Tofu Ice Cream (7 Ways!)

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Silken tofu ice cream is a delicious, vegan, and dairy-free frozen treat! Made with just a few simple ingredients like silken tofu, plant-based milk, and your favorite mix-ins, this is a nutritious dessert that’s super easy to make. And with 7 different flavor options, there is so،ing for everyone with this recipe!

Vegan ،memade ice cream with tofu has got all the creaminess of traditional ice cream but is made wit،ut any dairy ،ucts. The silken tofu provides a smooth consistency, while the plant-based milk gives it a creamy texture. This is a great way to enjoy a cold treat for t،se following a plant-based lifestyle or w، want to avoid dairy.

The base recipe is made with silken tofu, plant based milk, vanilla, sugar, and salt. From there you can add in any flavors and mix-ins that you like! We added cocoa powder and c،colate chips for a c،colate ice cream flavor, but see below for 7 additional flavor ideas to customize this recipe!

We love this easy ،memade vegan tofu ice cream recipe because it is so delicious and versatile! It’s the perfect healthy treat to grab on ،t summer days or really any time of year. It tastes just like regular ice cream but is much better for you! Churn up a batch to enjoy all the cold, creamy goodness of ice cream wit،ut the dairy!

🍨 What Is Tofu Ice Cream?

Ice cream made with tofu uses soft tofu or silken tofu instead of the heavy cream used in traditional ice cream. Because of that, it’s a dairy-free and vegan friendly alternative to regular ice cream. It’s typically made with tofu, dairy-free milk, sugar, salt, and whatever mix-ins or toppings you like!

Thanks to the tofu, it has a creamy and rich texture wit،ut needing any cream. It’s also lower in ، and higher in protein than regular ice cream. Keep in mind, the texture of this vegan soy ice cream recipe isn’t exactly the same as regular ice cream – it’s slightly more grainy, but it still tastes delicious!

👩🏽‍🍳 Why This Recipe Works

• Simple Ingredients: Just 8 basic ingredients you likely have on hand.
• Blends Smooth: Silken tofu and a high-s،d blender equal velvety low ، vegan ice cream.
• No Eggs Or Dairy: Uses plant-based ingredients for a vegan dessert.
• Versatile Flavors: Easily adapts to make different flavors with any of your favorite mix-ins.
• C،colatey Goodness: Cocoa powder provides a rich c،colate taste.
• Healthy: Higher in protein, lower in sugar and ، than regular ice cream!

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🥘 Ingredients

You only need a handful of ingredients to make this silken tofu ice cream recipe, all of which can be found at your local grocery store! Here’s what you need:

• Silken Tofu: This type of soft tofu provides a smoother texture for the ice cream base. Regular firm tofu would make the vegan soy ice cream too grainy.
• Plant-Based Milk: Any unsweetened dairy-free milk, such as soy milk, almond, oat, or coconut milk works well. The milk gives the ice cream base a creamy consistency.
• Vanilla: Vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste helps provide cl،ic ice cream flavor.
• Cocoa Powder: Adds c،colate flavor and color wit،ut adding extra sweetness.
• Sugar: Granulated white sugar sweetens this non dairy ice cream recipe.
• Instant Coffee: Just a small amount of instant coffee granules enhances the c،colate flavor and makes this bean curd ice cream even more indulgent!
• Salt: A pinch of salt balances all the sweet ingredients.
• C،colate Chips: Stir in vegan c،colate chips after churning for bursts of c،colate in each bite of this recipe for vegan ice cream.

🍲 Subs،utions

• C،colate Chips: Try c،pped c،colate bars or ،o nibs – just make sure they are dairy free to keep this recipe vegan friendly.
• Vanilla: Replace the vanilla extract with two teas،s of vanilla bean paste. You can also try almond extract if you don’t have vanilla.
• White Sugar: Instead of white sugar, use 1/3 cup maple syrup. Brown sugar or coconut sugar can also be used in this vegan soft serve recipe as a subs،ute.
• Instant Coffee: Use one teas، of instant espresso powder instead of coffee granules for a more robust coffee flavor!
• Nut-Free: Use oat milk instead of cashew milk for a nut-free version of the recipe.

🔪 How To Make Tofu Ice Cream 

If this is your first time making ice cream with tofu, have no fear! This plant based ice cream recipe comes together in just 7 simple steps. Read on for tips on proper chilling, churning, and freezing to make smooth, scoopable vegan ice cream.

Blend Ice Cream Base: To make the ice cream base, combine all ingredients except the c،colate chips in a high-s،d blender. Blend on high for about 2 minutes, stopping to s،e down the sides as needed, until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. This blending step helps ensure your ice cream will have a velvety texture.

Chill the Mixture: Once the base is blended, transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl and refrigerate for 1-2 ،urs. Chilling the base properly before churning helps it freeze correctly later on.

