4 EASY AND DAIRY-FREE FROZEN SUMMER TREATS

4 EaSY aNd daIrY-frEE frOZEN SUMMEr TrEaTS

guest blog by VIckI from ann arbor vegan kItchen

Hi VegMichigan friends!

Michigan’s hot summer days have arrived in all of their sunny glory, and what’s more soothing on a sweltering day than a sweet frosty treat?

Nowadays we can find an almost endless variety of vegan options in grocery stores, but it’s really easy – and so much fun – to watch the magic happen right in your own kitchen! Plus the best part is that you get to be in complete control of every single ingredient.

So here are a few of my favorite ways to cool down with delicious homemade frozen treats.

mocha Ice Cream

If you like mocha, this one is divine, sweetened with dates, and richly flavored with cocoa powder and espresso.

Makes approximately 1 quart

IngredIents

1 cup prepared espresso (about 5 shots) or very strong coffee
1 cup water
1/2 cup raw cashews
1 cup dates, pits removed
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
pinch of salt

InstructIons

Add all ingredients to a high-powered blender) and process until mixture is smooth and combined well.
Carefully pour mixture into the bowl of an automatic ice cream maker*, and process according to manufacturer’s instructions until desired texture is achieved.
Enjoy immediately, or harden further in freezer for an hour or more.

*see notes at the end

fresh strawberry banana Ice Cream

This nondairy ice cream is full of fresh fruit flavor and naturally creamy from a raw cashew base.

Makes approximately 1 quart

IngredIents

1 1/4 cup water
1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries
1 fresh banana
1/ 2 cup raw cashews
1/2 cup dates, pits removed
1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

InstructIons

Add all ingredients to a high-powered blender and process until mixture is smooth and combined well.
Carefully pour mixture into the bowl of an automatic ice cream maker*, and process according to manufacturer’s instructions until desired texture is achieved.
Enjoy immediately, or harden further in freezer for an hour or more.

*see notes at the end

apple sorbet

Just one ingredient – and incredibly refreshing.

Makes approximately 1 quart

IngredIents

2 cups fresh apple cider (or apple juice, if cider isn’t available)

InstructIons

Carefully pour apple cider (or juice) into the bowl of an automatic ice cream maker*, and process according to manufacturer’s instructions until desired texture is achieved.
Enjoy immediately, or harden further in freezer for an hour or more.

*see notes at the end

tropIcal fruIt popsIcles

Substitute any fresh juice or frozen fruit to customize these popsicles even more.

Makes 8 to 10 popsicles

IngredIents

1 cup frozen mango or pineapple
1 cup frozen strawberries
1 ripe banana
1 cup fresh orange juice
1 splash vanilla extract

InstructIons

Place all ingredients in a high-powered blender and process until smooth.
Carefully place into popsicle molds and freeze overnight, or until firm.

*notes

* If you don’t have an automatic ice cream machine, no problem…

It just takes a few extra steps. Mix and freeze ingredients in an air-tight container until almost solid. (This step can take up to several hours.) Once the mixture is almost solid, remove container from freezer, break mixture into icy chunks with a fork, and immediately place frozen chunks into a high-speed blender or food processor. Whirl together for a few seconds, and serve. (The texture may be a bit grainier, but the flavor will still be great.)

about the author

Vicki Brett-Gach is a writer, blogger, Master-Certified Vegan Lifestyle Coach, Whole-Food Plant-Based Culinary Instructor, and Certified Personal Chef. Trained in Nutrition for a Healthy Heart and in Dietary Therapy for Reversing Common Diseases, she is also Forks Over Knives Plant-Based Certified, and holds certificates in Plant-Based Nutrition and in Wellness Counseling.

Connect with Vicki through her Ann Arbor Vegan Kitchen blog at AnnArborVeganKitchen.com.

Vicki from Ann Arbor Vegan Kitchen

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View Comments

Valerie says:

July 1, 2021 at 2:55 pm

Where do you buy espresso? I am not a coffee drinker. I ground some espresso beans into a fine powder at Whole Foods for a cookie recipe. Is that what I would use for this ice cream?
Vicki Brett-Gach says:

July 1, 2021 at 6:10 pm

Hi Valerie! Great question. For this recipe you will want the fine powder brewed into beverage form so if it’s easier you could even grab a strong black coffee or espresso from a coffee shop!