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    Home >> Ice Cream

    Mocha Chunk Ice Cream (Dairy-Free, Keto)

    Published: May 8, 2019 · Modified: May 7, 2023 by Emily · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    This Dairy-Free/Sugar-Free Mocha Chunk Ice Cream has the rich combination of chocolate and espresso with chunks of healthy cookies (or cookie dough!) in every scrumptious bite! (Gluten-Free, Low-Carb, Keto, Paleo & Vegan!) Mocha Ice Cream scoop in a bowl.

    WHAT WE WANT

    Let's be real. This is what women want... Mother's Day, birthday, any day. Guaranteed heck yes:

    • Coffee
    • Chocolate
    • Ice cream
    • Cookie dough

    Even better- having them all in one!

    Oh, and can you make it healthy?

    Low carb/sugar-free, dairy-free/gluten-free and Paleo so we can eat it without feeling like garbage afterward? YES. That's not too much to ask now, is it.

    That's what I want, and I'm sharing all the delicious details below. Read on.Mocha Ice Cream after freezing.

    The Problem with Dairy-Free Ice Cream

    Here's a problem I continue to face... at the grocery store, and even at specialty ice cream shops:  The dairy-free ice creams are seriously LACKING. They're either

    • loaded with TONS of questionable ingredients/fillers/additives/stabilizers, artificial colors/flavors. And/or
    • loaded with tons of sugar or artificial sweeteners. And/or
    • They don't taste all that good. Let's be honest. 

    All I want is a natural, dairy-free/sugar-free ice cream with a FEW simple ingredients. That tastes like "REAL" ice cream.

    And now, just like Ariana Grande, "I want it, I got it." haha.

    Get REAL

    YES. Seriously. This stuff tastes like the REAL DEAL --  thanks a few simple ingredients:

    1. Coconut milk - the easy swap for heavy cream to make dairy-free ice cream! YAY!
    2. Almond butter- my secret ingredient for SUPER creamy smooth (NOT ICY) consistency! *cue choirs singing* Ahhh. It's magical and wonderful how it keeps the texture soft and silky.
    3. Cacao - for chocolate with health benefits! Hello, antioxidants.
    4. Instant Espresso Powder- for rich coffee flavor without an espresso maker! Shortcut!
    5. Monkfruit - natural sweetness without the carbs! Praise!!
    6. Vanilla & Salt - elevate the flavor AND help the texture (see guide linked below) Flavvvor!

    ps. If this is your first time making homemade dairy-free ice cream, be sure to check out my complete guide here that explains my tips, tricks, secrets and method to the BEST ice cream ever.Mocha Ice Cream  in container with a scoop.

    LEVEL UP your Homemade Ice Cream

    My favorite part of this ice cream is the CHUNKS of deliciousness throughout.

    I can't decide if I liked the raw COOKIE DOUGH chunks better, or the cookie crumbles better! They're BOTH freaking GOOD.

    I used my Vanilla Nut Bliss Ball (& cookie!) recipe I shared last week in this ice cream.

    It's a hearty, nutty cookie that's not too sweet, and is SUPER delicious mixed with this dark, rich chocolate ice cream. It's a match made in heaven - the ideal balance of flavors, the ultimate FANCY ice cream taste that elevates it from a nice ice cream, to a WOW THAT'S AMAZING ice cream.

    So for real. Don't skip the chunks.Vanilla Nut Breakfast Cookie on a plate.

    The Cookie Chunks!

    What's amazing about this cookie recipe is they are perfect FROZEN with the ice cream.

    • They *don't* get rock hard and hurt your teeth when you bite into them.
    • They *don't* get soggy.
    • They ARE super easy to make
    • They ARE delicious and healthy -- gluten/grain/sugar-free!

    You can taste the chewy, thick CHUNKS in every bite. Add as many cookies as you want into the ice cream. I used about 2 or 3 in the whole batch (which makes 4 servings of ice cream.)

    Your only choice is -- do you want cookie crumbles or chunks of dough?? Decisions, decisions...Mocha Ice Cream  in a bowl.

    How to Make Homemade Ice Cream

    First, blend the ingredients smooth in a small blender. (I use this small Ninja blender.)

    Mocha Ice Cream in a blender

    Next, chill the mixture in the blender cup in the freezer for 30-60 minutes to prevent sticking in your ice cream maker.

    Mocha Ice Cream Ingredients 1

    Do you have an ice cream maker? That does the work for you to make "REAL" ice cream QUICKLY and easily.

    Churn it about 10-15 minutes and it's ready to eat as soft serve right away. Or freeze it 1-2 hours for a firmer texture.

    Mocha Ice Cream in an ice cream maker

    How to Store

    Please note, since we're not using any additives, this ice cream is best served the same day -- freshly churned and frozen an hour or so to firm up (i.e. don't freeze it and forget about it or it *will* lose its amazing "realness")

    But yes, technically you can freeze this ice cream in an airtight container and it is safe to eat for a month or so. Thaw it in the refrigerator to soften.

    Mocha Ice Cream (Keto, Dairy-Free) PrettyPies.com

    How to Make without an Ice Cream Maker

    Don't worry. You can still make this recipe sans machine. Simply pour the mixture into a shallow dish and freeze it until it's the consistency you like.

    *However* there's a caveat -- it takes a little more time and effort.

    You need to go to the freezer about every 30 minutes and whisk the ice cream to aerate it so that it doesn't freeze rock hard. This could take anywhere from 2-4 hours, or longer. Worth the effort though, right?? 

