So... I've been hooked on ice cream the last two weeks. Sunny weather, a heat wave, and a crazy erratic and unpredictable schedule and life events may have something to do with that... Ice cream seemed the perfect complement to all of those situations. It cools you off, it chills you out, it calms your nerves... :) And so I've been ice creaming...
Of course there's already an array of ice cream recipes on the blog and in Unconventional Treats, but there's always room for new flavors, new textures... so while I've been enjoying a few of my oldies, expect more ice cream recipes of different varieties in the coming weeks, starting with this mango, pineapple, ginger, turmeric combo.
I have a thing for the ginger turmeric combo in general. There's just something really soothing about it... plus that pretty natural yellow color is so cheerful, how can it not make a person happy? I also happen to like combining turmeric with mango a lot -- the flavors balance out really well, the colors meld into various depths of sublime yellow...and it's just delicious. Throw some pineapple in and take that even further.
Now, let's talk about how to make this truly CREAMY. I started off by cooking up the fruit into a compote of sorts. If you don't have jam sitting around and you're in a pinch, this method works with whatever fruit you've got on hand. Cooking up the mango and pineapple gets rid of some of the water in the fruit -- if you've ever had an icy ice cream fail, chances are it's because you tried to use fresh fruit. The water inside turns into little icicles as your ice cream sets, so cooked fruit (or using jam) circumvents this problem.
Above is a blended version of that compote by the way (you don't need to blend for this recipe though). It's quite nice on its own, though the spices are very strong for a standalone jam (but perfect when blended into an ice cream). Just mentioning in case you felt like making this for fun sometime -- especially if you have spare fruit to use up in the freezer...
This ice cream turned out to be everything I was looking for -- smooth, creamy, refreshing, sweet, tangy, with a bit of a kick from the spices, and... zero iciness. Moreover -- zero churning and no ice cream maker required! You could put it through an ice cream maker if you like extra-airy ice cream, but who needs extra steps ;) In fact, I sold my ice cream maker last summer, after having made so many delicious no churn ice creams I decided it's one kitchen contraption I can do without -- no more noisy churning for me, thank you very much!
Ok, let's ice cream :)
Vegan Mango Pineapple Ginger Turmeric Ice Cream
A sweet refreshing vegan ice cream recipe made with mango, pineapple, turmeric, and a spicy kick of ginger. Refined sugar-free, gluten-free, and paleo.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: approx 3 cups
- Category: Ice Cream
- Method: No Churn
- Cuisine: Dessert
Ingredients
Mango Pineapple Compote:
- 1 cup chopped mango
- 1 cup chopped pineapple
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp tapioca starch
- 1 tsp ginger(spice)
- 1 tsp turmeric (spice)
Remaining Ice Cream Ingredients:
- 1 cup raw cashews, pre-soaked and strained
- 1 cup dairy-free yogurt (I used an agave-sweetened coconut yogurt)
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
- Place all compote ingredients into a saucepan and bring to a light boil on medium high heat. Once the mixture starts bubbling a little keep it cooking for 10 mins, stirring frequently with a long-handled wooden spoon (so you don't burn yourself -- sugar burns are no fun!)(don't worry if the tapioca clumps up a little here and there -- that's ok). Remove off the heat and cool off on a rack for at least 10 mins.
- Place all ice cream ingredients as well as the cooled off compote into a power blender and blend until smooth (use the tamper if using a vitamix). Transfer to a glass jar or container of your choice and freeze overnight (note, if the mixture feels hot in the container, let it cool off a bit before freezing). Thaw out to a scoopable consistency on the counter and enjoy!
Janine says
A dream come true! Texture and taste are incredible! I could easily live on it! My ice cream maker doesn't seem to work if I don't use tons of granulated sugar, so I'm super happy to have so many no-churn recipes I can try now :-) !
I love your blog, thank you so much for so many fantastic tasty, creative and healthy recipes! I am going to embark on the cauliflower adventure soon ;-) !
Audrey says
You're most welcome. And thanks so much -- always glad to hear the recipes are working out well :)
Sakshi Vejani says
Absolutely lovedddd the recipe and the video tutorial!!! love your blog and creations too!!! keep going!!!
Audrey says
Thanks so much, Sakshi! :) I'm really glad you enjoyed this recipe.
Chas says
Is there anything you can do to the sugar content, cup of maple syrup is quite a lot , and do you know what the sugar content is ?
Audrey says
Hi Chas, to me dessert *is* sugar :) so I don't track it. I consider it a treat. If you want, you can run the recipe through one of the many free recipe calculator apps online to get any specs you need though.
I suppose if you don't like sugar you can try one of those stevia-type syrup substitutes here instead. The maple gives the ice cream a lovely flavor, but another liquid sweetener should work just fine. I wouldn't just plain omit the syrup altogether though, as that will affect the outcome.
Dana says
What a wonderful recipe I can't wait to make and eat considering my diet sensitivities. Is there an alternative for the Dairy Free Yogurt?
Thank you for sharing your gift, it is life-saving deliciousness for me!
Audrey says
H Dana, the yogurt gives this a really lovely flavor and tang. You could just blend more cashews and lemon juice instead, but if you can get your hands on a vegan yogurt you can eat, I'd definitely go with that so as not to alter the texture and flavor too much. You can even make your own from just coconut milk and some probiotic quite easily -- maybe something like that could work for you?
