Keto Ice Cream

There is one truth in life that never wanes: Ice cream makes everything better. If you’re eating a keto diet, you can still enjoy a scoop of delicious vanilla ice cream. This simple three-ingredient keto ice cream recipe lets you enjoy your favorite sweet treat while adhering to your low-carb meal plan. Featuring keto diet foods like heavy cream, a natural sugar substitute and vanilla extract, you get the rich, creamy texture and classic vanilla flavor that rivals store-bought ice cream.

Our recipe requires an ice cream maker, but you can make a churn-free version. For best results, chill your mixing tools beforehand and store the ice cream with parchment paper to prevent ice crystals. Serve this sugar-free dessert at family meals, parties or holiday gatherings, and enjoy a delicious keto dessert everyone will love. And yes, keto ice cream makes everything better.

Ingredients for Keto Ice Cream

• Heavy whipping cream: For this keto recipe, use heavy cream or heavy whipping cream. You can also use one of these heavy cream substitutes, but you’ll need to keto-fy them with keto-friendly sweeteners.
• Vanilla extract: A touch of good vanilla accents your delicate whipped cream. Use the best vanilla you can buy, or try this homemade vanilla extract.
• Sweetener: This keto recipe calls for monk fruit as a sugar substitute. It’s easy to measure as it has a consistency and texture similar to traditional sugar.

Directions

Step 1: Mix the ingredients

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In a large bowl, combine the heavy whipping cream, vanilla extract and monk fruit sugar substitute; stir until sugar dissolves.

Step 2: Freeze

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Fill the ice cream maker cylinder no more than two-thirds full; freeze according to the manufacturer’s directions.

Step 3: Serve or store

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Serve immediately or transfer to freezer containers, allowing headspace for expansion. Freeze for two to four hours.

Editor’s Tip: A longer freeze ensures that your keto ice cream reaches a firm, scoopable consistency. For best results, freeze it for up to six hours or (even better) overnight.

Keto Ice Cream Recipe Variations

• Give it a coffee kick: Dissolve 2 tablespoons of instant coffee or espresso powder in 1 tablespoon of hot water and add to the cream mixture for a delicious coffee flavor.
• Take it on a tropical twist: Replace half of the heavy cream with coconut cream or add shredded unsweetened coconut for added texture, similar to our coconut ice cream recipe.
• Get nutty: Fold 1/4 cup of sugar-free peanut butter or cashew butter into the whipped cream for a creamy, nutty variation.
• Blend in berries: Blend 1/2 cup of fresh or frozen strawberries (or any other berries) and fold into the cream mixture. Cook the berries down into a syrup before adding for a more intense flavor.
• Experiment with extracts: Enhance your keto ice cream with extracts like almond, coconut, maple, lemon, orange, hazelnut or rum to create delightful flavor variations.

How to Store Keto Ice Cream

Store homemade keto ice cream in an airtight container with a piece of plastic wrap or waxed paper pressed directly onto the surface to prevent ice crystals from forming. Stash in the freezer. If your containers have tight lids, flip them upside down to avoid freezer burn. You can also store ice cream in pint-size containers or an ice cream storage tub, one of our favorite ice cream accessories. Eat keto ice cream within two weeks; after that, the texture will begin to change.

Keto Ice Cream Tips

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How do you make ice cream without an ice cream maker?

There are a few different ways to make ice cream without an ice cream maker—though an ice cream maker is a fun appliance to have at home if you have a sweet tooth.

This method is probably the easiest: Put your ice cream mixture in a freezer-safe container (glass or metal works best) and freeze for 45 minutes. Take out and stir vigorously. You can use a wooden spoon or spatula, but a hand mixer will give you fluffier results. Return to freezer. Stir every 30 minutes until the mixture is frozen. The process may take up to three hours. You can also make ice cream in a coffee can!

What to serve with keto ice cream?

Add a scoop of keto ice cream to a sugar-free cookie for an ice cream sandwich, or drizzle it with sugar-free chocolate fudge. Pair it with chocolate mascarpone truffles for a decadent sweet treat. If desired, garnish with banana, mango, tropical fruit salad or any kind of toasted nuts.