Easy Thai Coconut Ice Cream

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This easy recipe for Thai Coconut Ice Cream uses just four simple ingredients, makes the most refreshing homemade ice cream, and is ready to eat in less than an hour.

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Thai Coconut Ice Cream

Visit any beach or walk down the aisles of any street market in Thailand and you will be met by the sight of a vendor scooping white balls of coconut ice cream onto beds of sticky rice paired with mango or even onto two slices of white sandwich bread. Authentic Thai coconut ice cream is one of the signature desserts of this tropical nation. And, boy, is it yummy! Try this delicious recipe for coconut ice cream and enjoy the tropical Thai flavors in your very own kitchen. (No plane ticket necessary.)

Thai Coconut Ice Cream with Coconut Milk

How do you make coconut ice cream? With coconut flakes? A fresh coconut? While those options might be possible, they are far more laborious than necessary. To make Easy Thai coconut Ice Cream, use coconut milk–the fresher, the better.

How Do You Say “Coconut Ice Cream” in Thai?

So many Thai words are adapted directly from English to reflect a Thai pronunciation. “I skreem” is one of those words. The name for Coconut Ice Cream, therefore, is somewhat recognizable: “I skreem maphraw,” with the “maphraw” part being pronounced “muh prow.”

Is Coconut Milk Ice Cream Creamy?

Yes! In fact, coconut ice cream is one of the creamiest ice creams you may ever taste. There is a very important key to getting that exceptionally creamy texture, however: Using full-fat coconut milk. Coconut milk ice cream is no place to skimp on quality ingredients. Make sure to buy and use only full-fat coconut milk when making this recipe for Thai Coconut Ice Cream. And an extra tip to take your ice cream to the next level: Use fresh coconut milk.

How Does Coconut Ice Cream Taste?

In addition to having an exceptionally creamy texture, Thai coconut ice cream has a mild (not overpowering) coconut flavor. Some of the more surprising aspects of this ice cream’s taste palette are vanilla tones and slight saltiness. That’s right: Authentic Thai coconut milk ice cream is a little salty–not too much, but enough to notice.

Vegan Coconut Ice Cream

This recipe for Thai Coconut Ice Cream is not only delicious, it’s vegan–making it the perfect dessert to serve up for any vegan loved one.

Thai Coconut Ice Cream Ingredients

To make Easy Thai Coconut Ice Cream, use these ingredients:

• Full-fat coconut milk
• Granulated sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Sea salt

How to Make Easy Coconut Milk Ice Cream in an Ice Cream Maker

1. Blend coconut milk, granulated sugar, sea salt, and vanilla in a blender until completely combined.
2. Pour the coconut ice cream batter into the bowl of an ice cream maker. Turn on the machine and churn for 30 minutes for soft-serve coconut ice cream. If you prefer firmer coconut ice cream, churn the ice cream in the ice cream maker for 30 minutes and then pour into a freezer-safe container and freeze for 20 minutes.
3. Serve with your favorite toppings and enjoy!

Toppings for Thai Coconut Milk Ice Cream

If you walk down a side street in Thailand, you’re likely to find a vendor selling coconut milk ice cream sandwiched between two…well, in a sandwich. White bread might not be your idea of a great ice cream sandwich, but it actually does not taste all that bad. If a literal ice cream sandwich is not your thing, though, then try these other common toppings for Thai Coconut Milk Ice Cream:

• Sprinkles
• Chocolate syrup
• Colorful sweet noodles
• Chopped peanuts
• Cornflakes
• Toasted shredded coconut
• Sweetened condensed milk

If you’re feeling really adventurous, try adding corn kernels, mung beans, red bean, or barley.

Or serve a scoop of coconut ice cream atop a scoop of Thai sticky rice with slices of fresh mango.

Variations

If you want to change up the flavors in your coconut milk ice cream, try adding any one of these ingredients while blending in the blender:

• chocolate syrup
• frozen pineapple
• frozen mango
• frozen strawberries
• a few tablespoons of fruit jam
• honey

How to Store Coconut Ice Cream

Like any other ice cream, store coconut milk ice cream in an airtight, freezer-safe container in the freezer. It is possible for coconut ice cream to become freezer burnt, so the recommended storage time is 3 months or less. (Though hopefully you will simply gobble it down long before then!)

Final Thoughts

My family churns a batch of coconut milk ice cream nearly every week on Friday night. The flavors never fail to transport me back to our days living in the land of sabai, sabai and its gorgeous sunshine and tasty desserts.

When you try this recipe, be sure to let us know! Use the hashtag #thesantoscookbook on social media, and leave us a rating and comment to tell us how the recipe went for you.

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