If you’re craving a sweet, creamy treat that feels indulgent yet aligns perfectly with your health goals, you are going to fall in love with the Cherry Nice Cream – Vegan and Paleo Recipe. This delightfully refreshing dessert combines the natural sweetness and vibrant color of cherries with the richness of coconut milk, all without any dairy or refined sugars. It’s smooth, luscious, and just the right balance of fruity and creamy—a dessert that feels like a guilty pleasure but is actually a wholesome choice. Whether you’re vegan, following a paleo lifestyle, or simply want a nutritious frozen treat, this recipe will become your new favorite go-to.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Cherry Nice Cream – Vegan and Paleo Recipe lies in its simple, thoughtful ingredients. Each component plays a key role in creating the perfect texture, flavor, and beautiful color that make this treat so irresistible.
- 360 ml / 1½ cups coconut milk, full-fat: This provides a rich, creamy base with just the right amount of natural sweetness and fat to keep the nice cream luscious and smooth.
- 1 tbsp arrowroot powder*: A natural thickener that ensures the texture stays creamy and scoopable after freezing.
- 60 ml / ¼ cup maple syrup: Adds gentle sweetness and depth of flavor without overpowering the natural cherry taste.
- 1 cup pitted cherries: Fresh or frozen, cherries give this dish its distinctive fruity burst and gorgeous color.
- 1 tsp almond extract: A small hint of almond enhances the cherry flavor and adds a subtle nutty aroma.
- Optional 1 tbsp beetroot juice: For those who want an even more vibrant pink color, this natural dye works beautifully without any artificial additives.
How to Make Cherry Nice Cream – Vegan and Paleo Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Base
Start by blending the full-fat coconut milk and maple syrup together until smooth. This combination is the heart of your Cherry Nice Cream – Vegan and Paleo Recipe, providing that rich, creamy texture that makes this dessert so delightful.
Step 2: Add the Thickener
Next, whisk in the arrowroot powder to your coconut milk and maple syrup mix. Stir well to ensure there are no lumps—this step is essential for achieving the perfect creamy consistency once the mixture is frozen.
Step 3: Incorporate the Cherries and Almond Extract
Now, blend in your pitted cherries and almond extract. If you want that extra pop of beautiful pink, include the optional beetroot juice here. This will give your Cherry Nice Cream – Vegan and Paleo Recipe an eye-catching color that feels as good as it tastes.
Step 4: Freeze and Set
Pour the mixture into a freezer-safe container and spread evenly. Freeze for at least 4 hours, or until firm. You can scoop and serve directly from the freezer or let it sit for a few minutes to soften slightly for an even creamier texture.
How to Serve Cherry Nice Cream – Vegan and Paleo Recipe
Garnishes
Adding a few fresh cherries on top or a sprinkle of chopped nuts elevates the texture and adds a little crunch to contrast with the smooth creaminess. A light dusting of shredded coconut or cacao nibs can also add unique flavors that play beautifully with the cherry base.
Side Dishes
This Cherry Nice Cream – Vegan and Paleo Recipe pairs wonderfully with a handful of fresh berries or crisp vegan cookies. You could also serve it alongside a warm fruit compote or drizzle a little dark chocolate sauce for an extra special treat.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve your nice cream in a pretty glass bowl or handmade ceramic dishes to make the experience feel special. For a delightful twist, try layering it with crushed nuts and fresh fruit in clear parfait glasses, turning a simple dessert into a stunning visual delight.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Cherry Nice Cream – Vegan and Paleo Recipe should be stored in an airtight container in the freezer to maintain freshness and prevent ice crystals from forming. It will keep well for up to one week without losing flavor or texture.
Freezing
If you want to prepare this ahead of time, you can freeze the mixture immediately after blending. Just remember that when freezing homemade nice cream without stabilizers, the texture might firm up quite a bit, so allow a few minutes on the counter before scooping.
