S'mores Ice Cream

S'mores are the epitome of summer dessert. How could a person possibly make them more summery you ask? Merge them with ice cream. That's how. This S'mores Ice Cream is sweet, creamy and totally dairy-free. Great for hot weather indulgence and great for your tastebuds. Let's learn how to make it!

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S'mores Ice Cream Ingredients

While making homemade ice cream may be a daunting task, most of the ingredients can be found at your local grocery store - for cheap! What's more, anything you can't find can easily be purchased online. Here is your grocery list:

For the Ice Cream

• Full Fat Coconut Milk: For this recipe it is really important to use full fat coconut milk from the can. To clarify, this will give your ice cream creamy texture and body. Do not substitute with light coconut milk or coconut milk from the carton.
• Agave Nectar: Agave nectar is a light-colored syrup. With this in mind, it will act as our liquid sweetener. If you can't find it you can substitute 100% pure maple syrup.
• Canola Oil: This recipe needs just a small amount of canola oil. Canola oil it totally flavorless so it won't impact the taste of our ice cream. It will just give it that melt in your mouth texture.
• White Rum: A couple teaspoons of alcohol are necessary when making homemade ice cream. As alcohol doesn't freeze, it will help keep your ice cream from getting icy when it is stored in the freezer. If you don't have rum on hand you can substitute another clear alcohol like vodka.
• Vanilla Bean Paste: I like to use vanilla bean paste when making ice cream due to it's more highly-concentrated vanilla flavor as well as the flecks of vanilla bean. If you can't find it you can substitute vanilla extract.
• Guar Gum: Guar gum is a powdered emulsifier. It has thickening and stabilizing properties that are absolutely necessary in homemade ice cream. Without it your ice cream will not hold together well.

For the Mix-Ins

• Graham Crackers: When looking for vegan graham crackers always be sure to read the ingredients listed on the box. While most crackers don't contain dairy, many do contain honey which strict vegans avoid.
• Mini Vegan Marshmallows: Many people don't know that not all marshmallows are vegan. Most brands contain gelatin which is an animal-derived ingredient. Thankfully there are brands that omit this ingredient. My favorites are Dandies and Trader Joe's brand.
• Nondairy Chocolate Chips: Most semi-sweet chocolate chips are naturally dairy free but always read the ingredients on the bag. If you are having trouble finding nondairy chips, dark chocolate will work fine.

Steps to Make Homemade S'mores Ice Cream

1. Start by reading the instructions for your ice cream maker. All models are different and are prepped differently. It is important to read the instructions before you start the recipe as some machines require their base to be frozen for at least 8 hours before use.
2. Create your ice cream base! Blend together all of the ingredients (sans the mix-ins) in a high speed blender. Transfer to a sealable container and place it in the fridge. The key to great homemade ice cream is keeping all of your ingredients as cold as possible to create ice crystals. Chill for AT LEAST 4 hours. Overnight works best.
3. Get churning! Start churning once your ice cream maker is prepared and your ice cream base has been chilled. Run the ice cream base through the machine according to manufacturer instructions. Once the ice cream comes together, add in the graham crackers and marshmallows. Once evenly distributed, turn off the machine.
4. Freeze the ice cream. Transfer the ice cream from the machine to an airtight container. Swirl in the chocolate according to instructions in the recipe card below. Seal tightly and freeze for at least 8 hours. Patience is a virtue!

Tips For Making Homemade Vegan Ice Cream

1. You don't need an expensive ice cream maker. When I first decided that I wanted to be the kind of person who made their own ice cream, I thought I would be spending an arm and a leg on a machine. Not true! It turns out you can buy one for pretty cheap and they work great!
2. Cold, cold, cold. Keeping everything as cold as possible will give you the best results. This requires a lot of patience but I promise you it is better than the alternative of being left with soupy ice cream. Freeze the base of your ice cream maker overnight (if required per model instructions), chill your prepared ice cream base thoroughly, and freeze the final product for 8 hours before digging in.
3. If you don't want to have chocolate swirled throughout the ice cream, use it as a topping instead! The first couple times I made this recipe I drizzled the chocolate on like hot fudge.
4. Roasted marshmallows are another fun topping! If you want extra points, push a marshmallow onto a fork and roast it on the stove. Once it's crispy and ooey gooey, plop it on top of your ice cream. It will make the whole experience seem super authentic.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is s'mores flavor?

S'mores are made up of a combination of graham crackers, roasted marshmallows and chocolate. Traditionally, s'mores are made by roasting a marshmallow over a campfire and sandwiching it between two graham cracker and chocolate squares.

Do I need to use an ice cream maker?

For this recipe, yes. While recipes for homemade "no churn" ice cream exist, this isn't one of them. The ice cream base requires the ice cream maker to help generate the ice crystals that will ultimately give it bulk and allow it to solidify properly.

What is the secret ingredient in homemade ice cream?

Homemade ice cream includes two secret ingredients:

1. Guar gum is a powder that acts as an emulsifier when added to our ice cream base. As a result, it will hold your ice cream together. Without it, your ice cream will break apart in icy chunks.
2. Alcohol is another homemade ice cream secret. Alcohol doesn't freeze. When added in small amounts to ice cream, it helps with scoop-ability. It also keeps your ice cream safe from freezer burn.

Are marshmallows vegan?

Unfortunately most marshmallows aren't considered vegan. Many brands contain gelatin which is an animal-derived ingredient. Some great vegan marshmallow brands include Dandies and Trader Joe's brand.

How to Serve/Store S'mores Ice Cream

To serve your homemade s'mores ice cream, scoop out the desired amount into a serving dish or a sugar cone. You can also drizzle with additional chocolate sauce or top with roasted marshmallows if you'd like.

S'mores Ice Cream will keep tightly-sealed in the freezer for up to 1 month. This recipe only makes 1 pint so good luck getting it to last that long!

If you make this recipe, please tag @censoredbaker on Instagram!

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More Vegan Ice Cream Recipes

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• Vegan Rocky Road Ice Cream
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