Best Keto Ice Cream: Heavy Whipping Cream Options

There are many keto-friendly ice cream options available at the grocery store, but they can be expensive. Luckily, it is possible to make your own keto ice cream at home, and some recipes only require a few basic ingredients. Heavy whipping cream is a common ingredient in keto ice cream recipes, and it can be used to make a variety of flavors, including vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry. Some recipes also include sweeteners such as erythritol or monk fruit, and thickeners like xanthan gum or beef gelatin. Keto ice cream can be made with or without an ice cream maker, and it typically needs to be frozen for several hours before serving.

Keto ice cream recipes with heavy whipping cream

Overview

Keto ice cream is a great dessert option for those on a ketogenic diet, which traditionally involves a reduction in sugar and carbohydrate intake. While traditional ice cream is often high in sugar and carbs, keto-friendly alternatives are available at grocery stores and can also be made at home with a few simple ingredients. Here are some recipes for keto ice cream that include heavy whipping cream as one of the main ingredients:

Vanilla Keto Ice Cream

This recipe combines heavy whipping cream with zero-calorie powdered sweetener, vanilla extract, and xanthan gum. It is a straightforward recipe that does not require an ice cream machine. Here are the steps to make it:

• Combine the cream, sweetener, vanilla extract, and xanthan gum in a wide-mouth pint-sized jar.
• Use an immersion blender to blend the mixture until it thickens and forms soft peaks.
• Cover the jar and place it in the freezer for 3 to 4 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent it from freezing rock-hard.
• If desired, add a small amount of vodka to the mixture to improve scoopability without altering the taste.
• For a softer texture, let the ice cream sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before serving.

Keto No-Churn Ice Cream

This recipe uses a combination of heavy whipping cream, zero-calorie powdered sweetener, vanilla extract, and xanthan gum. It is a simple no-churn method that does not require an ice cream maker:

• Combine the cream, sweetener, vanilla extract, and xanthan gum in a deep jar and gently mix.
• Use an immersion blender to blend the mixture until it thickens and forms soft peaks.
• Cover the jar and place it in the freezer for at least 4 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent crystallization.
• For a softer texture, let the ice cream sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving.

Low-Carb Keto Ice Cream

This recipe takes a bit more time and effort but yields a delicious and creamy keto ice cream. It uses heavy whipping cream as the base and includes additional ingredients such as butter, almond milk, and a powdered monk fruit-allulose blend sweetener:

• Melt butter in a large saute pan over medium heat.
• Add the powdered sweetener and 2 cups of heavy cream, bringing the mixture to a boil before reducing to a simmer.
• Simmer until the mixture thickens and reduces by half, stirring occasionally.
• Pour the condensed milk into a bowl and allow it to cool to room temperature, then stir in the vanilla extract.
• Whisk in the almond milk and the remaining heavy cream until smooth.
• Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight.
• Transfer the mixture to an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer's instructions until it reaches a soft-serve consistency.
• For a firmer ice cream, transfer the mixture to a freezer-safe container and freeze for an additional 2 to 4 hours.

No-Churn Keto Ice Cream with Various Bases

This recipe provides a basic guide to making no-churn keto ice cream with different base options, including heavy whipping cream. Here are the steps:

• Pick the right sweeteners that won't cause the ice cream to become rock-hard. Recommended options include a combination of Swerve Sweetener and either allulose or BochaSweet.
• Whip the heavy cream to stiff peaks, which replaces the churning process and gives the ice cream a lighter texture.
• Fold the whipped cream into the thicker base using a large silicone spatula until fully combined.
• Transfer the mixture to an airtight container and freeze for at least 8 hours until it firms up properly.
• Optional: Add mix-ins such as chocolate chips, nuts, or swirls of keto caramel sauce.

3-Ingredient Keto Ice Cream

This recipe is a quick and easy option that only requires three ingredients and a food processor. It uses frozen fruit, cold heavy whipping cream, and a sweetener like stevia or monk fruit powder:

• Add frozen fruit of choice to a small food processor and process until broken into pieces.
• Drizzle in the cold heavy cream and sprinkle in the sweetener, then process until the mixture is smooth.
• If the mixture gets stuck, break it apart with a fork and process again, or add more heavy cream for a softer texture.
• Serve immediately as the ice cream tends to melt quickly at room temperature.

Keto ice cream recipes without an ice cream maker

The Base

There are many ways to make keto ice cream without an ice cream maker. The base of the ice cream is usually a combination of heavy whipping cream, coconut milk, or coconut cream. Some recipes also include eggs, which need to be heated on the stove with the other ingredients until a foamy layer forms on top.

Sweeteners

The type of sweetener used is important as it affects the texture of the ice cream. Sugar alcohols like erythritol can result in rock-hard ice cream, while powdered sweeteners like Besti Powdered Monk Fruit Allulose Blend, powdered allulose, or powdered Swerve Sweetener keep the ice cream soft and scoopable. Other options include liquid sweeteners like BochaSweet, or a combination of Swerve Sweetener and either allulose or BochaSweet.