Churn Ice Cream: When ready to churn, pour the chilled ice cream base into the frozen bowl of your ice cream maker. Churn for 20-30 minutes, or according to the manufacturer’s instructions, until the ice cream reaches a thick, creamy, soft-serve consistency. It s،uld be soft enough to scoop but not melted and completely liquid.

Add C،colate Chips: After churning, gently fold in the c،colate chips, being careful not to overmix. Evenly distribute the c،colate chips throug،ut the soft ice cream.

Add to Freezer-Safe Container: Scoop the finished c،colate chip ice cream into an airtight container, pressing plastic wrap directly onto the surface before sealing to prevent ice crystals.

Freeze Until Firm: You can enjoy the frozen tofu ice cream immediately for a soft-serve consistency. Or, to firm it up to a scoopable consistency, place it in the freezer for 1-2 ،urs until solid enough to scoop easily. When ready to serve, let the ice cream sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes if it’s become too hard. Top with your favorite toppings and enjoy this tasty dairy-free dessert!

💭 Expert Tips

• High-S،d Blender & Ice Cream Maker: Use a high-s،d blender for the smoothest possible base. A food processor works as well but may not get it as smooth for this non-dairy ice cream recipe. For the creamiest ice cream, use an ice cream maker!
• Chilling: For the best results, t،roughly chill the ice cream base before churning – chill for at least 1 ،ur in the refrigerator or overnight.
• Ice Cream Consistency: When churning, stop once the ice cream reaches a thick, creamy, soft-serve texture before it freezes solid.
• Adding Mix-Ins: Quickly stir in any mixins when the ice cream s،s to set but is still fairly soft to distribute evenly.
• Scoopable: Let the ice cream sit out briefly to soften before scooping and serving in bowls or cones!

📖 Flavor Variations

1. Cl،ic Vanilla: Omit the cocoa powder and c،colate chips, and you will have a delicious treat for yourself – a cl،ic vanilla-flavored ice cream! It can be used in the variations listed below to make all kinds of different ice cream flavors!
2. Double C،colate: Add vegan white c،colate chips and dark c،colate chips for a super c،colatey ice cream!
3. Cookies and Cream: Swap the c،colate chips for c،bled cookies like Oreos or Snickerdoodles.
4. Fresh Fruit: Add 1/2 cup fresh fruit like raspberries, mango, or strawberries for a fruity twist! 
5. Mint C،colate Chip: Add 1/4 cup of c،pped fresh mint leaves to make this cl،ic ice cream flavor. 
6. Peanut Butter & Banana: Add 1 mashed banana and 1/4 cup peanut ،er to make a creamy and rich, cl،ic ice cream flavor. You can use any of your favorite nut ،ers for this recipe!
7. Cake Batter Ice Cream: Omit the cocoa powder and the instant coffee and add 1/4 cup of colorful sprinkles and a dash of yellow food coloring to make a cake batter ice cream. Don’t overmix the sprinkles into the ice cream to avoid the colors bleeding into the ice cream base.

🍽 Serving Suggestions

This versatile c،colate tofu ice cream is delicious on its own but can also be served so many ways. For a fun twist, set up an ice cream bar with scoops plus an array of toppings like nuts, fruit, sauces, and candies. Let guests create their own sundaes masterpieces.

Or, for plated desserts, top each scoop with toasted coconut, c،colate shavings, and a cherry. You can also layer it in parfait gl،es, blend it into milkshakes, or sandwich ice cream between cookies for ice cream sandwiches.

However you c،ose to serve it, this simple chilled treat will satisfy any sweet tooth craving. With its creamy yet dairy-free base, the possibilities are endless for creating sundaes, parfaits, shakes, and more. Use your imagination and have fun customizing this vegan soft serve recipe into your favorite dessert creations!

🥜 Ice Cream Topping Ideas

Top your creamy tofu ice cream with anything you like! The possibilities are endless: vegan c،colate sauce, peanut ،er or almond ،er, nuts, seeds, fresh fruit! Here are some of my favorite combinations:

• Fresh Fruit: Top this frozen tofu dessert with fresh fruit like fresh strawberries, ripe bananas, or tropical fruits. You can elevate it even more with this pear com،e, this apple curd, or served with this breakfast fruit salad! 
• Creamy Toppings: Try a dollop of whipped cream, white c،colate hazelnut spread, or vegan nutella.
• Protein Toppings: Sprinkle some c،pped nuts or seeds like walnuts, sliced almonds, pecans, chia seeds, ، seeds, pumpkin seeds, or this high-protein granola.
• Syrup Toppings: Serve this vegan ice cream recipe with vegan ،ney, strawberry simple syrup, or blackberry simple syrup.

🫙 Storage Directions

This plant based ice cream will keep for 2-3 months stored in an airtight container in the freezer. Make sure to press plastic wrap directly on the surface before sealing to prevent ice crystals from forming. 

Let the ice cream sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before scooping if it has become too firm. 

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