Vegan Ube Ice Cream captures everything joyful about dessert in one dazzling purple scoop. Smooth, luscious, and packed with the unique flavor of ube, this dairy-free delight transforms any moment into something extraordinary. Whether it’s a warm afternoon or a cozy evening treat, this ice cream delivers a vibrant, creamy experience that’s as stunning to look at as it is to taste.
Ingredients Breakdown
A velvety texture starts with a carefully crafted foundation. Vegan heavy cream provides the rich body needed for a satisfying scoop, while full-fat coconut milk infuses subtle tropical notes that enhance the overall creaminess. Sweetened vegan condensed milk binds everything together with a luxurious sweetness, making the base irresistibly smooth.
Ube halaya, a luscious purple yam jam, brings an authentic richness and natural sweetness that defines the ice cream’s character. A splash of ube extract deepens the color and intensifies the flavor, creating that signature vivid hue and earthy-sweet aroma that ube lovers crave.
Even a pinch of salt plays a vital role here, accentuating the ube’s delicate nuttiness and balancing the sweetness for a full-bodied, harmonious taste.
A few essential tools guarantee a professional finish. A high-speed blender ensures the base is perfectly smooth and homogeneous, an ice cream machine transforms the mixture into a silky soft-serve, and a freezer-safe container preserves the texture while it firms up for scooping.
Step-by-Step Preparation Guide
Proper preparation begins with chilling the ice cream maker’s bowl. Placing it in the freezer for at least 12 hours is crucial, as a well-frozen bowl helps the mixture churn into a creamy consistency without forming unwanted ice crystals.
Next, all the ingredients are blended into a velvety emulsion. Combining the chilled vegan heavy cream, coconut milk, sweetened vegan condensed milk, ube halaya, ube extract, and a pinch of salt in a high-speed blender ensures everything is fully incorporated, creating a silky, vibrantly purple mixture that promises decadence.
The blended base is then poured into the ice cream machine and churned until it reaches a soft-serve consistency. Typically, this takes about 20 to 30 minutes, with the mixture thickening and becoming wonderfully airy as it turns.
Once churned, the soft ice cream is transferred into a freezer-safe container. Smoothing the surface and sealing it well ensures the ice cream sets evenly. Allow it to firm up in the freezer for at least eight hours, developing a scoopable texture that holds its shape beautifully.
When ready to serve, the ice cream should be slightly softened for a few minutes at room temperature to make scooping easier. Presented in bowls or crispy cones, it offers a rich, dreamy treat with every bite.
Recipe Tips & Frequently Asked Questions
How to avoid icy crystals in vegan ice cream
Ensure the mixture is blended smoothly and the ice cream maker’s bowl is fully frozen before churning.
The importance of well-chilled ingredients
Starting with cold cream, milk, and condensed milk shortens churning time and improves creaminess.
Blending tips for an ultra-smooth base
Blend on high speed until completely uniform, scraping the sides of the blender to prevent uneven texture.
Timing the churning for optimal texture
Churn just until it reaches soft-serve thickness—over-churning can cause the mixture to become grainy.
Can I make this ice cream without an ice cream machine?
Yes, freeze the blended base in a shallow dish, stirring every 30 minutes for 3-4 hours to mimic churning.
How long does homemade vegan ice cream last in the freezer?
Stored properly, it stays fresh for up to 2 weeks, although the texture is best within the first week.
Can I substitute the ube halaya with fresh ube?
Yes, roast or steam fresh ube, mash it until smooth, and sweeten lightly to replicate ube halaya.
What other flavors pair well with ube in ice cream?
Coconut, pandan, vanilla, and even mild citrus like calamansi beautifully complement the earthiness of ube.
What to Serve With This Recipe
Pair Vegan Ube Ice Cream with fudgy vegan brownies or a slice of rich chocolate cake for an ultra-decadent dessert experience. Its creamy and lightly floral flavor beautifully offsets the deep cocoa notes, creating a luxurious pairing.
