Coconut Ice Cream with Lime and Mango
Listen up, plant-based pals and lactose-unfriendly friends: I’ve got you covered with this dairy-free coconut ice cream with lime and mango! This no-churn recipe is vegan, gluten-free and contains no added sugar – making it the perfect dessert in a mixed-diet crowd.
Real, full-fat coconut milk mingles with ripe mangos for a rich frozen treat that’s both nutty and sweet. Limes take on double duty, using both the zest and juice to inject a bright, citrusy kick that keeps this creamy concoction tasting fresh instead of heavy. Top it all off with some toasted coconut and diced mango for a sundae fit for the tropics.
Frozen fruit often loses flavor as it thaws, robbing desserts like these of their full fruity potential. The key to flavorful frozen fruit is to macerate it first. Dice a raw mango and let the chunks sit in sugar for about 30 minutes, gently stirring to evenly coat the fruit with syrup and juice.
This no-churn recipe relies on only a food processor and your freezer. It will, however, need to be frozen in ice cube trays. The process of releasing the cubes from the trays can be a pain, but thankfully, silicone ice cube trays exist to make your life easier.
Once frozen, those cubes will last for up to 1 week, which opens up the possibility for fresh ice cream made on demand whenever the mood strikes. (A dangerous idea I’m all too happy to plant in your minds.)
Just freeze, process and scoop! You’re already one step closer to pretending you’re on a tropical vacation.
No-Churn Coconut Ice Cream with Lime and Mango
Ingredients
- 1 13.5 oz./400 ml can full-fat coconut milk, shaken
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 1/2 Tbsp. finely grated lemon zest
- 3 Tbsp. freshly squeezed lime juice from 2 limes, or to taste
- Pinch of kosher salt
- 1/2 cup large unsweetened coconut flakes optional
- 1 ripe mango peeled, pitted and diced
Instructions
- Dice the mango and toss with the sugar in a small bowl. Let sit for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the fruit releases its juices and becomes glossy and syrupy.
- Whisk together the coconut milk, maple syrup, lime zest and juice, and salt in a medium bowl. If the mixture doesn’t smooth out by whisking, use a blender to force it into submission.
- Gently fold in half of the macerated mango, along with any syrupy juices.
- Divide the mixture evenly among the wells of two standard ice cube trays. Freeze until solid, about 4 hours. Once solid, pop your cubes into a resealable bag to keep them free of flavors from their neighbors in your freezer.
- Just before serving, toast the coconut flakes in a dry skillet over medium heat, shaking frequently, until golden at the edges and fragrant, 5–8 minutes. Set aside.
- Add the frozen cubes to a food processor. Pulse until coarsely chopped, then process until smooth and creamy, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed. If the mixture struggles to smooth out, let it sit for a few minutes to soften slightly, then process again.
- Scoop the ice cream into bowls and top with toasted coconut and the remaining half of your diced mango. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Ice cream cubes can be made up to 1 week in advance.
- Store leftover ice cream in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes, then process again before serving.
