Vegan Cherry Pineapple Ice Cream - frosty and refreshing
This guilt-free non-dairy dessert is ready in under five minutes.
Photo by Sam Gach
Is there anyone who doesn't love frozen desserts? This exquisite non-dairy ice cream lets you enjoy a delicious frosty treat without any of the guilt or extra saturated fat that usually comes along for the ride in traditional versions.
Create your own cold and creamy dessert in about two minutes, combining non-dairy milk and frozen fruit in a high speed blender.
This super easy method works in a food processor too. The texture may be just a little grainier, but the flavor is just as good.
Straight from the blender, this ice cream has the texture of soft-serve. If you like a firmer texture, just allow the ice cream to harden in the freezer for a little while before serving.
Final scorecard: Grandpa liked it, our non-vegan son loved it, and my husband could not get enough.
CHERRY-PINEAPPLE ICE CREAM
(Adapted from My Beef With Meat, by Rip Esselstyn)
1 cup plain or vanilla almond milk or soy milk
2 pitted dates
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
20 frozen dark sweet cherries
1 1/2 to 2 cups frozen pineapple
1 to 2 tablespoons agave nectar (optional)
Instructions
Place milk, vanilla, and dates in a food processor or high speed blender, and combine well. Add frozen pineapple and blend again. Add the frozen cherries and blend once more, until creamy. If using agave nectar, add and combine briefly.
Serve immediately.
Vicki Brett-Gach is an artist, writer, wife, mom, and enthusiastic vegan, and loves to help family and friends discover that you do not have to be vegan to enjoy delicious vegan food. Vicki understands the challenges a new vegan can face, and welcomes your questions and comments at a2vegankitchen@gmail.com. To find more of Vicki's recipes, visit her Ann Arbor Vegan Kitchen blog at annarborvegankitchen.wordpress.com.
Comments
Peter Eckstein
Sun, Jul 14, 2013 : 5:31 p.m.
I really want to make this, but can't tell what 2 cups of "frozen pineapple" would be. Presumably based on chunks. But from a bag of commercially frozen pineapple? From canned chunks--or even chunks from a fresh pineapple--that I freeze myself? Also, how important are the two dates?
Vicki Brett-Gach
Sun, Jul 14, 2013 : 9:56 p.m.
Hi Peter. Thanks for your question. Yes I buy frozen pineapple and measure it while frozen, but you can also freeze canned or fresh. The dates do add sweetness but you can leave them out if you like. Feel free to substitute any of your favorite fruits for any of mine!
Mary Bilyeu
Wed, Jul 10, 2013 : 7:43 p.m.
Fabulous, as always! Another lovely treat that's healthy, but no one would ever know it to taste it. Simple and delicious, without all the bad stuff no one needs in their diet ... :)
JRW
Wed, Jul 10, 2013 : 7:34 p.m.
IS a "high speed blender" a Vitamix? Are other blenders considered "high speed?"
Vicki Brett-Gach
Thu, Jul 11, 2013 : midnight
Hi JRW. I found a Vitamix on sale a few years ago and have been extremely happy with it, but I have a feeling there are lots of good alternatives out there!
JRW
Wed, Jul 10, 2013 : 11:33 p.m.
Thanks Vicki. My wife and I are thinking about a Vitamix and it might be worth the investment. We will check out other "high speed blenders" too if they are as good but a lower price. Any suggestions?
Vicki Brett-Gach
Wed, Jul 10, 2013 : 8:08 p.m.
Hi JRW. Yes, a Vitamix is a high-speed blender. There are several other brands available now that make high-speed blenders too. Standard blenders can't match the power for completing the heavy-duty jobs.
onemoreminute
Wed, Jul 10, 2013 : 1:07 p.m.
Definitely going to be giving this a try. Sounds pretty tasty! When I want a "real" vegan ice cream, though, full of rich, creamy, indulgent deliciousness, I make a batch in my ice cream machine using canned coconut milk, a little agave or other sweetener, and whatever flavoring I want, or I make a chocolate tofu mousse and send that through the churn. You'd never know it was dairy-free, vegan, or anything other than the best chocolate ice cream you've ever had!