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Creamy California Avocado Coconut Ice Cream

A surprisingly simple yet incredibly creamy ice cream made with California avocados and coconut milk. This easy, no-cook recipe relies on the avocado's natural richness for a luscious texture without a strong avocado flavor, making it a perfect refreshing summer treat.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course: Dessert, Sweet Treat

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup sugar Just enough sweetness to balance the richness. You can adjust this a tiny bit to your liking.
  • 1 pinch salt A little salt goes a long way in enhancing all the other flavors.
  • 2 ripe, Fresh California Avocados seeded, peeled and quartered. Make sure they are perfectly ripe and soft. This is key for that amazing creamy texture and smooth blending.
  • 1 can coconut milk (13.5 oz) Full-fat coconut milk is what you want here for richness. Give the can a good shake before opening!
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream Adds extra decadence and helps with the ice cream's structure.
  • 1/2 tsp. lemon juice This brightens up the flavor just a touch and helps keep that beautiful green color vibrant. Don't skip it!

Equipment

  • Blender or Food Processor
  • Ice cream maker
  • Freezer-safe container

Method
 

  1. Step 1: Blend Everything Up! Take your sugar, salt, quartered ripe avocados, coconut milk, heavy cream, and lemon juice and put them all into your trusty blender or food processor. If your machine has a "smoothie," "purée," or "frappe" setting, go ahead and use that. Blend everything together for about 2 minutes. You want this mixture to be incredibly smooth, like a thick milkshake. Sometimes, the avocado might stick a little, so don't be afraid to stop the blender carefully, give it a stir with a spatula, and blend again until there are absolutely no lumps whatsoever. Get it perfectly smooth – that’s crucial for creamy ice cream!
  2. Step 2: Churn That Creaminess! Now it’s time for the ice cream maker to do its job. Follow the manufacturer's directions for your specific machine. Most require the mixture to be chilled first, so cover your blended base and pop it in the fridge for a couple of hours until it's nice and cold. This helps the ice cream churn properly and become super creamy. Once it's chilled, pour the mixture into your ice cream maker and churn according to the instructions, which usually takes about 20-30 minutes, depending on your machine.
  3. Step 3: Decide on Your Scoop! Right after churning, your ice cream will have a soft-serve consistency. It's absolutely delicious served this way, especially on a warm day! If you prefer a firmer scoopable ice cream, transfer the soft ice cream into a freezer-safe container with a lid. Press some plastic wrap directly onto the surface to prevent ice crystals, then pop the lid on and freeze for at least 2 hours (or longer) until it reaches your desired firmness. I usually let mine freeze for a few hours for the perfect scoop!

Notes

Substitutions: Try alternative sweeteners (maple syrup, agave, sugar substitute), substitute heavy cream with more coconut milk or dairy-free alternative. Add vanilla/almond extract (1/2 tsp) or mix-ins like shredded coconut, chocolate chips, nuts, or lime zest after churning.
Tips for Success: Use perfectly ripe avocados. Blend until absolutely smooth. Chill the base thoroughly if your machine requires it. Don't overfill the ice cream maker. Get familiar with your machine's instructions.
Storage: Transfer to an airtight freezer-safe container. Press plastic wrap onto the surface to prevent freezer burn. Stores well for 2-3 weeks.
No-Churn Alternative: If you don't have an ice cream maker, freeze the blended mixture in a shallow container and stir vigorously with a fork every 30-45 minutes for the first few hours to minimize ice crystals.
Taste: The avocado flavor is very mild; the main contribution is texture and color. The taste is masked by coconut, sugar, and lemon.
Avocado Ripeness: Avocados should be soft to the touch but not mushy for best results.