Lily says
These all looks so good!! I actually got an ice cream maker for my birthday few years ago, and I ain’t gonna use it until I move out, and this really inspired me! 🙂 can’t wait til I can start making my own ice creams, because I also love it all year around 😀
Audrey says
Thanks Lily, and so much yes to ice cream all year round! :)
Iris says
This sounds amazing but in general, I find that cashews seem to be a prominent ingredient for most of your recipes. I love them; however, I am not suppose to eat them. Would marcona almonds or macadamia nuts provide the same results?
Audrey says
Hi Iris. Yes, I love using cashews because they're so versatile. That said, I have a large selection of cashew-free recipes on the blog as well but am still working on a cashew-free tag for the recipes page: https://www.unconventionalbaker.com/all-recipes/ so hang in there -- hopefully it'll be coming soon :)
For this recipe, I think cashews are the ideal medium since their flavor is very mild and their texture is very smooth compared to other nuts. My experience with almonds is that it will work, but the mixture will be less smooth. Both almonds and macadamia substitutions would probably require more sweetener because cashews are naturally a lot sweeter. They'll also of course add a new flavor to the mix. If you give either a try, I'd love to hear how it turns out.
Pamela Guldi says
Hi Audrey! I'm in love with your recipes! My 13 year old daughter was diagnosed with Crones disease a year ago we follow a very strict diet. Although I have to eliminate an occasional ingredient like tapioca starch or substitute honey for the sweetener, the Alternative Baker recipes still come out amazing.
Audrey says
Thanks so much for sharing, Pamela. I'm so glad to hear you and your daughter can enjoy these treats! :)
Cassie Thuvan Tran says
What a lovely recipe! I bet that this ice cream was the perfect refresher for a a hot day. You can never have too much ice cream varieties, in my humblest opinion! Keep them coming, Audrey!
Audrey says
Very true. There's ice cream for every mood, season, and occassion! :)
Katie says
Lovely recipe Audrey by I can’t do Mango (high Fodmaps). Could I sub for say Star Fruit or another yellow fruit? Thanks for your help! Katie
Audrey says
Hi Katie. Hmmm.. You can do more pineapple, or do a combination of more pineapple and some banana in place of the mango. Hope that helps!
Marc Bell says
You are a genius Audrey, a turmeric and ginger ice-cream to prevent colds in winter
and tasty also.
Audrey says
I just love this combo :) -- and the fact the recipe is both summer and winter appropriate!
Alicia says
Hello Audrey just want to know what can I sub for calico starch
Audrey says
Hi Alicia. You can use arrowroot, potato starch, or corn starch instead.
If you're trying to avoid the starch altogether, you can probably get by without it. It acts as a thickener for the compote. I haven't tried it without, but if you give it a go let me know how it turns out :)
Maria Janete kuhn says
Beautifull.
Audrey says
Thanks very much :)
Julia says
Hi, looks like a great recipe. Would love to try it today, but I don't have any pineapple, atm. Any substitutes?
Audrey says
Hi Julia, my apologies for the delayed reply (I've been quite under the weather the last few weeks so just catching up on blog comments now). The pineapple gives it a nice tart and refreshing flavor. If you want to omit it, I'd just add more mango and a good amount of lemon or lime juice.
Esther says
Delicious! I've made this Ice-cream twice already & it's been a hit!
Thanks for providing delicious & healthy recipes:) Love your site x
Audrey says
Oh, good! Thanks for coming back to share, Esther -- so happy you like it! It's one of my summer faves :)
Natalie | Feasting on Fruit says
That little jar of compote with a flower in it's hair--so cute better texture benefit too! Very smart. Isn't it funny how all things yellow seem to go together so well flavor wise. Well maybe not ALL things, but you know what I mean :) Sometimes I think back to when I would get ice cream actually at an ice cream shop and they always asked "One scoop or two?" which seems kinda crazy compared to the 5+ scoops I usually have of homemade! Your stacked very tall little ramekin made me think of that :D
Audrey says
You just made me spend a solid moment of trying to figure out what yellow thing wouldn't be good here ?
Audrey says
Oh, and they're much smaller scoops than the shop... hence more of them. But I totally agree -- the "one or two question" is kind of funny now ?
Kari @ bite-sized thoughts says
Gosh, this looks wonderful. I confess to my homemade ice creams being pretty simple - usually featuring banana as a base and not a huge amount beyond that - so this sounds extra special.
Audrey says
Yes, I'm more of a daily banana ice creamer too usually... These no churn ice creams though are like a thing of their own. Just as easy to make, though of course not instant like banana ice cream. I love them both though :)
Jess @ Nourished by Nutrition says
Audrey, this is everything! The mango, pineapple, ginger, turmeric together is such a wonderful combination. Thanks for the recommendation of using cooked fruit. Genius. Your pictures definitely show off this ice cream's creaminess. I'm planning to try this recipe this weekend.
Audrey says
Aw, hooray -- enjoy it! :)
Heather @Gluten-Free Cat says
I am loving that color!
Audrey says
Thanks Heather. I love it as well. Colors make me happy.