Coffee Ice Cream. Dairy-free Coffee Ice Cream. Worthy of any celebration or simply to celebrate one’s existence any day!
Last weekend, we got together with Mom and Dad to celebrate two special occasions, a big birthday for Mom as well as Mom and Dad’s 55th wedding anniversary. Mom and Dad like simple celebrations with family; they don’t like a big fuss made over them.
I knew we’d pick up a half bushel of just cooked, steamed crabs on the way, but I needed to come up with a dessert plan on the spur of the moment. Ice cream is always a welcome treat after crabs for our family, so I pondered the options.
I remembered that I’d saved the brewed coffee from my recent waffle-making experience. I had simply poured the leftover coffee into a glass jar and popped it in the freezer.
Ah, Coffee Ice Cream sounded really good—specifically Dairy-Free Coffee Ice Cream—especially when I could control the intensity of the coffee flavor. I’m not always a fan of store-bought coffee ice cream. I pulled out the coffee to thaw while I worked on making something to accompany the ice cream.
My sister and her husband had visited my parents the previous day to celebrate. They had all enjoyed a traditional birthday cake then. So I wanted to do something different. Finally, I decided to make a healthier version of my Oatmeal Marble Squares.
This is a recipe I’ve been making for many years. After going gluten free, I simply swapped out the all-purpose (gluten) flour with a gluten-free flour mix. It worked perfectly; no other modifications were needed. However, this time since we’d be enjoying the oatmeal squares with ice cream, I decided to make them a bit less decadent.
Dairy-Free Coffee Ice Cream Recipe
Wanting to make good use of my time (and quickly running out of it!) before we headed to Mom and Dad’s, I baked the Oatmeal Marble Squares, while I also churned the Coffee Ice Cream. Dairy-free ice cream made using coconut milk could not be easier.
Thankfully, for those who eat dairy free, it also could not be more delicious! Everyone—as in folks with no dietary restrictions at all—that I share homemade coconut milk ice cream with ends up truly loving it. Most say they don’t even taste the coconut milk.
In this recipe, the coffee provides a very nice flavor, but nothing too strong. Mr. GFE doesn’t like coffee anything, so I didn’t even tell him that it was Coffee Ice Cream until after he’d given this flavor his earnest approval.
Mom and Dad loved this ice cream, too. Especially with it topping an Oatmeal Marble Square.
Oh, how I agreed! This dairy-free coffee ice cream is wonderful on its own but pairing it with a favorite treat makes both the ice cream and the treat more special. How will you enjoy this Coffee Ice Cream?
Dairy-Free Coffee Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cup full-fat coconut milk, chilled
- 1 cup brewed coffee, chilled
- 1 tbsp Grand Marnier liqueur (or similar; optional)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ cup honey
- ½ cup coconut sugar (or brown sugar)
Instructions
- Mix all together in blender or a bowl using your mixer.
- Add mixture to already frozen ice cream tub.
- Churn about 25 minutes.
- Freeze additional amount of time before serving, if needed.
Notes
You can probably cut back on the honey and coconut sugar (or brown sugar) a bit if you like. I made this version with Mom and Dad in mind.
If I were making it just for us, I'd probably go with 1/3 cup of each for a total of 2/3 cup sweetener versus the 1/2 cup of each that I used in this version.
More Gluten-Free Coffee-Flavored Desserts You Should Check Out
~ Almond Coffee Chocolate Chip Cookies
~ Chocolate Coffee Zucchini Bread
Originally published September 14, 2010; updated July 24, 2018.
Debi says
You know, if I made Coffee Ice Cream, it would be all mine. My husband can’t stand coffee! He doesn’t know what he’s missing.
Shirley says
Debi–Well, there’s nothing wrong with making some just for you! Just freeze most for later. However, your husband might like this ice cream. Mr. GFE doesn’t like coffee either, but he loved this. I didn’t tell him what it was until after he said he liked it. 😉
Shirley
Nikky says
Yum! I am definitely going to try this.
Shirley says
Hey Nikky–Looks like you are new to gfe–welcome! 🙂 I hope you’ll report back after you give this recipe a try. 😉
Shirley
Iris says
Ooh, ice cream and oatmeal squares together!? What could be better? Thanks for joining in on the Fall Specials! Everyone’s loving the recipes!
Shirley says
Hey Iris–Well, mom and dad sure appreciated the combo! 😉 I served the super ooey gooey version to my group last night. No coffee ice cream, but it sure would have been a nice addition. 🙂
Your Fall Specials series is terrific. Truly.
I’ll be thinking of you and your big move tomorrow! xo,
Shirley
Kim @ Cook It Allergy Free says
Woah! That coffee ice cream sounds perfect. Coffee is one of my favorite flavors (and morning treats). Last year my husband bought me a fancy espresso machine, and it is my most looked-forward to part of my day. I think about my coffee as soon as I wake up in the morning. I think this coffee would be so so yummy!
And now I am off to Iris’ to check out your oatmeal squares! They sound awesome as well!
xo
Kim
Shirley says
Hi Kim–Is that where all your energy and perkiness (good perkiness BTW) come from? Being such a die-hard coffee fan, you might have to up the coffee level in this recipe and back off on the coconut milk a bit. 😉
Hope you liked the oatmeal squares, too! They’re a family favorite. 🙂
xo,
Shirley
Kim @ Cook It Allergy Free says
Lol! Shirley, I have definitely been known to be called “perky” especially after a couple cups of my morning coffee treat! I think Kurt regrets sometimes buying me that machine! He often tells me I have too much energy in the mornings! 😉
Shirley says
Ha ha, Kim! Sometimes it’s wise to hold back—just a tad, perhaps—on one’s energy/perkiness when others are not so “with it” in the mornings. 😉
Shirley
Maggie says
Shirley I want this combo for dessert tonight. Please! Your parents are lucky! Wish them a Happy 55th for me! That’s amazing.
