pomegranate seeds, chocolate fudge, and pistachios
I would like to try making a red velvet cake ice cream or a cake batter flavor since I finally found butter extract! Yum yum yum, thanks for the chance to win
i would absolutely love this ice cream maker!!
s’mores – using the graham crackers from your recipe and dark chocolate/cocoa powder and vegan marshmallows yum! : )
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I would make cake-batter ice cream! Yum! I don’t usually like commercial ice cream because I don’t like dairy- making my own from almond or coconut milk would be awesome!
Cookie dough ice cream is my fav!! Yum!
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I’d add a few tablespoons of pistachio paste and 2 tablespoons of crushed pistachios to make pistachio ice cream!
Thanks for such a great healthy recipe! I would love to win a ice cream maker!!! I would try to add chopped pecans and caramel sauce….yummy!
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I would love to try this with bits of raspberry, dark chocolate and salty Brazil nuts. Sweet, salty and chocolate, my favorite combination!
I think I would add a couple tablespoons of peanut butter! I am addicted to the stuff, so that’s what I would do
(and extra chocolate chips!!)
Customize this, eh? Mmmm. I’d probably add peppermint extract and some mini chocolate chips. Yum!
Thanks for such a great healthy recipe! I would love to win a ice cream maker!!! I would try to add chopped pecans and caramel sauce….yummy! Adding you to my facebook friends!
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I would love to try to customizing this ice cream. I love chai lattes, and I think that would be a great, fall flavor!
Hmmm, how would I customize the recipe…
Well, for one, I’d LOVE to do a frozen YOGURT instead of ice cream!
I’m thinking of trying to do a tart frozen yogurt sweetened with honey, add vanilla, and add granola as a mix in
I also would love to do a GINGERBREAD ice cream or frozen yogurt using gingerbread spices and even some candied ginger in the ice cream (I looooove ginger).
Lastly – PEPPERMINT ice cream or frozen yogurt using crushed up peppermint candies and some peppermint extract! Peppermint ice cream is one of my favorites
well since I love pumpkin,I would make it pumpkin-chocolate flavor by adding pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice, vanilla extract..and then add in some crushed cinnamon graham crackers and chocolate chips!
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I’m going to have to ask Santa for an ice cream maker (if i can’t win one). I want to try this with my fresh-made almond milk. And I’m thinking pumpkin spice would be yummy.
Ever since reading about your icecream endeavors, I’ve been making it in my vitamix! I love icecream, but have a dairy allergy, so you’ve made me one happy girl.
In response to your giveaway, my favorite add-ins are rum soaked raisins and freshly grated nutmeg. Ahhh, like eggnog! I also like to throw in a huge handful of dates for a caramel-like flavor.
Thanks, Katie!
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Yay for an awesome non-dairy ice cream recipe! Giving up ice cream was the hardest part of going dairy-free for me. I keep trying to convince my friends and family that non-dairy alternatives can be just as good, and I think this may be the key to doing so! I’m a Louisiana girl so pecans toasted in brown sugar are a favorite mix-in (a la pralines!) but I can never say no to cookie dough (easy PB cookie recipe, I’m looking at you!)
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i’d add cookie dough! or mint extract/chocolate chips
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An ice cream maker would be amazing to win!! I would probably customize the recipe by adding cherry chunks, cocoa powder, and almond butter:) Cherry chocolate almond ice cream–yum!
Yum! I would definitely add some crushed Oreos and Andes Chocolate mints. Mint Cookie Crumble is my absolute favorite!
Cashews and blueberries
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I would add coconut flakes and coffee to your recipe. I love the two flavors mixed together!! Additionally I’m already a FB follower & email subscriber. Merriest of
holidays to you and yours!!!
4 ingredients are AWESOME!!!
Since Agave and me are not friends I would probably use one of the SF Torani syrups (Mmmmmmmm Almond Roca syrup) and add some vanilla protein powder for a little bit of fullness. I have to whip some up now..(well, not right now. I think after work will suffice)
Cindy
I’d add some peanut butter coconut oil and chocolate chips!
I would add strawberries!
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This is such a great sounding recpie. I just wish I had an ice cream maker to get creative with it. I would probably add cocoa nibs and roasted brazil nuts and chunks of dark chocolate to the base recipe for my first variation. But the possibilities are endless. Great post
I would add Oreo’s to this recipe, cookies and cream is my favorite!!!
Crushed up Candy Canes and a touch of peppermint extract!
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I would make vegan peanut butter cup ice cream. Or make your cookie dough (which I am addicted to btw) and swirl it around in vanilla ice cream. Or vegan egg nog ice cream! In short I would pretty much eat nothing but ice cream for quite a while. How many times can I say ice cream in one comment?
I would add some of your peanut butter cookie dough to make PB Cookie Dough Ice cream!
I love pistachio ice cream so I would add a little pistachio butter and a few chopped nuts.
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Mmm this looks great!! I would try some butter pecan version!
I would add cocoa to the mix and some nuts!
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(Sorry, I wasn’t sure if I needed to post three separate comments since I met your three criteria)
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PECAN PRALINE. Every day, all day. If only I had an ice cream maker!
I really like my ice cream with chunks of cookie dough or peanut butter. I’d love to try adding in some peanut butter cookie dough into this ice cream recipe!
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i would love to add some chai mix. that would be delectable.
I would love to win the ice cream maker! I would make some ice cream by using coconut milk and adding cocoa powder. Or I would add espresso and chocolate! Yummy!
OOOh, so many ideas to customize with! (If I won of course)
I would definitely try with coconut milk and then I would try with pure maple syrup and extra maple flavor and maybe add chopped pecans and then maybe cherries and chocolate chips and then….
I would definitely be making some GF edible, “raw” cookie dough to put in there! And some peanuts for crunch!
Tesco direct is part of one the biggest supermarket chains in the UK! I would customise my ice cream by adding leftover broken up christmas pudding into a brandy ice cream base, or maybe a deconstructed mince pie one with ingredients such as- mincemeat (I think you’ll know what this is given you’ve lived in Britain?), maybe some mince pie crust and marzipan swirled in…. or pumpkin and cranberry?! I’d love to be able to make the variety of flavours that exist for dairy ice creams but sadly not for the extremely limited range of vegan ones we have over here ;(
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I would have to make mine with coconut milk, shredded coconut, chocolate chunks and almonds! Yum yum!!
i would adapt for chocolate peanut butter…my favourite ice cream
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