You only need 5 ingredients to make the most delicious sugar free ice cream at home! This easy low carb vanilla ice cream recipe tastes unbelievably creamy – a dessert staple for any time of the year.
Do you love ice cream? I can seriously eat it all year round and I think it’s a great dessert when I’ve got friends over. There are not many people who’ll pass on a scoop of ice cream after dinner, especially when it’s decorated with a decadent chocolate drizzle!
I have yet to find a sugar free ice cream in the shops that I like to eat. All brands use either sweeteners such as maltitol which raise your blood sugar levels or contain artificial ingredients which makes them taste strangely fake.
It boils down to this: if you want to eat an ice cream made without sugar containing real, simple ingredients, you’ve got to make it yourself.
The good news is, homemade low carb ice cream tastes incredible delicious AND it’s easy to make!
You need a bit of patience – it needs a few hours to cool and set – but it’s well worth the wait.
It is completely possible to make great-tasting no-churn sugar free ice cream, as I have done with this chocolate avocado ice cream (it uses a mix of coconut milk and whipped cream).
However, the result will never be as smooth and creamy as ice-cream made in an ice-cream maker. Also, it’s a LOT more involved. You’ll have to stir it in regular intervals whilst it’s chilling in the freezer to break up the ice crystals.
This recipe is designed to be used with an ice cream maker. I know an ice-cream maker takes up space and you might not be keen on yet another kitchen appliance. But if you love sugar free ice cream and have enough people about the house who’d like to eat it on a regular basis it’s definitely a worth-while investment.
The ones that require pre-freezing of the mixing canister are really reasonable (we used one like this in the video). If you don’t mind spending a little more, invest in a machine with a compressor like this one – it makes restaurant-quality gelato on demand.
How to make sugar free ice cream – step by step:
1.) Split the vanilla pods lengthways with a sharp knife. Scrape out the seeds.
2.) Pour the cream and almond milk into a saucepan. Add the vanilla seeds and the scraped pods and bring to a low boil.
When you see the edges start to bubble remove from the heat and allow to cool for about 30 minutes. Stir regularly so it doesn’t form a skin.
3.) While the cream mix is cooling, put the egg yolks in a mixing bowl. Add the erythritol or sweetener of choice and a tiny pinch of salt and using an electric whisk beat until pale in colour. This takes about 2 minutes.
4.) Remove the vanilla pods…..
5.) …. and slowly whisk the cooled cream mix into the eggs using a hand balloon whisk.
Now pour your sugar free ice cream mix back into your pan. Keep the heat on low and stir regularly for about 8 -10 minutes until it thickens. Do not boil!!!
At the first sign of bubbles, remove from the heat. Pour into a bowl, cover with cling film and allow to cool for about an hour at room temperature.
Transfer to the fridge and chill for at least 2 hours (or overnight).
6.) Churn as per the manufacturer’s instructions on your ice cream maker. Mine took about 20 minutes.
For a soft serve enjoy it straight away. For a scoop-able ice cream, pour into a loaf pan, cover with cling film and freeze for 1- 2 hours, or until fully set.
Top tips for perfect homemade sugar free ice cream
It is possible to use regular vanilla extract in this recipe, but it’s the vanilla bean that takes the recipe to the next level. Trust me – try and get hold of a couple of pods. You can find them in the baking section of good supermarkets.
There are Keto ice cream recipes out there that use only heavy cream or even butter. I find that too much fat in ice cream can leave a slimy taste on the tongue (which you can guess I’m not fond of).
The additional almond milk in this version makes the ice-cream a touch lighter and airier without losing its decadent creaminess.
Experimenting with low-carb sweeteners will give different textures to this sugar- free vanilla ice cream. If you’re using erythritol it will set hard once it’s been in the freezer overnight. Xylitol and allulose produce great results for keto ice cream, keeping it a touch creamier than erythritol.
Whichever sweetener you use, make sure it is powdered – low carb sweeteners tend to re-crystallise when they cool and you don’t want any crunchy bits in your ice cream!
Extra creamy sugar free ice cream
Another tip to make your sugar free ice cream even creamier is to add MCT oil. This is a high grade coconut oil that remains liquid even when cold. I have not tried it in this particular recipe, but 1/4 cup (4 tbsp) should do the trick.
Eating raw eggs has been declared as safe in the UK, as long as they carry the “lion stamp” (virtually all eggs produced in the UK do). If you live in a country where salmonella is still a worry, you can pasteurise your eggs at home.
