Is Ened Ice Cream Truly Keto-Friendly?

Enlightened is a brand of ice cream that offers keto-friendly options. The brand uses sugar substitutes like allulose, sugar alcohol, and monk fruit extract to replace sugar. Enlightened's keto ice cream options contain 2-3 grams of net carbs for most flavors and are said to be luscious, creamy, rich in fat, and low in net carbs.

Enlightened's keto ice cream options

Enlightened is a brand that offers keto ice cream options, as well as low-calorie, non-keto options. The keto options contain 2–3 g net carbs for most flavors. The low-calorie options contain 7–12 g net carbs and 120–140 calories per two-thirds-cup serving.

Enlightened uses allulose, along with sugar alcohol and monk fruit extract, to replace sugar. The FDA has exempted allulose from being included in total sugar and added sugars on nutrition labels. Allulose is not a sugar alcohol and is not added to carb counts.

Enlightened's keto ice cream has received generally positive reviews for its flavor and scoopability. However, some people may find that it needs a few minutes to warm up and become easier to scoop straight from the freezer. The mouthfeel is mostly creamy, but some flavors may be a bit chalky. The brand offers a lot of fun and interesting flavors but lacks basic ones like vanilla or chocolate. The ingredients are pretty decent, although Enlightened contains soluble corn fiber, which some people may object to. The average total carb count is 16 g, and the net carb count is 7.5 g (total minus erythritol and allulose only).

Overall, Enlightened's keto ice cream is a good choice for a treat, especially for those who are diabetic, but it is recommended to test it carefully. The brand has improved its formula over time, and it now offers a wide array of keto-friendly ice cream options.

Ingredients and their substitutes

Heavy Cream

Full-fat coconut cream can be used as a dairy-free substitute for heavy cream. However, the recipe will not be entirely dairy-free if other ingredients like butter are included.

Butter

Unsalted butter is recommended to prevent the ice cream from becoming too salty.

Sweeteners

The choice of sweetener is crucial to achieving the right texture and taste in keto ice cream. Some popular sweeteners include:

• Powdered allulose: This is a preferred option as it dissolves easily and prevents crystallization. It is also less likely to cause an aftertaste compared to other sweeteners.
• Erythritol: This sweetener can be used but may crystallize, affecting the texture of the ice cream.
• Monk fruit: Monk fruit extract is used in some keto ice cream brands, but it may be combined with other sweeteners like allulose.
• Stevia: While stevia is marketed as a sweetener, most products labelled as "stevia" primarily contain erythritol or maltodextrin. Pure stevia has a bitter aftertaste and will not prevent the ice cream from hardening.
• Xylitol: This sweetener is used in some keto ice cream brands, but it may affect blood sugar levels in diabetics.
• Sugar alcohols: Sugar alcohols like xylitol and erythritol are common in keto ice cream, but they have half the calories of sugar.

Xanthan Gum

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer to prevent crystallization and improve the texture of the ice cream. However, a small amount is needed, as too much can affect the taste.

Vanilla Extract

Vanilla extract is used for flavouring and can be replaced with other flavour extracts like almond or peppermint extract.

Making keto ice cream without an ice cream maker

Ingredients

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons sugar-free powdered sweetener (e.g. erythritol)
• 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Method

• In a deep jar, add all the ingredients and gently mix.
• Using an immersion or stick mixer, blend the mixture until it has thickened and soft peaks form.
• Cover the jar and place it in the freezer for at least 4 hours, stirring every 30-40 minutes to prevent it from icing up.
• Remove from the freezer and let it sit for 15 minutes before serving.

Tips

• For a smoother ice cream, add a tablespoon of vodka. You won't be able to taste it, but it will make the ice cream easier to scoop.
• If you want to store your ice cream, note that it will become icier if refrozen. Place any leftovers in a new container and store them in the freezer for up to 1 month.