    Another option: Freeze it into popsicle molds and make cream pops like I did in my Coffee Crunch Creamsicle recipe 🙂

    Either way, I think you're gonna LOVE this homemade ice cream!

    Mocha Ice Cream (Keto, Dairy-Free) PrettyPies.com

    Mocha Ice Cream (Keto, Dairy-Free)

    Deliciously dairy-free ice cream flavored with rich chocolate and espresso and loaded with chunks of cookies! -- without the sugar! 
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Chilling Time: 1 hour
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Author: Emily

    Ingredients

    US Customary - Metric

    Mocha Ice Cream

    • 1 13.7 oz can coconut milk - full fat
    • ¼ cup monkfruit granules - see notes for sub
    • ¼ cup cacao powder
    • 3 Tbs natural almond butter
    • 2 Tbs vanilla
    • 3-5 teaspoon instant espresso powder
    • pinch of pink salt

    Cookies

    • 2-4 cookies or dough - recipe link below

    Instructions

    To make the ice cream:

    • Place all ingredients in a blender and blend smooth.
    • Taste and adjust to your preferred level of espresso, cacao, sweetness and/or salt.
      Mocha Ice Cream Ingredients 1
    • Chill mixture for 1-2 hours (see post for how to make without an ice cream maker)
    • Churn mixture in an ice cream maker until thickened and no longer turning.
      Mocha Ice Cream in an ice cream maker
    • Sprinkle ice cream with cookie crumbles or cookie dough chunks.
    • Enjoy as soft-serve or transfer to a loaf pan and freeze until solid.
      Mocha Ice Cream (Keto, Dairy-Free) PrettyPies.com

    Notes

    To store: Best served same day - freshly made. Keep frozen. Thaw on the counter to soften.
    Sweetener alternatives: you may sub an equal amount of coconut sugar, maple sugar, organic sugar, or ⅛ teaspoon pure stevia powder.
    To use a liquid sweetener: use only the coconut cream portion of the can + 2-3 Tbs maple syrup and 2-3 Tbs coconut water or other liquid. 
    Instant espresso may be subbed for a shot of espresso. Simply reduce the coconut water by 3 Tbs. Brewed coffee may work, too, if you use double strength.
    Nutrition Facts
    Mocha Ice Cream (Keto, Dairy-Free)
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    192
    % Daily Value*
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Tried this recipe?Tag @emily.likes.food #prettypies!

    Recommended Products

    Disclosure: As an affiliate I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases made through referral links in this post.

    Mocha Ice Cream (Keto, Dairy-Free) PrettyPies.com

    Lakanto Classic Monkfruit from:

    • Thrive Market  {use my referral link to save on your order}
    • Amazon
    • Lakanto.com Click here {use code PRETTYPIES to save on your order}

    Instant Espresso Powder

    Organic Cacao Powder from Thrive Market

    Coconut Milk

    Natural Almond Butter

    Pink Salt

    Mexican Vanilla

    Macros for 1 serving (without cookie):

    Cal 192
    Fat 15
    Total Carb 18.6
    Fiber 1
    Sugar Alcohol 12
    Net Carbs 5.5
    Protein 1

    Macros for 1 cookie:

    Cal 104
    Fat 9
    Total Carb 4.5
    Fiber 2.4
    Sugar Alcohol .8
    Net Carbs 1.3
    Protein 2.6
    If you make this recipe, be sure to tag me on Instagram @emily.likes.food so I can see! 🙂
    « Vanilla Nut Bliss Balls & Breakfast Cookies (Keto, Paleo, Vegan)
    Dairy-Free Keto Almond Dreamcake »

    Filed Under: Ice Cream, Low-Carb Tagged With: chocolate, coconut milk, espresso, ice cream, low carb, monkfruit

    About Emily

    Emily is the creative force behind the food blog, Pretty Pies, a destination for people interested in healthier eating, and for those with dietary restrictions and preferences, such as dairy-free, gluten-free and egg-free.

    Emily specializes in healthy desserts that are low-carb, keto, and made with plant-based natural ingredients. She is the author of two cookbooks in the low-carb sweets niche, "PS It's Healthy," and "Yay It' Sugar-Free!"

    Her recipes have reached millions of people across the globe over a 7-year time span, and helped countless readers enjoy delicious desserts without detriment to their health.

    When she's not creating in the kitchen, she loves spending time with her family and petite Goldendoodle, Eevee, spending time in nature, and eating Tex-Mex.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. patricia

      May 08, 2019 at 11:01 am

      Wow, an ice cream that stays soft and not rock hard?
      One question....I can't do chocolate flavor, so do you think I could sub a plant-based vanilla protein powder for the cacao? Thanks.

      Reply
      • Emily

        May 08, 2019 at 11:19 am

        Hi Patricia!
        It will harden if left in the freezer too long (since it doesn’t have additives/stabilizers)

        But Yes - the vanilla protein powder should work great! If it has sweetener, you may not need to add as much though. I always say taste as you go 🙂

        Let me know if you try it! Enjoy!

        Reply
    2. Kir

      May 08, 2019 at 1:15 pm

      I am allergic to coconut. Is there another option? Thanks.

      Reply
      • Emily

        May 08, 2019 at 1:30 pm

        Yes, you can sub 1 cup almond or cashew milk + 1/2 to 3/4 cup almond or cashew butter.

        I also have an avocado ice cream. Sub the coconut cream for 1/2 cup nut butter + milk to thin to "heavy cream" consistency.

        If you try it, let me know how it goes 🙂

        Reply

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