Here’s how to do it: Heat water in a saucepan to 60 Celsius / 140 Fahrenheit. Lower the eggs into the saucepan and make sure they’re submerged in water. Leave them in there for 3 minutes. Make sure they’ve cooled down before you use them in the ice cream recipe!
It is possible to make this recipe without an ice cream maker (but it will NOT be as creamy).
If you want to give it a go, I suggest you whisk the cream until it’s firm (but not totally stiff) before you combine it with the rest of the ingredients. That way you get more air and lightness into the mix!
Also, add some MCT oil as suggested above. Then, take it out of the freezer every 1/2 hour to 1 hour and stir to break up the ice crystals.
Update: I’ve just come across the fact that you can also use xanthan gum to make low carb ice cream creamier if you don’t have an ice cream maker. Try 1/4 tsp for this recipe!
We topped this sugar free ice cream with melted chocolate and chopped nuts. Use a sugar free chocolate such as Lily’s or a dark chocolate with a minimum of 85% cocoa solids (I like 90% Lindt).
Other toppings/swirls that would work well:
- 2 Ingredient Sugar Free Caramel Sauce – a no-brainer with vanilla ice cream
- Sugar Free Blueberry Jam – this is GREAT as a fruity sauce
- Sugar Free Lemon Curd – for some serious zing!
- Vegan Keto Caramel Sauce – super smooth!!!
Tried this low carb ice cream recipe? Give it a star rating below!
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Sugar Free Low Carb Ice Cream (Vanilla Flavour)
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Ingredients
- 2 vanilla bean pods or 1 tsp vanilla powder / 2 tsp vanilla extract*
- 2 cups / 500 ml double / heavy cream
- 1 cup / 250 ml almond milk unsweetened
- 6 egg yolks large, room temperature
- 3/4 cup / 90 g powdered erythritol or low carb sweetener of choice
- tiny pinch of salt
Instructions
- Pre-freeze the canister of your ice cream maker for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Split the vanilla pods lengthways with a sharp knife. Scrape out the seeds.
- Pour the cream and almond milk into a saucepan. Add the vanilla seeds and the scraped pods and bring to a low boil. When you see the edges start to bubble remove from the heat and allow to cool for about 30 minutes. Stir regularly so it doesn’t form a skin. Remove the vanilla pods.
- Meanwhile, put the egg yolks in a mixing bowl. Add the erythritol and a tiny pinch of salt. Using an electric whisk, beat until pale in colour (about 2 minutes).
- Slowly whisk into the cooled cream mix into the beaten eggs using a hand balloon whisk. Then pour back into your pan. Heat on low and stir regularly for about 8 -10 minutes until it thickens. Do not boil. At the first sign of bubbles, remove from the heat. Pour into a bowl, cover with cling film and allow to cool for about an hour at room temperature.
- Transfer to the fridge and chill for at least 2 hours (or overnight). Churn as per the manufacturer’s instructions on your ice cream maker. Mine took about 20 minutes. For a soft serve you can enjoy straight away.
- For a scoop-able ice cream, pour into a loaf pan, cover with cling film and freeze for 1- 2 hours, or until fully set.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
The post sugar free low carb ice cream was first published in June 2019. It was re-published with more details in May 2020.
This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of these links and purchase a product, I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Sugar Free Londoner.
Samantha Gardner says
I am using vanilla extracts instead of pods do I heat the mixture after added it all together or do I just mix it then put it in icecream maker
Katrin Nürnberger says
When you use the vanilla extracts, you can omit heating up the cream and almond milk for the first time and let it cool down for 30 minutes. This is only necessary to infuse the mix with vanilla. You still need to heat it the second time so it can thicken.
Carolyn Stoker says
Has anyone tried making this into an icecream bar? I bought some ice cream bars while in the US that were sugar free and Keto friendly that I liked a lot. I was wondering if I could turn this into an icecream bar(popsicle style) as that might help me limit my quantity. 🙂
Katrin Nürnberger says
Yes, that would work I think. I have made these fudgesicles using similar ingredients.
Blick says
I generally hate Keto deserts. They are just toooooo sweet. I did cut the sweetener in this recipe from 3/4 cup to just under 1/4 cup and my husband and I love it!! He wants it every night. I just need a larger ice cream maker! Thanks, it’s great!
Katrin Nürnberger says
Haha, I also have a husband who goes crazy for ice cream!!!! So glad you like the recipe.
Rhonda Mattingly says
Delicious
I made this without an ice cream maker just froze it in a loaf pan and it turned out great!
