the BEST vegan chocolate ice cream recipe—rich ‘n creamy, unbelievable deep chocolate flavor and made with simple, whole ingredients. Dairy-Free.
1) What’s your favorite ice cream flavor of all-time? 2) What’s your favorite store-bought brand of vegan ice cream? 3) If you could create any homemade vegan ice cream, what flavor would it be?
If you said 1) Chocolate!! 2) Chocolate Vegan Ice Cream! 3) Homemade Chocolate Vegan Ice Cream… then I have something super special and delicious for you today:
The BEST Vegan Chocolate Ice Cream Recipe. Ever.
Like, ever ever. But why is this the best vegan chocolate ice cream recipe? Lemme list the ways…
Why is this the BEST Vegan Chocolate Ice Cream Recipe?
Yep, the BEST vegan chocolate ice cream recipe. I said it! Today we’re gonna make the best vegan chocolate ice cream recipe ever. It’s the best for so many reasons, but lemme list just a few to whet your appetite:
Rich & Creamy
I tested and retested this vegan ice cream recipe until it was decadently rich and creamy—because if it isn’t, it’s not the best, right?
Easy to Make
Deep Chocolate Flavor
I’m a chocoholic through and through, so when I say that this vegan chocolate ice cream has deep chocolate flavor, I mean it. This vegan ice cream has just the right amount of chocolate flavor—it’s rich and deep, but still creamy and comforting—not too bitter, not too sweet.
Just the Right Amount of Sweet
Made with Simple, Whole Ingredients
Check out the ingredients list and feel friggin’ good about what you’re making for you and your loved ones. This vegan chocolate ice cream is packed with simple, whole ingredients and delightfully guilt-free.
Vegan Ice Cream Recipes We Love: Homemade Mango Ice Cream · 4 Ingredient Banana Peanut Butter Ice Cream · Coconut Chocolate Chip Vegan Ice Cream
How to Make Vegan Chocolate Ice Cream
Freeze
The day before you make your vegan chocolate ice cream, make sure to place your freezer bowl into the freezer to chill.
Blend
Day of, add all chocolate vegan ice cream ingredients into a food processor. Blend all ingredients together until smooth and well mixed. Et voilà: this is your vegan ice cream mixture!
Pour
Pour the chocolate vegan ice cream mixture into the freezer bowl of your ice cream maker. Churn until the ice cream is a firm texture—and remember to follow your ice cream maker’s instructions. 😉
Enjoy
Now you can enjoy the best vegan chocolate ice cream! Or, if you like your ice cream firmer, scoop the ice cream into a freezer-friendly container and chill until firm.
Deep chocolate flavor balances out rich ‘n creamy texture with just the right amount of sweetness in the BEST vegan chocolate ice cream recipe!
Simple Ingredients & Tools for Delicious Chocolate Vegan Ice Cream
Full-Fat Coconut Milk + Coconut Cream
The cream that puts in the cream in today’s non-dairy chocolate ice cream recipe. These two ingredients add deep, rich creaminess and “milkiness” to your dairy free ice cream.
Raw Cashew Butter
The #1 most important ingredient in this recipe. Yep, more important than coconut cream! (Even though you should not skip that lol.) It’s THE best ingredient for preventing icy texture in your homemade ice cream. Better than guar gum, better than vodka. Yes, I’ve tried it all! I prefer using raw over roasted because raw has a much subtler taste. Roasted cashew butter makes itself known. Ha!
Raw Cacao Powder
A nutrient-dense alternative to the usual unsweetened cocoa powder. I keep this ingredient on hand in my vegan pantry for ev’ry-thang.
Pure Maple Syrup
Pure Vanilla Extract + Pure Almond Extract
I tried leaving the almond extract out of today’s vegan chocolate ice cream recipe, for simplicity purposes. Guess what? It wasn’t nearly as good. Not by a long shot. Just try it with and without and let me know what you think. 😉
Ice Cream Maker
This ice cream maker is the best! It’s sleek, cute and easy to use. It’s very highly rated (and not just by yours truly). Best of all? It’s affordable. Yeah! Psst: make sure to get extra freezer bowls and freeze them in advance so you can make multiple batches of vegan ice cream, one after another. 😉
The Taste & Texture
I know you can never hear enough about the actual flavor and texture of any given recipe you’re thinking about making from the Internets. So I’m gonna describe the heck out of this vegan chocolate ice cream recipe until you can basically taste it.
This vegan chocolate ice cream is so unbelievably rich and creamy, with an element of creaminess from one secret ingredient. Its’ rich, deep chocolate flavor is balanced out by a soft creaminess and subtle sweet flavor, with hints of vanilla and something complex you can’t quite put your finger on. Best of all, it’s smooth and velvety and easy to make.
***
I hope you love my favorite chocolate vegan ice cream recipe! Thank you for stopping by and sharing in these kitchen adventures with me and your loved ones. ‘Til the next one…
Sending you all my love and maybe even a dove, xo Demeter ❤️
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More Delicious Vegan Ice Cream Recipes
- Vegan Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe
- Almond Butter Paleo Ice Cream
- Keto Coconut Ice Cream
- Almond Joy Vegan Paleo Ice Cream
- Strawberry Vegan Ice Cream (Dairy-Free)
- Dark Chocolate Nice Cream Recipe

The Best Vegan Chocolate Ice Cream Recipe!
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: about 16 1/3-cup servings 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
The BEST vegan chocolate ice cream recipe—rich ‘n creamy, unbelievable deep chocolate flavor and made with simple, whole ingredients. Deliciously decadent and guilt-free vegan chocolate ice cream. Dairy-Free.
