Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Recipe (Dairy-Free & Coconut-Free!) (2024)

FAQs

What can I use instead of coconut milk in ice cream? ›

Heavy cream

Heavy cream is made by scraping fat from fresh milk and is especially common in high-fat foods like creamy soups, sauces, and ice cream. It's much higher in fat than coconut milk and can replace it in equal quantities in most recipes ( 12 ).

Kaminsky says that you'll get the best results from dairy-free counterparts that are higher in fat such as canned coconut milk. She typically uses almond milk as her base, but other non-dairy milks can work (steer clear of rice milk because it tends to be too watery).

Sorbets. Sorbets are naturally lactose-free because they do not contain dairy. They're typically made from water and fruit juice or purée. Sherbets, on the other hand, will contain dairy in the form of dairy milk or cream, so be sure to inspect the label.

While great for creating creamy frozen treats, coconut's high saturated fat count may elevate harmful LDL cholesterol levels, increasing risk for heart disease. Some coconut-based brands can have up to 250 calories, 15 grams of saturated fat and 20-plus grams of sugar per 1/2-cup serving.

Half-and-half or heavy cream

Like evaporated milk, heavy cream and half-and-half are good substitutes for coconut milk, too. Heavy cream contains at least 36% milk fat, so it's very thick and creamy. You can whip it to make whipped cream, or churn it to make butter.

In recipes where the fat content doesn't compromise texture, you plant-based beverages, such as coconut milk beverage, almond, cashew, macadamia, oat, soy or hemp, to substitute for traditional coconut milk. These plant-based beverage options would be best for smoothies, coffees and specialty drinks.

Our Non-Dairy flavor creations are made with almond milk, 100% certified vegan, and boldly loaded with chunks and swirls. You'll get Ben & Jerry's euphoria in every bite. These flavors deliver everything… but the cow.

Breyers Non-Dairy Ice Cream

It's sweet, creamy, sold at many major grocers, and comes in 1.5-quart tubs that are even cheaper than some of the dairy-free pint brands. They are on the indulgent side (like Ben & Jerry's), and now come in several flavors.

Dairy-less frozen desserts replace milk and cream with alternatives like coconut, soy, oat, cashew, or almond milk. Many other ingredients remain the same between the dairy and dairy-free versions. And, just like dairy ice cream, non-dairy ice cream can vary widely in terms of sugar, fat, and calorie content.

From its introduction, Cool Whip was labeled and advertised as non-dairy, but as of 2018 it contains skimmed milk and sodium caseinate, a milk derivative. Even before the skimmed milk was introduced, Cool Whip was classified in Jewish dietary traditions as dairy because of the sodium caseinate.

What is Ben and Jerry's non-dairy ice cream made of? ›

All of the Ben & Jerry's Non-Dairy Ice Cream flavors are built upon a foundation of their own finely-tuned blend of almond milk, pea protein, and coconut milk. The right ratios proved elusive, going through 70 to 90 different trials until the base hit all the right creamy, luxurious, and positively decadent notes.

Gianni's Dairy Free Forest Fruits Ice Creams 3x90ml | ALDI.

Gelato (also the Italian word for ice cream) is usually considered a healthier option than soft serve and hard ice cream. The refreshing dessert is specifically made with a higher proportion of milk to cream, creating less fat than traditional ice cream, says Mary Sabat, a nutritionist and owner of BodyDesigns by Mary.

It's dairy free and egg free. And honestly it is the thickest, creamiest, best consistency of any homemade ice cream. Most homemade ice creams freeze too fast so they can end up icy, but the coconut milk is so thick and creamy the texture holds up to freezing really well.

Nearly any milk will work, and you can substitute half-and-half for the cream. Ideally you want ingredients with a high fat content because these will create a creamy texture when cooled.

4. Sour cream. Sour cream is yet another dairy product that works well as a thickener in curries and soups! Sour cream has a sweeter, more distinctive flavor than Greek yogurt; it's a better match to the fat content found in coconut milk.

See our other top picks for coconut cream and milk here. Coconut cream tends to yield creamier results due to the higher fat content.