Ingrid Devenish says
What can be used instead of’ heavy’ aka double cream in your recipes (and any other Recipes)where someone is Dairy Free’…just wanting to make the Ice Cream…please and thank youi
Katrin Nürnberger says
I would replace it with coconut cream 🙂
Michelle Oxley says
Appaently a tablespoon of vodka or gin, a clear spirit makes for a good scoopable icecream. As the alcohol cant freeze it keeps it softer, without changing the flavour Going to make this tomorrow!
Katrin Nürnberger says
That’s a great tip! Thanks 🙂
Jo says
Made this twice and it’s so good. Perfect for this amazing weather!
Katrin Nürnberger says
Superb! That’s so good to hear.
Stacie says
To make it more soft scoop can you add Xanthan Gum?
Katrin Nürnberger says
I had not heard about it until now but the internet actually says it works! I must try it next time I make this ice cream. If you get there first, let me know your result?
Mo Vallance says
I’ve made this ice-cream several times as my grand kids absolutely love it. They help to make it and every week they ask if we can make more. So easy to make. Thank you, you’re recipes are amazing.
Katrin Nürnberger says
Wonderful! So glad you all like the ice cream!
Marigold Saul says
I shall definitely be trying SugarFree Vanilla Icecream and will be using my Icecream maker which has been sitting in my cupboard for yonks.
Katrin Nürnberger says
Hope you’ll like the ice cream! Keep me posted 🙂
Retha says
Good day,
I only read your recipe now. I’m from Mpumalanga in South Africa. I just love the recipe of the ice cream, however I’m wonder if you can advise me. Due to my allergic for Almonds is there anything else I can replace the almond milk with?
Katrin Nürnberger says
Of course! You can use regular milk or another nut milk such as cashew or coconut. Even soya milk should work fine.
Carla Purdon says
I love this ice cream recipe. I use xylitol and have made it several times. What would be the proper measurements to turn it into chocolate ice cream?
Katrin says
Hi Carla, I would add 3-4 tablespoons of cocoa powder and see if the mix is chocolatey enough. Add more if necessary!
Brian Hastings says
Great! Thanks for sharing this and keep up the good work.
Margot S says
I did not have the vanilla beans, so I used vanilla extract. It worked really well!. The ice cream was silky and creamy without being overly heavy, a perfectly balanced recipe. This is a keeper.
Bente says
I made this ice cream without an ice cream maker – stirred regularly until it was just right. We ate it when it had the consistency of a soft serve, after a few hours. So good. It was quite hard the next day, but I let it defrost on the counter until it was soft enough to scoop. Next time, I’ll try using MCT oil to see if it will keep it softer. I also heard that using rum helps with softer ice cream.
Katrin says
Oh, that good to hear. Let us know your findings if you try it again!
Deborah Oxendine says
I use Bochasweet as a sugar substitute when making ice cream. The ice cream stays scoopable, does not get hard. It’s a bit pricey so I only use it for ice cream.
Kevin says
I made this ice cream yesterday and it is absolutely amazing! Thank you so much for another great recipe!
Katrin says
Glad it was a success!
Mike Halvorson says
As a diabetic and has way way too much saturated fats in it can you use something else instead of that the heavy cream
Katrin says
Hi Mike, ice cream is traditionally made with cream. However, you could try to replace the heavy cream with coconut cream. It has less saturated fats. I have not tried this myself, but it should work (in my chocolate avocado ice cream recipe I used half cream and half coconut cream). You might get a slight coconut taste.
Meddy says
Healthy fats are just fine for diabetics, they don’t cause an insulin response and there’s no sugar spike (as there’s no sugar and minimal carbs). Avoid sugar in all its forms, and stay away from high carbs and you will find blood sugars are kept down. (Unless you have other reasons than diet for levels being high, that is.) Best to check by testing after 90 minutes of first spoonful. Hope this helps. I’m T2 and this is my experience.
Beverley Speck says
Hi Meddy, you are soooooo right. Other half was doagnosed with T2 Diabetes in January. He was advised to eat a ketogenic diet (that’s how we found this fantastic site) and after testing his bloods 3 months in..everything was better than normal! Thanks to SugarFree Londoners recipes, he’s lost 3st,,halved his cholesterol and sugar levels are nowhere near pre-diabetic! No medication, just a low carb high fat/protein diet.
Lizzie Meakins says
Can you use cow milk in this recipe?
Katrin says
Yes, any milk will work. I only tend to prefer nut milks because they have a lower sugar content.
Cathrina Henriksen Cabrera says
Looks delicious. Do you have a good ice cream maker to recommend?
Thanks a million
Katrin says
I have linked to a couple in the post. The cheap ones work fine, but you need to put the container in the freezer the night before using. They’re also smaller than the gelato makers with a built-in compressor.