Flavors

Vanilla is a popular base flavor, but there are many other options to choose from. For chocolate ice cream, simply add unsweetened cocoa powder to the base. Other flavor options include strawberry, mint chocolate chip, butter pecan, salted caramel, peanut butter cup, birthday cake, and brownie batter.

Method

To make keto ice cream without an ice cream maker, first combine all the ingredients in a deep jar and gently mix. Then, use an immersion or stick mixer to blend the mixture until it thickens and soft peaks form. Cover the jar and place it in the freezer for at least four hours, stirring every 30 to 40 minutes to prevent it from becoming icy.

Tips

• Adding a stabilizer like xanthan gum will help prevent the ice cream from becoming icy or crystallizing.
• For best results, stir the mixture every 30 minutes for the first couple of hours.
• Let the ice cream sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before serving to soften it.
• Adding a small amount of alcohol, such as vodka, will make the ice cream easier to scoop.
• To store leftovers, place them in a new container and store them in the freezer for up to one month.

Keto ice cream toppings

There are plenty of keto-friendly ice cream options available in grocery stores, but they can be expensive. Luckily, it's easy to make your own keto ice cream at home with just a few basic ingredients and a hand mixer.

One simple recipe includes only heavy cream, a sweetener, and xanthan gum. This basic vanilla recipe can be customised with tons of flavours, including chocolate, cookies and cream, strawberry, and peanut butter cup.

Once you've made your ice cream, you can add toppings to make it extra special. Here are some keto-friendly options:

• Fruit: whole or chopped fresh raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
• Coconut: unsweetened toasted coconut chips.
• Nuts: chopped or shaved low-carb chocolate with nuts, such as ChocoPerfection bars.
• Candy: sugar-free peanut butter candy, low-carb sprinkles, or Jelly Belly Sugar Free Jelly Beans.
• Sauces: whipped cream, low-carb chocolate sauce, low-carb hazelnut spread, low-carb caramel sauce, or sugar-free maple syrup.
• Syrups: sugar-free coffee syrups in a variety of flavours, such as cinnamon dolce, pumpkin spice, maple pecan, or vanilla.

Keto ice cream vs regular ice cream

Keto Ice Cream vs. Regular Ice Cream

Keto ice cream is a popular alternative to regular ice cream for those on a ketogenic diet. The keto diet involves drastically reducing your intake of carbohydrates and eating the majority of your calories from fat, with a moderate amount coming from protein. This means that regular ice cream, which is usually high in carbs and sugar, is off the menu for those following this diet.

Ingredients

Keto ice cream is often made with a combination of fat and sugar substitutes. Heavy whipping cream is a popular main ingredient, along with fruit, nuts, cocoa powder, and sugar substitutes such as erythritol, allulose, or monk fruit. Some recipes also include egg yolks, vegetable glycerin, milk protein, and natural flavorings.

Regular ice cream, on the other hand, typically contains cream or milk, sugar, and a flavoring agent such as fruit or vanilla.

Taste and Texture

Keto ice cream can be just as tasty and creamy as regular ice cream, but it may have a higher fat content, which can make it richer and more calorie-dense. It is also lower in carbohydrates and sugar than regular ice cream, which can be beneficial for those watching their blood sugar or following a ketogenic diet.

One challenge with keto ice cream is that it can be harder to scoop straight out of the freezer and may require some time to soften. This is due to the lower sugar content, as sugar tends to prevent ice cream from freezing too hard.

Availability

Keto ice cream is becoming increasingly available in grocery stores, with brands like Rebel Creamery, Arctic Zero, Enlightened Keto, Halo Top, So Delicious, KETO Foods, and Breyer’s Carb Smart offering keto-friendly options. However, some people prefer to make their own keto ice cream at home to ensure it meets their dietary needs and taste preferences.

Regular ice cream, of course, is widely available in countless flavors and brands and can be found in almost any grocery store or convenience store.

Overall

Keto ice cream is a great alternative to regular ice cream for those following a ketogenic diet or looking to reduce their sugar intake. While it may be more challenging to find and may require some softening before serving, it can be just as delicious and satisfying as regular ice cream.

Dairy-free keto ice cream

Ingredients:

• 2 cans (14 oz each) unsweetened coconut milk
• 1/3 cup powdered erythritol or sweetener of choice
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons vanilla paste
• 2 tablespoons vodka or white rum

Directions:

• In a medium mixing bowl, combine coconut milk, powdered sweetener, vanilla extract, vanilla paste, and vodka. (You can substitute the alcohol with a sugar-free syrup if you prefer.)
• Refrigerate the mixture for 2 hours.
• Pour the ice cream base into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer's instructions. If you don't have an ice cream maker, you can add the mixture to a mason jar and shake until thickened, or mix using an electric mixer or blender.
• Freeze for 6-8 hours or overnight.

This dairy-free keto ice cream is perfect for those who are lactose intolerant, vegan, or on a keto diet. It has a rich and creamy texture similar to traditional ice cream, but without the dairy. You can also add different flavors, such as chocolate, strawberry, or mocha, to create a variety of delicious dairy-free ice cream treats.

Frequently asked questions