Flavour options

This recipe is a simple vanilla base which is easy to customise with tons of flavours. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Chocolate: Add 3 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder to the mixture.
• Cookies and cream: Replace the vanilla extract with almond extract and add 1 cup of crushed keto Oreos.
• Cookie dough: Fold through 1/4 cup of crumbled keto cookie dough.
• Strawberry: Add 1/2 cup of sliced strawberries and, if desired, strawberry extract.
• Mint chocolate chip: Replace the vanilla extract with peppermint extract and fold through 1/2 cup of sugar-free chocolate chips.
• Butter pecan: Add 1/2 teaspoon of butter extract and 1/4 cup of chopped pecans.
• Salted caramel: Fold through 1/4 cup of sugar-free caramel syrup.
• Peanut butter cup: Drizzle peanut butter and add chopped-up keto peanut butter cups.
• Birthday cake: Add 1/4 cup of sugar-free sprinkles and 1/2 teaspoon of butter extract.
• Brownie batter: Add 3 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder and 1/2 cup of chopped keto brownies.

Flavour variations

There are many ways to customise your keto ice cream and create different flavours. Here are some ideas for flavour variations:

• Chocolate– Add 3 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder to the mixture.
• Cookies and Cream– Replace the vanilla extract with almond extract and add 1 cup of crushed keto Oreos.
• Cookie Dough– Fold through 1/4 cup of crumbled keto cookie dough.
• Strawberry– Add 1/2 cup sliced strawberries and, if desired, strawberry extract.
• Mint Chocolate Chip– Replace the vanilla extract with peppermint extract and fold through 1/2 cup sugar-free chocolate chips.
• Butter Pecan– Add 1/2 teaspoon butter extract and 1/4 cup chopped pecans.
• Salted Caramel– Fold through 1/4 cup of sugar-free caramel syrup.
• Peanut Butter Cup– Drizzle peanut butter and add chopped-up keto peanut butter cups.
• Birthday Cake– Add 1/4 cup sugar-free sprinkles and 1/2 teaspoon butter extract.
• Brownie Batter– Add 3 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder and 1/2 cup chopped keto brownies.

Some other flavour ideas include:

• Chocolate Peanut Butter
• White Chocolate Macadamia
• Vanilla Bean
• Triple Chocolate
• Banana Cream Pie
• Mint Chocolate Cookie
• Fudge Tracks
• Neapolitan
• Caramel Butter Pecan
• Coffee Almond Toffee
• Triple Chocolate
• Vanilla
• Whale Tales
• Caramel
• Birthday Cake
• Chocolate Chip
• White Chocolate
• Jelly Donut
• Vanilla Bean
• Chocolate
• Coconut
• Coffee
• Almond

Storage instructions

Storing your ice cream correctly is essential to preserving its freshness and texture. Here are some detailed storage instructions to ensure your ice cream stays in optimal condition:

Container and Sealing

Use an airtight container with a tightly sealed cover, such as Tupperware, for storing your ice cream. Some plastics can become brittle when frozen, so opt for containers designed for freezer storage. While any freezer-safe container will work, lidded plastic containers are convenient for easy storage. Stackable containers will help you optimize freezer space.

Prevent Ice Crystals

To prevent the formation of ice crystals, which can ruin the texture of your ice cream, place a layer of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the ice cream. Pressing the plastic wrap down will help protect against the formation of a hard skin and reduce the chance of large ice crystals.

Temperature and Placement

Ensure your freezer is set to the correct temperature, ideally below 0 degrees Fahrenheit (-10 degrees Fahrenheit is recommended). Maintain a consistent temperature by storing the ice cream at the back of the freezer, avoiding the door, and minimizing the frequency of opening the freezer door. Never place warm items directly into the freezer; allow them to cool first, then transfer them to the refrigerator before freezing.

Odour Control

Strong odours from other foods in your refrigerator or freezer can permeate your ice cream. To prevent this, keep an open box of baking soda in both the fridge and freezer to absorb these odours.

Re-freezing

If you have leftovers, note that ice cream will become icier if re-frozen. Place leftovers in a new container and store them in the freezer for up to one month.

Frequently asked questions