Homemade Vegan Strawberry SunButter Ice Cream: A Creamy, 5-Ingredient Delight

Discover how to make the ultimate 5-ingredient vegan strawberry SunButter ice cream, featuring a luscious blend of coconut, cashews, maple syrup, and fresh strawberries. Don’t forget to top with an extra drizzle of SunButter for that perfect finish!

Allow me to introduce you to my very first homemade vegan ice cream, crafted with the help of a brand-new ice cream maker! If you’ve been following my culinary adventures here for a while, you’re likely familiar with my archives teeming with “no-churn” ice cream recipes. For years, my kitchen space was incredibly limited, making me think long and hard before acquiring any new kitchen appliances. It’s a small space, and every item needs to earn its place!

However, this past summer, I found myself on an undeniable vegan ice cream kick, constantly purchasing pint after pint from the grocery store. While those store-bought treats were delicious, I realized it simply *made sense* to start making my own, not only to satisfy my cravings but also to share these exciting new recipes with all of you. Perhaps it was the persistent summer heat, or maybe just a burst of inspiration, but I *finally* decided to invest in an ice cream maker. And what a game-changer it has been!

My partner, M, and I had an unexpectedly fun weekend watching the ice cream maker at work. I suppose we’re easily entertained, but there’s something truly mesmerizing about the process! The ice cream bucket whirred round and round, slowly transforming a pink liquid into a frosty, delicious concoction within its chilled cylinder. After eager taste testing, I exclaimed excitedly, “It tastes just like classic strawberry ice cream!” And if that’s not the highest endorsement for this recipe, then I don’t know what is. The rich, creamy texture and vibrant flavor are truly something special.

This Vegan Strawberry SunButter Ice Cream is a testament to the power of simple, wholesome ingredients. It’s made with a blend of creamy coconut, buttery cashews, natural maple syrup, and an abundance of fresh or frozen strawberries. Each spoonful is bursting with natural berry flavor, beautifully complemented by a generous topping of SunButter, creating a delightful “PB&J” inspired sensation that’s both nostalgic and incredibly satisfying.

When it comes to ice cream, I’ll admit I’m usually pretty vanilla. Pun totally intended, of course! One might even call me an ice cream purist. I tend to prefer my ice creams subtle in terms of flavor and texture, focusing on the core essence of a classic treat. My go-to choices are always simple: vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry. That’s why I’m so incredibly excited to finally add a fantastic churned strawberry ice cream recipe to the blog today!

This recipe is designed to be effortlessly delicious, proving that you don’t need a long list of complex ingredients to achieve extraordinary flavor. It embraces the natural sweetness of strawberries and the creamy richness of plant-based components to create an ice cream that’s not only vegan but also gluten-free and refined-sugar-free, making it a perfect dessert for almost any dietary preference. The addition of SunButter is what truly sets it apart, offering a unique, allergy-friendly twist that elevates the traditional strawberry ice cream experience.

The Simple Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s exactly what you need to make this incredible Vegan Strawberry SunButter Ice Cream. You’ll be amazed at how such a short list of ingredients can create such a rich and flavorful dessert:

• **Cashews:** These are the secret to achieving that incredibly creamy, dairy-free base. When soaked and blended, they create a silky-smooth texture that mimics traditional ice cream beautifully.
• **Full-fat coconut milk:** Crucial for richness and body. Make sure it’s full-fat and preferably chilled overnight for the best results, as the solid cream will contribute greatly to the texture.
• **Frozen strawberries:** The star of the show! Frozen strawberries provide intense berry flavor and help keep the mixture extra cold, which is beneficial for churning.
• **Pure maple syrup:** Our natural sweetener of choice. It adds a lovely, subtle caramel note without being overpowering, and can be adjusted to your desired sweetness level.
• **Organic SunButter:** This provides a unique, nutty, and allergy-friendly flavor that pairs exceptionally well with strawberries, giving it that classic “PB&J” vibe.

That’s it! Just five simple ingredients stand between you and a truly unforgettable homemade ice cream experience. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the quality of its components, allowing each flavor to shine through beautifully.

Crafting Your Dreamy Ice Cream: Step-by-Step Instructions

Before you dive into the recipe, ensure your ice cream maker bowl is thoroughly chilled and everything is ready to go! A well-chilled bowl is key to successful churning and prevents the ice cream from taking too long to set, which can result in an icy texture.