Reheating
This dessert is best enjoyed frozen or slightly softened. Avoid microwaving or heating it, as this will melt the nice cream and change its texture. Instead, let it rest at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes to soften naturally before serving.
FAQs
Can I use frozen cherries for this recipe?
Absolutely! Frozen cherries work wonderfully and actually make the blending process simpler since they keep the mixture cold, helping you achieve that creamy texture faster.
Is arrowroot powder essential?
While you can omit arrowroot powder, it plays a crucial role in thickening and stabilizing the nice cream. Without it, the texture might be icy or less creamy, so it’s best not to skip it.
Can I substitute coconut milk with another milk?
Full-fat coconut milk is ideal because it thickens nicely and adds natural richness. Alternatives like almond or cashew milk are much thinner and may result in a less creamy texture.
What if I don’t have beetroot juice for coloring?
No worries! Beetroot juice is purely optional for a vibrant pink hue, but the cherries themselves already provide a beautiful natural color, so your nice cream will still look and taste fantastic.
Is this recipe good for kids?
Definitely! Cherry Nice Cream – Vegan and Paleo Recipe is naturally sweetened and free from allergens like dairy and gluten, making it a healthy, fun dessert option for kids and adults alike.
Final Thoughts
I hope this Cherry Nice Cream – Vegan and Paleo Recipe becomes a staple in your kitchen as much as it is in mine. It’s the kind of dessert that feels like a sweet treat but is completely guilt-free—a perfect balance of flavor, texture, and nutrition. Go ahead, whip it up, share it with your favorite people, and watch it disappear faster than you can say “nice cream”!
Print
Cherry Nice Cream – Vegan and Paleo Recipe
Cherry Nice Cream is a refreshing, vegan, and paleo-friendly frozen dessert made with creamy coconut milk, naturally sweetened with maple syrup, and bursting with the vibrant flavor of pitted cherries. Enhanced with almond extract and a hint of beetroot juice for a beautiful pink hue, this dairy-free treat is perfect for a healthy indulgence that requires no ice cream maker.
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- 360 ml / 1½ cups full-fat coconut milk
- 1 tbsp arrowroot powder
- 60 ml / ¼ cup maple syrup
Fruit & Flavoring
- 1 cup pitted cherries
- 1 tsp almond extract
- Optional: 1 tbsp beetroot juice (for added coloring) or natural pink food dye
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Begin by pitting the cherries to ensure there are no stones, then set them aside. Measure out the coconut milk, arrowroot powder, maple syrup, and almond extract to have all ingredients ready for blending.
- Blend Base mixture: In a high-speed blender, combine the coconut milk, arrowroot powder, and maple syrup. Blend for about 30 seconds until the mixture is smooth and the arrowroot powder is fully dissolved.
- Add Cherries and Flavor: Add the pitted cherries and almond extract to the blender. If desired, add the beetroot juice or natural pink food dye at this stage to give the nice cream a vibrant color. Blend again until the mixture is completely smooth and evenly colored.
- Freeze Mixture: Pour the blended mixture into a freezer-safe container and cover it tightly. Place it in the freezer for at least 4-6 hours, or until it is firm enough to scoop.
- Serve: Before serving, let the nice cream sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes to soften slightly for easier scooping. Scoop into bowls and enjoy immediately as a delicious dairy-free, vegan frozen dessert.
Notes
- Ensure cherries are fully pitted to avoid any hard bits in the ice cream.
- Arrowroot powder acts as a thickening agent and helps create a creamier texture in the frozen dessert.
- Maple syrup can be substituted with agave nectar or another liquid sweetener of choice.
- Optional beetroot juice adds a natural pink color without altering flavor significantly.
- For a softer texture, blend the mixture briefly halfway through freezing and return to freezer.
- This recipe is best consumed within one week for optimal freshness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Freezing
- Cuisine: Vegan, Paleo
- Diet: Vegan