Ingredients
- 1 can full-fat coconut milk (13.66 oz.)
- 1 can coconut cream (13.66 oz.)
- ¼ cup raw cashew butter
- ¼ cup raw cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon pure almond extract
Instructions
- The day before, freeze the freezer bowl according to your ice cream maker’s instructions.
- Blend together all ingredients in a food processor. Scrape down the sides of the processor as needed. Blend until smooth and well mixed.
- Pour mixture into an ice cream maker. Follow directions for making ice cream according to ice cream maker’s directions.
- Enjoy immediately if you like super soft ice cream. If you like firmer ice cream, pour into an ice cream container and freeze for 2-4 hours, until firm.
- Chocolate vegan ice cream is best the first day, but still good on later days. On Day 2 and forward, set ice cream out at room temperature to thaw for 20-90 minutes, until creamy and scoopable. Enjoy! Storing instructions below.
Delicious Vegan Ice Cream Recipes
Notes
Where to Buy Ingredients: Full-fat Coconut Milk & Coconut Cream | Raw Cashew Butter | Raw Cacao Powder | Pure Almond Extract
Storing Instructions: Store in an airtight, freezer-friendly ice cream container, such as this one. If serving after completely frozen, allow about 20-90 minutes to thaw—until creamy and scoopable.
For Quick Thaw: heat in the microwave in 10-second increments until the edges are a bit melty and ice cream is easy to scoop.
Recommended Tools: Ice Cream Maker | Extra Freezer Bowls | My Favorite Food Processor | Freezer Door Ice Cream Container | Mini Ice Cream Containers (super cute)
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 0 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Chill
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: vegan chocolate ice cream
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Fran says
Do you have to put it in an ice cream maker ( I don’t have one). Can you just mix the ingredients together and put it in the freezer and it will be good?
Demeter | Beaming Baker says
The ice cream maker will give you the best results, but if you don’t have one you could try freezing it in a freezer-friendly container. Just know that it won’t have the same smooth texture and will take a few hours before it’s ready.
Elizabeth says
Hello!! This looks super delicious! Instead of using coconut cream, can you just scoop off the top of a can of full fat coconut milk? Thanks!
Demeter | Beaming Baker says
Hi Elizabeth! Yep, that will work just fine. 😊 Hope you enjoy!
Elizabeth says
Sorry I took me forever to respond 😅, but this is the BEST vegan ice cream recipe that I have ever tried!! You can barely taste the coconut (which IMO is a good thing). Thank you so much!
★★★★★
Demeter | Beaming Baker says
Haha no worries Elizabeth! Glad to know you’re enjoying it, and the flavor is giving you what you need. 😊 Happy ice cream making!
Betina says
Do you taste the coconut flavour of the coconut cream/milk?
Demeter | Beaming Baker says
Hi Betina, there might be just the slightest coconut flavor, but I don’t personally think so. I took great pains to make this ice cream taste as close to “regular” chocolate ice cream as possible. Make sure to use the raw cashew butter and the combo of almond extract + vanilla extract for the best flavor. Can’t wait to hear what you think!
Francine says
Success!! I uses full fat coconut milk and coconut cream,3 tablespoons honey and 2 teaspoons Mexican vanilla.
Next time I am going to try different flavors.
★★★★★
Demeter | Beaming Baker says
Ooh how fun! I’ll bet that vanilla tasted amazing. 😋
Natasha says
This is the first homemade Vegan ice cream that I have ever tried and it is so good! This will definitely be added to our favorite desserts, thank you for sharing!
★★★★★
Demeter | Beaming Baker says
Wow that’s so awesome to hear Natasha! Thank you for letting me know! 🙂
Julie Blanner says
Love a healthy and delicious dessert! This was a perfect consistency and so easy to make.
★★★★★
Demeter | Beaming Baker says
That’s so great to hear Julie!
Edie Gardner says
what if you don’t have an ice cream maker
Demeter | Beaming Baker says
Hi Edie, you can pour the mixture straight into a freezer-friendly container. Chill for a few hours, until mostly firm. Scoop and enjoy! The difference is that the ice cream won’t be as fluffy/aerated. 😉
Edie Gardner says
thanks looks yummy
Demeter | Beaming Baker says
Oh it is! 😉
Matt Taylor says
This looks so good and healthy and easy to make!! 🙂
★★★★★
Demeter | Beaming Baker says
Totally! I’m all about the easy and healthy desserts! 😋
Julia says
This was really the best chocolate ice cream I have ever tasted! Definitely making another batch soon!
★★★★★
Demeter | Beaming Baker says
Yay! I’m so thrilled you enjoyed it!
Kushigalu says
Love this vegan version of chocolate icecream. So creamy and delicious
★★★★★
Demeter | Beaming Baker says
I’m really glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Danielle says
This was so good! Way better than the store bought vegan ice cream with way too many ingredients…
★★★★★
Demeter | Beaming Baker says
Awesome! So happy you enjoyed it Danielle!
Jenn says
Easy to make – you weren’t kidding! This recipe is a breeze to make and it’s so rich and indulgent, it’s my new favorite!
★★★★★
Demeter | Beaming Baker says
Oh that’s so wonderful to hear Jenn! 😊 Is there anything better than an easy summertime dessert?
Traci says
So delicious and so worth it to make vegan ice cream from scratch! You definitely remove the intimidation factor with this recipe. Thanks for sharing 🙂
★★★★★
Demeter | Beaming Baker says
Aww that’s so nice of you to say Traci! Homemade ice cream is one of my favorite things to make, and I’m so happy to share it. 😊