1. **Prepare the Cashews:** First, you’ll need to drain and rinse your pre-soaked raw cashews. Soaking helps them soften and blend into an ultra-smooth, creamy consistency. If you’re short on time, you can soak them in hot water for at least an hour, or cold water overnight.
2. **Blend the Base:** Add the drained cashews to a high-speed blender along with the entire contents of one can of full-fat coconut milk (make sure it’s well-chilled, ideally overnight, for the thick cream!), the frozen strawberries, pure maple syrup, and the two tablespoons of SunButter. It’s important that your cashews are cool before adding them to the blender; we only want cool ingredients going into the ice cream maker so it doesn’t have to work harder to chill the mixture.
3. **Achieve Ultimate Smoothness:** Blend everything on high until the mixture is super smooth and creamy. There should be no cashew pieces visible, and the texture should be reminiscent of a thick, fruity smoothie. This step is crucial for preventing a gritty ice cream.
4. **Churning Time:** Once your base is blended and thoroughly chilled (you can even refrigerate it for 30 minutes if it feels warm from blending), pour it into your pre-chilled ice cream maker. Churn the mixture according to the specific instructions for your model. My ice cream maker typically takes about 20-25 minutes to reach the desired consistency. You’ll know it’s done when it looks thick, like frozen yogurt or soft-serve ice cream, and the machine struggles slightly to turn the paddles.
5. **Transfer and Freeze:** Once churned, gently pour or scoop the soft ice cream into a freezer-safe pan or container. Tap the container several times on the counter to release any trapped air bubbles, which can lead to icier spots.
6. **Final Freeze:** Lay the container flat in the freezer and freeze for a minimum of 6-8 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow it to harden completely. For the best scoopable texture, let the hardened ice cream sit out at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before scooping and serving.

To serve this delightful treat, simply scoop the ice cream into bowls and finish with an extra drizzle of SunButter. You can also get creative with other toppings! This homemade ice cream can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to one month. If it becomes rock hard, simply let it soften on the counter for 20-30 minutes before trying to scoop for the best creamy results.

The Art of Toppings: Elevating Your Ice Cream Experience

Remember when I mentioned preferring my ice creams a bit plainer? Well, that’s precisely so we can load them up with an abundance of delicious toppings! And for this particular recipe, an endless drizzle of Organic SunButter is an absolute must. Who needs chocolate syrup when you have the rich, runny goodness of SunButter?

I absolutely adore adding a generous spoonful of SunButter to my after-dinner ice cream. It imparts the most incredible “nutty” flavor that perfectly complements the sweet strawberries, truly making this ice cream taste like a sophisticated, frozen PB&J sandwich. But don’t stop there! Consider adding fresh sliced strawberries, a sprinkle of vegan granola for crunch, or even some dairy-free chocolate shavings. A dollop of vegan whipped cream would also be a luxurious addition, turning this simple dessert into an indulgent treat.

Perfect for Any Occasion & Troubleshooting Tips

This Vegan Strawberry SunButter Ice Cream is absolutely perfect for a sweet warm-weather treat, a delightful dessert for a gathering, or simply a comforting indulgence on any day. It’s so easy to whip up with simple, wholesome ingredients, making it accessible even for novice cooks or those new to vegan baking.

If you find that your ice cream is rock hard straight from the freezer, don’t worry – this is a common occurrence with homemade vegan ice creams due to the lack of stabilizers found in commercial brands. Simply let the ice cream sit out at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before attempting to scoop and serve. This allows it to soften slightly, giving you that ideal, creamy consistency. For an extra creamy texture, you might even find letting it sit for up to 20-30 minutes does the trick, depending on your freezer’s temperature.

Beyond serving it in a classic bowl, try spooning this deliciousness into sugar cones, creating delightful ice cream sandwiches, or even incorporating it into a magnificent ice cream cake. I personally love to serve mine in tiny Weck jars, allowing everyone to customize their serving with extra drizzles of Organic SunButter and other favorite toppings. The possibilities are truly endless!

Oh, and if you *don’t* happen to have an ice cream maker, don’t despair! You can still enjoy similar deliciousness. Be sure to check out some of my No-Churn recipes for instructions on how to achieve a fantastic frozen treat without specialized equipment. There’s always a way to enjoy homemade vegan ice cream!

Enjoy every delightful scoop of this creamy, fruity, and subtly nutty vegan ice cream!

Share Your Creations!

If you try this Vegan Strawberry SunButter Ice Cream, please let me know what you think! Your feedback is invaluable and helps me create more delicious recipes for you. Be sure to leave me a comment, rating, and review below. I absolutely love hearing from you and seeing your culinary adventures!

Give me a shout on Instagram and use the hashtag #floraandvino to show me your beautiful creations! I often feature your photos on my stories.

Check out my Pinterest page to pin more amazing vegan recipes like this one to make later. It’s a great way to save your favorite plant-based ideas.

For more easy vegan ice creams and frozen treats, you might also enjoy my Avocado Mint Cacao Chip Ice Cream Sandwiches and my No-Churn Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream Sandwiches. They are perfect for satisfying that sweet craving!

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XO Lauren

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