Vegan ice cream is a type of frozen dessert that is made without any animal products, such as milk, cream, eggs, or honey. Instead, the ice cream is typically made with plant-based ingredients, such as soy milk, almond milk, coconut milk, or oat milk, as well as other ingredients like sugar, fruit, and various flavorings. It can be enjoyed just as regular ice cream and is suitable for vegans and people who are lactose intolerant.
If you’re looking for other vegan snacks you can try this vegan snack button to randomly select a vegan snack.
Is Vegan Ice Cream Gluten Free?
Some vegan ice cream may be gluten-free, while others may not be. It depends on the specific ingredients used in the recipe. Many vegan ice creams are made with ingredients that are naturally gluten-free, such as coconut milk, almond milk, or soy milk. However, some brands may use gluten-containing ingredients, such as oats that have been processed in a facility that also processes wheat, barley, or rye. Therefore, it’s always recommended to check the label or ask the manufacturer to confirm if the ice cream is gluten-free.
What are some vegan ice cream brands?
There are many brands that offer vegan options. Some popular brands include:
- Ben & Jerry’s: They have a line of non-dairy ice cream made with almond milk.
- So Delicious: They offer a wide range of vegan options made with coconut milk, almond milk, and soy milk.
- NadaMoo!: This brand makes ice cream using organic coconut milk.
- Almond Dream: They offer almond milk-based ice cream.
- Coconut Bliss: They offer organic, non-dairy, gluten-free ice cream made from coconut milk.
- Tofutti: They offer a variety of vegan options, including soy-based ice cream
- Haagen-Dazs: They have a line of non-dairy ice cream made with almond milk.
This is not an exhaustive list, there are many other brands that offer vegan options, and more are emerging as the demand for plant-based options increases.
What is JD’s Vegan Ice Cream?
Jermaine Dupri, is an American rapper, songwriter, and record producer, and has ventured into the vegan space with his brand called JD’s Vegan. It is a brand owned by Big Innovations Group Inc. and JD Vegan ice cream has a exclusive deal with Wal-mart.
JD’s Vegan ice cream comes in several flavors including apple butter, cookies and cream, chocolate my way, strawberry sweetheart, key lime pie, and “welcome to Atlanta, peach cobbler”. As a Georgia Tech alum, I am all too familiar with peach cobbler and I think there is no one better than Jermaine Dupri to have a peach cobbler flavored vegan ice cream. That is an very specific niche, and I’m a little bit surprised that this rap mogul has gotten into vegan ice cream, but more power to him. I just hope he decides to put up a whole bunch of vegan ice cream vending machines across Atlanta (and the rest of the US).
Ben and Jerry’s Vegan Ice Cream
Ben & Jerry’s is a well-known brand of ice cream that offers a variety of flavors. As of 2021, Ben & Jerry’s has a line of non-dairy ice cream, made with almond milk that is vegan. They have a variety of flavors such as Chocolate Fudge Brownie, P.B. & Cookies, and Chunky Monkey, among others. They use a variety of ingredients such as nuts, fruits and chocolate to create unique and delicious flavors. They also continue to expand their non-dairy line and are constantly developing new flavors. It’s always a good idea to check the package or the Ben & Jerry’s website for the most up-to-date information on their vegan options.
Van Leeuwen Vegan Ice Cream
Van Leeuwen is a brand of vegan ice cream that originated in Brooklyn, New York. They use a variety of plant-based milks, such as coconut milk, almond milk, and oat milk, to create a wide range of flavors. They also use organic ingredients, such as fruits and nuts, to create unique and delicious flavors. They offer both pints and ice cream trucks, Van Leeuwen have a variety of classic and unique flavors and also have a large selection of vegan ice cream sandwiches and vegan ice cream sundaes. They are known for their high-quality, delicious, and creamy vegan ice cream that many people consider a great alternative to traditional dairy ice cream.
Vegan Ice Cream Sandwiches
Vegan ice cream sandwiches are a type of frozen dessert that are made without any animal products and are typically gluten-free. They are made by sandwiching a layer of vegan ice cream between two cookies or wafers. They can be found in various flavors and varieties, such as chocolate chip, vanilla, mint, and more. Some popular brands that offer vegan ice cream sandwiches include NadaMoo!, So Delicious, and Van Leeuwen. Some ice cream shops also offer homemade vegan ice cream sandwiches made with gluten-free cookies or wafers. Vegan ice cream sandwiches are a delicious and convenient treat for vegans and people with dietary restrictions, and are also a good alternative for those looking for a less heavy and less sugary dessert.
