Make the BEST vegan vanilla ice cream in a Ninja Creami with just 4 ingredients - It's rich, ultra-creamy, and the perfect base for all your favorite mix-ins!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
My new Ninja Creami has reignited my love for ice cream just in time for the warm California summer. I've already shared fruity vegan mango ice cream and vegan mint choc chip ice cream, but it's time for a solid vanilla base. This vegan Ninja Creami vanilla ice cream is rich, creamy, scoopable, and bursting with warm vanilla flavor-no additives, dairy, coconut, or banana.
This dairy-free vanilla ice cream uses a thick, silky cashew cream base made with just 4 simple ingredients. It's ultra-rich and surprisingly neutral in taste - perfect for loading with vanilla and as a base for endless mix-in options. You could even make it refined sugar-free. Whether enjoying it with toppings, over a brownie or pie (like this vegan pecan pie or vegan peanut butter chocolate pie), or as part of another dessert (like these apple pie cookies and blueberry pie bars), this one's sure to impress vegans and non-vegans alike!
The Ingredients
Please refer to the recipe card for the full list of ingredients and quantities.
- Cashews: Raw unsalted cashews create an ultra-creamy vegan ice cream base. For a nut-free version, try sunflower seeds or use vegan whipping cream + condensed coconut milk (see FAQs).
Recipe Add-Ins
- Salt: A pinch enhances the overall flavor of vegan vanilla ice cream recipe.
- Almond extract: A few drops brings out the vanilla and adds warm depth.
- Xanthan gum: Just ¼ teaspoon improves the texture of this vegan Ninja Creami ice cream, minimizing ice crystal formation.
- Protein: Add a scoop of plant-based protein powder for high-protein vanilla ice cream.
- Mix-ins: Try toasted coconuts, crushed vegan cookies (Oreos, Biscoff, shortbread), plant-based brownie or cookie dough bits, dairy-free chocolate shavings, or swirls of vegan salted caramel (like this vegan peanut butter caramel), jam, fruit compote, vegan chocolate spread, espresso syrup, etc.
How to Make Vegan Vanilla Ice Cream (Ninja Creami)
Step 1: If you aren't using a high-speed blender, first soak the cashews in cold water overnight, OR boil them for 15-20 minutes to soften them. Blend all the ingredients in a high-speed blender until completely smooth.
Step 2: Freeze it with its lid, upright, for 24 hours, until fully solid. Let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.
If it's crumbly, add 1 tablespoon plant-based milk/cream and 'RE-SPIN', until smooth and creamy.
Step 3: Then, insert the pint container in the Ninja Creami, lock into place, and process using the 'Ice Cream' setting. Serve the vegan vanilla ice cream immediately, or return it to the freezer for a short while for a firmer texture.
To Add Mix-Ins: After spinning the vegan ice cream, create a well in the center of it, going all the way to the bottom. Add the mix-ins, and press 'MIX-INS'.
FAQs
You could use another rich vegan heavy cream or make this vanilla vegan ice cream recipe with sweetened condensed coconut milk (½ cup) and vegan whipping cream ( 1 ¾ cups), like I do for my Ninja Creami mango ice cream.
It's fairly common for Ninja Creami ice cream to appear sandy/icy after the first spin. Simply add a splash of vegan milk/cream and hit 'RE-SPIN.' Repeat if needed.
Yes - although sugar is also important for texture, you could use a sugar alternative (like erythritol) and the 'LITE ICE CREAM' program.
It's recommended for the proper ice cream consistency. However, if you're in a rush, you can freeze it until almost fully frozen and process on the 'SOFT SERVE' setting.
Pro Recipe Tips
- Blend thoroughly: You don't want any cashew chunks. No high-speed blender? Soak or boil the cashews to soften them.
- For the most neutral nut flavor: Soak the nuts!
- Don't overfill and freeze upright: It's important not to exceed the maximum fill line to avoid extra strain on the machine.
- Re-spin if needed: If it's crumbly after the first spin, add a splash of vegan milk/cream (1-2 tbsp) and 'RE-SPIN'. Repeat if needed.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy this Ninja Creami dairy-free vanilla ice cream alone or with toppings like coconut flakes, nuts/sprinkles, crushed vegan cookies, fresh berries, berry compote, vegan chocolate syrup, etc.
You can also enjoy a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream over vegan brownies, pie, pancakes (like easy vegan pumpkin pancakes), or waffles, in an vegan ice cream sundae, vegan milkshake, cream soda, ice cream sandwich, and more.
Storage Instructions
Enjoy as much as you want, level the surface, add the lid, and return it to the freezer for 3-4 weeks (it'll become icier after that).
Before serving, let it sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes, then re-process using the 'ICE CREAM' setting.
More Vegan Desserts
If you tried this vegan vanilla ice cream (ninja creami) recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks!
Vegan Vanilla Ice Cream (Ninja Creami)
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups of raw cashews (soaked in hot water for 15-30 minutes if not using a high-speed blender)
- 1 ½ cups of plant-based milk
- ⅓ cup of granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a high-speed blender, combine the soaked and drained cashews, plant-based milk, sugar, and vanilla extract. Blend until smooth and creamy-about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Pour the mixture into a Ninja Creami pint container and freeze for 24 hours, until completely solid.
- Let the pint sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before processing.
- Insert the container into the Ninja Creami and use the "Ice Cream" setting.
- If the texture is crumbly, add 1 tablespoon of plant-based milk and Re-Spin until smooth.
- Serve immediately or return to the freezer for a firmer texture.
Notes
- Blend thoroughly: You don't want any cashew chunks. No high-speed blender? Soak or boil the cashews to soften them.
- For the most neutral nut flavor: Soak the nuts!
- Don't overfill and freeze upright: It's important not to exceed the maximum fill line to avoid extra strain on the machine.
- Re-spin if needed: If it's crumbly after the first spin, add a splash of vegan milk/cream (1-2 tbsp) and 'RE-SPIN'. Repeat if needed.
Andrea says
This vegan ice cream is so easy and so yummy!