Fresh tropical fruits like juicy mango slices, tender young coconut strips, or sweet bananas make delightful companions, adding a refreshing, natural sweetness to the plate.
For a playful twist, sandwich the ice cream between soft vegan cookies. Oatmeal, coconut, or even snickerdoodle cookies work wonderfully, turning a simple dessert into a handheld treat bursting with flavor and texture.
Creative Variations
For extra indulgence, swirl coconut caramel into the churned base before freezing. This ripple of golden sweetness adds a luxurious depth that complements the ube perfectly.
To bring more texture to each bite, sprinkle toasted coconut flakes or crushed roasted cashews on top before serving. The crunch contrasts beautifully with the creamy ice cream.
For a tropical layered dessert, alternate scoops of ube ice cream with mango sorbet or coconut ice cream in a parfait glass. This combination not only looks stunning but also offers a symphony of flavors that transport you straight to paradise.
Vegan Ube Ice Cream is a celebration of rich flavors, creamy textures, and eye-catching colors. With its captivating purple hue and unmistakable taste, it offers a plant-based alternative that doesn’t compromise on indulgence or satisfaction. Whether enjoyed simply on its own or dressed up with fruits and toppings, this dreamy treat is destined to become a beloved favorite in any dessert lineup.
Ingredients
2 cups Vegan heavy cream, well-chilled
1 cup Full-fat coconut milk
11.25 ounces Sweetened vegan condensed milk
3/4 cup Vegan ube halaya (purple yam jam)
1/2 tablespoon Ube extract
Pinch of Salt
Instructions
Start by preparing your equipment. Place the ice cream maker’s churning bowl into the freezer at least 12 hours before you plan to churn. This ensures it’s properly frozen, which is crucial for achieving a creamy texture without icy crystals.
Next, blend all the ingredients. In a high-speed blender, combine the chilled vegan heavy cream, coconut milk, sweetened vegan condensed milk, ube halaya, ube extract, and a pinch of salt. Blend on high until the mixture becomes completely smooth and uniform in color.
Pour the blended mixture into your ice cream machine. Churn according to your manufacturer’s guidelines, typically between 20 to 30 minutes, until the mixture thickens to a soft-serve consistency.
Once churned, transfer the soft ice cream into a freezer-safe container. Smooth the top, cover tightly, and place it in the freezer. Allow it to firm up completely for at least 8 hours or overnight.
When ready to serve, scoop the vibrant purple ice cream into bowls or cones and enjoy a rich, creamy treat that’s packed with authentic ube flavor.
Vegan Ube Ice Cream Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups Vegan heavy cream well-chilled
- 1 cup Full-fat coconut milk
- 11.25 ounces Sweetened vegan condensed milk
- 3/4 cup Vegan ube halaya purple yam jam
- 1/2 tablespoon Ube extract
- Pinch of Salt
Instructions
- Start by preparing your equipment. Place the ice cream maker’s churning bowl into the freezer at least 12 hours before you plan to churn. This ensures it’s properly frozen, which is crucial for achieving a creamy texture without icy crystals.
- Next, blend all the ingredients. In a high-speed blender, combine the chilled vegan heavy cream, coconut milk, sweetened vegan condensed milk, ube halaya, ube extract, and a pinch of salt. Blend on high until the mixture becomes completely smooth and uniform in color.
- Pour the blended mixture into your ice cream machine. Churn according to your manufacturer’s guidelines, typically between 20 to 30 minutes, until the mixture thickens to a soft-serve consistency.
- Once churned, transfer the soft ice cream into a freezer-safe container. Smooth the top, cover tightly, and place it in the freezer. Allow it to firm up completely for at least 8 hours or overnight.
- When ready to serve, scoop the vibrant purple ice cream into bowls or cones and enjoy a rich, creamy treat that’s packed with authentic ube flavor.