Shirley says
Hey Maggie–I certainly think you’d enjoy this combo! 🙂 Any time you stop by, I’ll make it for you. 😉 Quick and easy. Thanks for the anniversary wishes for Mom and Dad! They are inspiring for sure!
Shirley
Celiacs in the House says
Coffee ice cream. Why do I never think of stuff this good? I know. I still have kids around who prefer peach or strawberry or chocolate. I think it’s time for some grown-up ice cream at my house.
Shirley says
Wendy–The kids are off at college, right? It’s certainly time to enjoy some more adult-worthy ice cream. 🙂 Well, when you are not gone for hours at a time on sensational wine tours, that is. 😉
Shirley
glutenfreeforgood says
There was (is?) a Ben & Jerry’s coffee ice cream that I tried one time that was delicious. I’ve made all kinds of ice cream over time, but never thought to add coffee. Sounds fun and fairly easy as well. AND, I finally bought some coconut sugar a couple weeks ago. Haven’t used it yet, but plan to soon. Fig ice cream, maybe? I have a bunch of figs, might have to try that. I’ll keep you posted. =) Thanks for the inspiration. And congratulations to your parents. Fifty-five years is definitely something to celebrate!
Melissa
xo
Shirley says
Hi Melissa–I absolutely love how you are not “up” at all on any of the ready-made foods out there. That’s a testament to your healthy, real food approach, for sure! But, I can’t believe you’ve never made coffee ice cream. I mean you make beet ice cream for goodness sake. LOL Okay, I think you need to try coffee ice cream, but now that you’ve mentioned the possibility of a fig ice cream … oh man, does that sound good! Coffee-fig ice cream, perhaps? 😉
Thanks for the sweet words for Mom and Dad!
Shirley
Linda says
Now I can’t wait to make some coffee ice cream. I don’t know why I didn’t think of that. Going to check out the giveaways…
Shirley says
Linda–I think you’ll like it, when you give it a try, Linda! 🙂
Shirley
Alta says
Yay for homemade coffee ice cream! Yum!
Shirley says
Hi Alta–Thanks—it’s delicious. 😉
Shirley
sea says
You had me at coffee! It was always my favorite as a teenager… *sigh* of course, that was the dairy version. But, soon I think I may be able to eat dairy again!
-Sea
Shirley says
Hi Sea—Oooh, getting to add dairy back in your diet will expand your horizons! 🙂 I don’t think you’d complain about this dairy-free coffee ice cream though. 😉
Shirley
Karina says
I am imagining the taste of coffee and coconut milk. Brilliant. Sounds like heaven.
Shirley says
Hi Karina–Thanks so much! I think you’d really enjoy this ice cream. 🙂
Shirley
Brian says
You know, I swore last Summer that I would by an ice cream maker and I haven’t done it yet. Those ingredients call to me. Looks delicious!
Shirley says
Hi Brian–Nice to see you again! So many folks have sworn off ice cream makers. Is it a self-preservation thing? 😉 Because I think you would be one who would have a blast making up your own ice cream flavors!
Thanks for the kind words on this flavor! Good luck in the giveaway! 🙂
Shirley
Sophie says
Waw!! What an awesome looking dessert!! Yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm,…I am loving it!!
Who wouldn’t????
Kisses from sunny Brussel to you!
Shirley says
Hi Sophie–So nice to see you my overly enthusiastic gluten-free friend! 🙂 (Don’t stop the enthusiasm … I love your comments!) Thanks so much! Glad you like this comment and so glad Brussels is sunny, too. 😉
xo,
Shirley
Nancy @ TheSensitivePantry says
Love this! You combined two of my favorite things — coffee and ice cream. And I noticed the oatmeal squares have chocolate in them. That’s 3 for 3!
Shirley says
Hi Nancy–LOL on 3 for 3! Glad I met all your needs! 😉
Happy Friday to you … hugs,
Shirley
Ann Kroeker says
Mmmm…I know what I’m making for my husband’s birthday next summer! Your pictures are great–thanks for linking to Food on Fridays.
Shirley says
Ann, you are quick!!! LOL Glad to provide a birthday-worthy recipe for you. 🙂 Thanks for the kind words!
I’m always happy to link up! Sometimes I just get caught up in all that Friday constitutes and forget. 😉 FYI–I think my comment may have gone into Spam on your post. 🙁
Shirley
Beth says
Um, that coffee ice cream with Gran Marnier?!?! I need to make that ASAP. I love, love, love coffee ice cream, but a little liqueur never hurt anyone, either. Shirley, you are killing me over here!! : )
Shirley says
Hi Beth–LOL So nice to see you! 🙂 Hope things are going swimmingly in your newlywed life! I do think you’ll like this one. If you like strong coffee flavor, you might want to cut back on the coconut milk a tad and add that additional amount of coffee. Look forward to your version! 😉
Shirley
Carol, Simply...Gluten-free says
Love this! I have been hearing a lot about coconut sugar lately but have never tried it, this seems like the perfect recipe to take it out for a spin 🙂
Shirley says
Hi Carol–Thanks so much! I think you will LOVE coconut sugar. 🙂
Hugs,
Shirley