Vegan Chunky Monkey Ice Cream
This vegan chunky monkey ice cream is a copycat recipe of the classic Ben & Jerry's flavour. Filled with fresh banana flavour and chunks of chocolate and walnuts, you would never guess that this delicious treat is gluten and dairy-free.
Servings: 1 pint
Equipment
- High-power blender
- Ice cream maker
Ingredients
- 1 can full fat coconut milk chilled in the fridge overnight
- 1 cup raw, unsalted cashews soaked in boiling water for at least 30 minutes prior to prep, or even overnight
- 2 ripe bananas
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- 1½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ scant tsp xanthan gum
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup chocolate chips ensure they are dairy-free, I like dark or semisweet
- ½ cup chopped unsalted walnuts
Instructions
Overnight Prep
- Ensure you've done any prep required to use your ice cream machine. This may include placing the churning bowl in the freezer the night before. Also place your can of coconut milk in the fridge the night before, and ensure the cashews have at least 30 minutes to soak, or even overnight as well.
Blending the Ingredients
- Begin by removing the chilled coconut cream and adding it to the container of a blender. You only want the thick white cream. Discard the coconut water or save for a smoothie. Drain the soaking water from the cashews, rinse briefly, and add the cashews to the blender.
- Add the bananas, maple syrup, vanilla extract, xanthan gum, and salt to the blender. Blend on medium-high speed for at least 1-2 minutes until completely smooth. Place the blender container in the fridge while you set up the ice cream machine, but for no longer than 30 minutes.
Churning & Storage
- Prepare your ice cream maker according to its instructions and begin churning. Remove the blender container from the fridge and use a rubber spatula to transfer the mixture to the ice cream machine. Ensure the machine is churning while you pour it in so that the ice cream does not immediately freeze to the bowl. Allow to churn for 45 minutes to an hour, until it is of soft serve consistency and is relatively solid around the churning blades.
- Remove churning blades and fold in the chocolate chips and walnuts. Enjoy immediately as soft serve, or place in a plastic airtight container/ covered loaf tin and freeze to enjoy later. Allow to thaw for 10-15 minutes before enjoying from the freezer. Scoop and enjoy in a bowl or gluten-free cone!
Notes
Storage
Vegan Chunky Monkey Ice Cream will keep in the freezer in an airtight container for 1 month. Let thaw for 10-15 minutes before enjoying.