This date ice cream may be dairy-free, but it is just as creamy and delicious as any dairy version. Made with coconut milk and dates, the end result is a dessert you can feel good about indulging in.
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For anyone that avoids dairy in their diet, you know how expensive store-bought dairy-free ice cream is.
The good news is you can easily make it at home for a fraction of the cost. All you need are a handful of simple ingredients, a blender, a 9 x 13 pan, and a freezer to get a creamy, sweet ice cream.
While I have multiple homemade ice cream recipes on the blog, like my strawberry cheesecake ice cream, this one is a favorite of mine. Not only is it a healthier option, but the coconut and dates add so much extra flavor you do not typically get from plain vanilla ice cream.
We enjoy this ice cream wedged between two sourdough chocolate chip cookies, in a large bowl topped with sourdough graham cracker crumbles, or scooped on the side of a slice of chocolate sourdough cake.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
It’s a dessert you can feel good about eating – While this recipe still includes natural sugars from the dates, it is a healthier option than sugar-packed ice cream from the store.
Creamy and delicious – The coconut milk and egg yolks make this incredibly creamy. It’s the exact texture you’d expect from a bowl of ice cream.
Easy to make without an ice cream machine – We will typically use our ice cream machine, but you don’t have to. This does just as well using a 9 x 13 pan and your freezer.
Date Ice Cream Ingredients
Full-Fat Coconut Milk – I like coconut milk as opposed to other non-dairy milk options. I get unsweetened cans of coconut milk from Thrive Market.
Pitted Dates – You want mushy dates. That is why I soak mine overnight first. However, I know you can find dates in the store that are on the mushier side as is.
A full ingredient list with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Recipe Modifications and Variations
We love this ice cream as is, but you can also make a variety of flavors just like any other homemade ice cream. Make it your favorite flavor or add mix ins.
Here are two of our favorite versions:
- Chocolate Date Ice Cream: Add 1/2 cup of cocoa powder.
- Chocolate and Peanut Butter Date Ice Cream: Add 1/2 cup cocoa powder and a 1/2 cup of peanut butter.
- Pumpkin Spice Date Ice Cream: Add in a little pumpkin spice seasoning. Get the full pumpkin spice ice cream recipe here.
How to Make Date Ice Cream
Step 1: If the dates are really dry, add them to a large jar or bowl with the coconut milk. You could also use water. Cover and place in the fridge to soak overnight. If they are already mushy, you can move straight on to the next step.
Step 2: Put all the ingredients into your blender or food processor. Blend on high until the mixture is creamy, and no chunks of dates, remain.
Step 3: Put everything into your ice cream maker and give it about 30 minutes to harden up. If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you can put the mixture in a 9 by 13 pan, and allow it to harden for about eight hours.
Step 4: Enjoy!
Tips
- Soak the dates in coconut milk or water overnight or at least a couple of hours before making this recipe. This will ensure delicious and soft dates that blend well.
- This recipe uses raw eggs. Always make sure you get your eggs from a reputable source. We only use farm fresh organic pastured eggs. If those are unavailable in your area, you can purchase pasteurized eggs.
- This recipe is dairy free thanks to the coconut oil and coconut milk. You can use whole milk and cream if you prefer, like in my raw milk ice cream recipe.
- Add in your favorite mix ins, such as chocolate chunks, nuts, whole fruit, peanut butter, sea salt, etc.
Recipe FAQ’s
This has an unique flavor in a good way. It’s sweet, but not overly sweet. it also has a beautiful coconut flavor thanks to the coconut milk and oil. The texture of the ice cream is soft and creamy.
I love the flavor the coconut gives this ice cream. However, you can use dairy. Ice cream sets up best when it is high fat. I have made ice cream with heavy cream only and its delicious.
Ice cream needs a lot of fat to set up correctly. But, I do think it would set up with half that amount. We just like ours super creamy.
This is not a vegan ice cream recipe due to the egg yolks used. The eggs help make this ice cream creamy and thick. You may be able to omit them, but it would probably be best to use a substitute. I know many people will use cornstarch to replace the eggs, like in this how-to on no egg ice cream.
More Sweet Treats From the Farmhouse
- Orange Creamsicle Popsicles
- Java Chip Ice Cream
- Chai Ice Cream
- Honey Lavender Ice Cream
- Strawberry Yogurt Popsicles
If you try this recipe and love it, I would love it if you could come back and give it 5 stars! Tag me on Instagram @farmhouseonboone.
Homemade Dairy Free Date Ice Cream Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Blender
- 1 Ice Cream Maker optional
Ingredients
- 2 cans coconut milk, 13.5 fl oz cans
- 8 ounce package pitted dates
- 1/2 cup melted coconut oil
- 3 egg yolks
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- If the dates are really dry, add them to a large jar or bowl with the coconut milk. Cover and place in the fridge to soak overnight. If they are already mushy, you can move straight on to the next step.
- Put all the ingredients into your blender or food processor. Blend on high until the mixture is creamy, and no chunks of dates, remain.
- Put everything into your ice cream maker and give it about 30 minutes to harden up.
- If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you can put the mixture in a 9 by 13 pan, and allow it to harden for about eight hours.
Notes
- Soak the dates in coconut milk or water overnight or at least a couple of hours before making this recipe. This will ensure delicious and soft dates that blend well.
- This recipe uses raw eggs. Always make sure you get your eggs from a reputable source. We only use farm fresh organic pastured eggs. If those are unavailable in your area, you can purchase pasteurized eggs.
- This recipe is dairy free thanks to the coconut oil and coconut milk. You can use whole milk and cream if you prefer, like in my raw milk ice cream recipe.
- Add in your favorite mix ins, such as chocolate chunks, nuts, whole fruit, peanut butter, sea salt, etc.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
What kind of ice cream maker do you have?
I have a Ninja blender that we use, but you could also use a Ninja Creamy that makes ice cream.