Creamy vanilla ice cream + rich & decadent hot fudge sauce + chopped almonds = pure bliss. Seriously. You just can't go wrong with vanilla and chocolate.
I'm very much an emotional eater; I've always been one, although I've curved it a lot over the last several years (or attempted to). Some days though, despite what is going on in life, I just want to eat a big bowl of ice cream. You know? It just makes everything better.
I quit buying store-bought dairy free ice cream a while ago. Not because it didn't taste good (well, for the most part anyways), but because of what was in it (soy, xanthan/guar gums, sugar, agave, "natural flavors")... and the cost. A family of four can completely decimate 1-2 of those little pint-sized containers in one night with no problems.
I figure if I can make something healthier here at home, that's nearly entirely sweetened using dates and stevia, that the whole family LOVES, then why not?
And in my opinion, the more ice cream in my freezer, the better. 🙂
Course, as with most dairy free, egg free ice cream recipes, this Vegan & Paleo Fudge Tracks Ice Cream will be creamiest when it's at a soft serve consistency. It's how I prefer to eat it. If your ice cream has been sitting in the freezer for a while and is hard, simply let it warm up for a while on the counter, maybe 15-30 minutes; or if you're super impatient like me, you can zap it in the microwave for 15-30 seconds.
And adding nuts is entirely optional. 🙂
All my love.
xoxo,
Megan
Vegan & Paleo Fudge Tracks Ice Cream
Ingredients
- ¾ cup chopped dates, packed
- 2 cans full fat coconut milk (about 3 ½ cups), divided
- ½ cup unsweetened almond milk or coconut milk beverage
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 10 drops NuNatural’s Liquid Vanilla Stevia
- small pinch of sea salt
- ½-2/3 cup Hot Fudge Sauce with Cocoa, chilled
- chopped almonds for topping, optional
Instructions
- Place the chopped dates in a small mixing bowl and cover with 1 ½ cups of hot water. Set aside for at least 10 minutes.
- Drain the dates and discard the water.
- Place the dates in a high speed blender with 1 can of full fat coconut milk (about 1 ¾ cups). Puree on high until smooth.
- Add the remaining can of full fat coconut milk, unsweetened almond milk, vanilla extract, NuNatural’s Liquid Vanilla Stevia, and sea salt. Blend until smooth.
- Pour into a mason jar with a lid and refrigerate for 6 to 8 hours or until very cold.
- Give the chilled custard a quick stir (it may separate in the refrigerator as it chills, this is completely normal) and then pour into an ice cream maker (I recommend this one) and churn according to manufacturer's instructions.
- Place half of the ice cream into a freezer safe 1 ½-2 quart glass storage container (I use the biggest container in this set) and then gently spread ¼-1/3 cups of the fudge sauce over the top of the ice cream. Repeat the layers with the remaining ice cream and fudge sauce.
- Serve immediately for soft serve, or freeze for at least 4-6 hours for a firmer texture.
- Top with chopped almonds if desired.
Notes
The brand of canned coconut milk you use can make a HUGE difference in the quality and taste of your ice cream. My absolute favorite brand of coconut milk is the Aroy-D brand, which is guar gum and preservative free. I don’t recommend using the Natural Value brand, as often times it’s gritty and will not produce ice cream with a smooth texture.
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Cassidy @ Cassidy's Craveable Creations says
This looks absolutely amazing, I can't wait to try it!!!
Megan says
Thank you, Cassidy! 😉
Shirley @ gfe & All Gluten-Free Desserts says
Swoooon! When I saw Fudge Tracks in the recipe title, my heart flipped. 😉 This ice cream looks and sounds AMAZING! And your post made me realized that I'd linked to Natural Value coconut milk on my blog instead of Native Forest. 🙁 Thanks! I have yet to try Aroy-D although I know many love it.
xo,
Shirley
Megan says
Oh you gotta try the Aroy-D coconut milk, Shirley! It's so hard when it's not available... no other brand compares. 😉 Thank you for the compliments, my friend! I wish I could share a bowl with you!
xoxo,
Megan
Emily @ Recipes to Nourish says
This looks amazing Megan! Beautiful photos too. Yum! Pinning it 🙂
Megan says
Thank you, Emily! 😉
Vicky says
Gosh, I love this ice cream and the fudge sauce Megan! Pinned for later!
Megan says
Oh Vicky, it's sinful! 😉 Thank you!
xo,
Megan
Laura O says
Yay!! The recipe is here! I was so excited to see this on your Facebook status. Gorgeous photos too.
Megan says
😉 Thank you, sweet Laura! Ice cream is definitely easier to photograph than spinach tortillas. LOLOL!
Chrissy says
I'm always looking for great dairy-free ice cream recipes. This is a great one!
Megan says
Thank you, Chrissy! You'll love this!
Adrienne @ Whole New Mom says
Hey Megan - yum!! So are the dates just for sweetening the ice cream? Thanks!
Megan says
Hi Adienne,
Sweetening and thickening the "custard" (is it still considered custard if there's no eggs??).
😉 Megan
Jesse says
Is there an alternative to the dates?
Megan says
Hi Jesse,
The dates provide extra thickness to this recipe. You could play around with possibly using honey or maple syrup, but I'm guessing it would only need 1/4-1/2 cup to sweeten. 😉
Megan
Ali B. says
Is there an alternative to stevia. My family does not like it at all! Thanks!
Megan says
Hi Ali B.,
Yes, feel free to use maple syrup, honey, coconut sugar, etc, whatever you would like. I would wait until you have all the other ingredients blended together though - then taste the custard and slowly add more sweetener little by little, until it is to your liking. 😉
Kate {Eat, Recycle, Repeat} says
These pictures are amazing! Looks better than the original
Karen says
My daughter who has to be dairy free was craving ice cream late in the summer. I found your recipe and decided to treat her. I bought the ice cream maker you recommended and all the ingredients. I bundled it up and gave her the gift. She was thrilled! We did the prep work and after dinner had our Fudge Tracks ice cream for dessert. FABULOUS!!!
I want to say than you Megan. Not only for these fabulous recipes but also for helping me show my children that even though they have food allergies they can still have their favorite desserts like ice cream or pie or cookies and their favorite meals like tortillas, and the Aloha pockets.
Thank you!!
Suzanne says
Would like to try this recipe. How do you know which Aroi -D coconut milk is full fat? I don’t see it on the can. I only know of Native Forrest brand has an Organic Heavy Coconut Cream & no guar gum on label. They also have an Organic Coconut Milk- Simple No Guar. I’d like to try a different coconut milk that makes a creamier& smoother ice cream if I know for sure it’s organic ,no guar ,unsweetened and full fat.
Thank you, Suzanne
Megan says
Hi Suzanne, it will say "Light" on the front of the Aroy-D coconut milk if it is the light variation. Otherwise, you can assume it's full fat. 😉
Shamani Nair says
Hi again Megan,
How well would it turn out without a churner? Thanks.
Mēgan says
Hi Shamani,
I can't answer that question since I haven't tried it that way myself. My guess is that it would be significantly less creamy.