Friday, July 6, 2012

Coconut Vanilla Bean Ice Cream With "Caramel" Sauce (dairy free, cane-sugar free, SCD friendly)

One thing I haven't had in years is caramel.  As a child I just loved warm caramel drizzled over ice cream (ahhh).  I've been experimenting with a few different "caramel" sauces, and I think this one is my favorite.  Does it taste just like caramel, no.  Does it taste delicious, yes.  Is it a fun topping on ice cream, yes and yes.  One ingredient that gives it a nice creamy texture is cashew butter.  I always have some of this brand on hand (as I use it to make Danielle's awesome bread).  It's an expensive brand, but it has a creamy texture I've yet to replicate.  It's sweet and delicious and makes the most amazing cashew icings.  
SCD Coconut Vanilla Bean Ice Cream 
Ingredients:
-2 cans coconut milk, this brand is SCD friendly
-4 ounces of seeded Medjool dates (7 dates)
-1/3 cup honey (vegans use grade B maple syrup) 
-1 1/2 tablespoons vanilla
-Filling from 1 vanilla bean 

How To:
1.  Soak dates with 1 can of the coconut milk for at least 3 hours
2.  Blend above ingredients until well incorporated
3.  Transfer to ice cream maker and churn until thick
4.  Transfer to glass storage and store in freezer for at least 4 hours
5.  Remove 10-15 minutes before serving (depending on the season- summer 10 minutes, cooler weather, give it up to 15)

"Caramel" Sauce 
Ingredients:
-4 ounces of seeded Medjool dates (around 6 or 7) soaked for at least 3 hours
-2 tablespoons melted coconut oil 
-2 tablespoons honey (vegans use grade B maple syrup) 
-1/4 teaspoon vanilla
-1/8 teaspoon salt
-2 tablespoons cashew butter (optional, but worth it)

How To:
1.  In food processor, blend above ingredients until well incorporated and creamy
2.  Serve immediately on ice cream
3.  Store in fridge and bring to room temp, or warm slightly, before serving 
Shared on: Just Another Meatless Monday, Melt in your Mouth Mondays, Monday Mania, My Meatless Mondays, Mealtime Monday, Fat Tuesday, Slightly Indulgent Tuesdays, Recipe Box Tuesdays, Traditional Tuesdays, Allergy-Free Wednesdays, Real Food Wednesdays, Gluten Free Wednesdays, Pennywise Platter Thursdays, Simple Lives Thursdays, Frugal Food Thursdays Fresh Bites Friday, Fight Back Friday, Friday Food, Show Off Friday, Freaky Friday, Wellness Weekend, Allergy-Friendly Fridays, 
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Posted by Amber at 3:27 PM
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31 comments:

  1. gfe--gluten free easilyJuly 6, 2012 at 7:00 PM

    You AMAZE me! When do you sleep? Awesome recipe and gorgeous photos, Amber!

    xoxo,
    Shirley

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    • Thanks Shirley. You're too funny. This recipe is so fast and easy, I make it a few times each week. And I live with a family of ice cream lovers, so I make several batches each week. I think this vanilla bean is my new favorite. It makes a delicious chocolate milkshake.

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  2. This looks so DELICIOUS!!!! Then to scroll down and see the berries..ahhh! My mouth is watering! I love finding a tasty alternative to some of my favorite past food loves! I don't think I look for things to be exactly the same, just fill the void a bit and taste yummy!

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    • Thanks Christina...and I can't agree with you more. It took me a while to be okay with not getting a recipe to taste exactly like the original...how could it with completely different ingredients. :-)

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  3. Ohhhh my goodness. This is by FAR my favorite combination ever. THANK YOU for this. :)

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  4. Absolutely awesome Amber! Gorgeous pictures too!

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  5. glutenfreehappytummy.comJuly 7, 2012 at 7:55 AM

    my oh my Amber, that caramel sauce looks absolutely outrageous! i think i could probably bathe in it! haha...jk jk:) such gorgeous photos too -- very artistic:) have a great weekend! Hugs!

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    • I have a hard time not eating this ENTIRE thing. It's so delicious. That cashew butter is a dream. But this "caramel" also tastes great without it. Hope you're having a great weekend too dear.

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  6. Amber, you never cease to amaze me! I just ate breakfast and I already want it to be dessert time to make this amazing treat. I haven't played around with cashew butter before. I guess I better start. A healthy "caramel" sauce to go on top of homemade ice cream-count me in daily! Thanks for sharing this amazing recipe dear.

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    • Thanks sweet friend. I thought you might like this one, with you being the ice cream queen and all. :-)

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  7. Heather @Gluten-Free CatJuly 8, 2012 at 12:25 PM

    That caramel sauce looks magical! I love that you use dates and honey to sweeten it. it must taste incredible on your ice cream. I'm thinking it would be a delicious addition to a breakfast cereal too...hot or cold.

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    • Thanks Heather. It does taste incredible. And I love your idea of putting it on breakfast cereal. Actually, I made some granola bars with this sauce, however they didn't hold (at least not like I like my granola bars to feel). But oh boy are they nummy. Hope you're having a great Sunday.

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  8. France@beyondthepeelJuly 8, 2012 at 2:31 PM

    I love the simplicity and all of these flavorful natural foods that come together so beautifully. Gorgeous Amber.

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  9. Liese @HighRawOmnivoreJuly 8, 2012 at 4:40 PM

    Oh wow, I'm so glad I found you just for the ice cream recipe, let alone tha caramel sauce! It's just what I've been looking for! *drools*

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  10. Sarena Shasteen - The Non-Dairy QueenJuly 9, 2012 at 7:40 AM

    This looks amazing! I have a huge thing of dates that I keep thinking to use as a sweetener, but I always put it aside. I need to get with it and start using them!

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  11. Allison HoldenJuly 9, 2012 at 8:56 AM

    I've never tried a caramel sauce made with dates before. Definitely pinning this!

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    • Thanks Allison. Let me know if you give it a try. The cashew butter makes it super creamy, but still a great sauce without. Can't go wrong with honey and dates (oh, and that lovey coconut oil).

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  12. Super post. I got to this via Mealtime Monday on Couponing and Cooking. I have linked in some bacon and scrambled egg rolls. Enjoy.

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  13. Nicole@Show Off FridayJuly 16, 2012 at 10:31 AM

    Hi Amber. What a delicious looking treat!

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  14. amberbarracloughJuly 17, 2012 at 5:42 AM

    this looks sooo yummy! pinning - can't wait to try it soon!
    found you on show off friday linky party :-)
    amber from ithoughtofitsecond.blogspot.com

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  15. I think you made quite a sensation with this. Certainly, you did at the Recipe Box where this delicious dish is being featured.

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  16. Mmm vanilla ice cream is my fave. I've been making it waaay too much this summer, lol. Your ice cream and caramel has my mouth watering!!!

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  17. So delicious! I could definitely go for this right now!

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  18. this was AMAZING!!

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  19. Jen, thanks for publishing, this is such a lovely recipe! I'm giving it a shout-out on my blog, as an accompaniment to an Apple Cinnamon Cake :)

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