Sugar Free Vegan Ice Cream
Sugar-free vegan ice cream is a type of frozen dessert that is made without any animal products and without any added sugar. Instead, it is typically sweetened with natural sweeteners such as stevia, erythritol, or xylitol. Some brands also use alternative sweeteners like dates, maple syrup, or agave nectar. Some popular brands that offer sugar-free vegan ice cream include So Delicious, Arctic Zero, and NadaMoo! Some small-scale producers also offer sugar-free vegan ice cream. It is worth noting that sugar-free does not always mean calorie-free, so it is always important to check the nutrition information and ingredients list on the packaging. Additionally, some people may find that sweeteners like stevia or erythritol have a slightly different taste than sugar, so it’s a matter of personal preference.
Baskin Robbins Vegan Ice Cream
Baskin-Robbins is a well-known global chain of ice cream and cake specialty shops. As of 2021, Baskin-Robbins did not offer any vegan ice cream options. However, they did offer some non-dairy ice cream options, such as sorbets, which are made with fruit and do not contain any dairy. They also have a line of frozen treats called “non-dairy indulgences” that are made with almond milk. However, it’s worth to check with the store or their website, as some stores or locations might have started offering vegan options or test them in certain regions.
Cold Stone Vegan Ice Cream
Cold Stone Creamery is a chain of ice cream parlors that serves customized ice cream and other frozen desserts. As of 2021, Cold Stone Creamery did not offer any vegan ice cream options. However, they did offer some non-dairy ice cream options, such as sorbets, which are made with fruit and do not contain any dairy. They also have a line of frozen treats called “non-dairy indulgences” that are made with almond milk. However, it’s worth to check with the store or their website, as some stores or locations might have started offering vegan options or test them in certain regions.
Trader Joe’s Vegan Ice Cream
Trader Joe’s is a retail grocery chain that offers a variety of products, including frozen foods. They do offer vegan ice cream options, which are made without any animal products. Trader Joe’s carries a variety of vegan ice cream options, including soy-based, coconut-based, and almond-based ice cream. They also offer a variety of flavors, such as vanilla, chocolate, and mint chip. They also carry non-dairy ice cream bars and non-dairy ice cream sandwiches. These options are constantly changing and being updated, so it’s a good idea to check their website or in-store for their latest vegan ice cream options.
A Vegan Ice Cream Recipe You Can Make at Home
There are many ways to make vegan ice cream at home, but one easy recipe you can try is:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of coconut milk (full-fat)
- 1 cup of almond milk (unsweetened)
- 1/2 cup of maple syrup or agave nectar
- 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
- your desired flavorings, such as fruit, chocolate chips, nuts, etc.
Instructions:
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the coconut milk, almond milk, sweetener, vanilla extract, and salt until well combined.
- Add your desired flavorings to the mixture and stir until evenly distributed.
- Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Once churned, transfer the ice cream to a container and freeze for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Once frozen, take the ice cream out of the freezer for about 10-15 minutes before scooping to allow it to soften.
- Enjoy your homemade vegan ice cream.
Note: If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you can also make this recipe using the “no churn” method by freezing the mixture in a loaf pan and stirring it every 30 minutes for about 2-3 hours until it reaches the desired consistency.
This is a basic recipe and you can experiment with different types of plant-based milks, sweeteners and add-ins to find the combination that you like best.
Vegan Ice Cream Cake Recipe
A vegan ice cream cake is a type of frozen dessert that is made without any animal products. It is typically made with a crust made of crushed cookies or graham crackers, layered with vegan ice cream, and topped with a variety of toppings such as fruits, chocolate, nuts or other vegan-friendly ingredients.
Here’s a basic recipe you can try:
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups of vegan cookie crumbs (such as graham crackers or oreos)
- 1/4 cup of vegan butter, melted
- 4 cups of vegan ice cream, softened
- 1/2 cup of fruit preserves (optional)
- 1/2 cup of vegan chocolate chips or chopped nuts (optional)
Instructions:
- Line a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the cookie crumbs and melted butter. Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan, and press it up the sides of the pan to form the crust.
- Spread a layer of softened vegan ice cream over the crust, smoothing it out with a spatula.
- If using, spread a layer of fruit preserves over the ice cream.
- Repeat the layers with more vegan ice cream and preserves, if desired, until you reach the top of the pan.
- Sprinkle the top with vegan chocolate chips or chopped nuts, if desired.
- Cover the pan with plastic wrap and freeze for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
- Remove the cake from the freezer 15-20 minutes before serving to allow it to soften.
- Enjoy your homemade vegan ice cream cake!
You can use different types of vegan ice cream and experiment with different crusts and toppings to suit your taste.