RECIPE: Vegan Coconut & Dark Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream. Coconut Lovers Rejoice!

I've heard tell of some peculiar people who don't like coconut, apparently some people even hate it. To those people, I'm sorry- today's post is not one you'll enjoy.

This ice cream is all about the coconut. It's rich, decadent with a deep coconut flavour. To that I have added some hefty chunks of coconut-flecked dark chocolate, because I can. Sometimes, it's great to be a grown up.

A quick note: I used coconut sugar, which gives the ice cream a caramel colour and creates a very strong coconut flavour. Feel free to use any sweetener that takes your fancy though.

Vegan Coconut & Dark Choc Chunk Ice Cream

An original recipe by A Rhubarb Rhapsody
Total time: 20 minutes prep and cooking +  cooling time  + overnight freezing

Ingredients:

• 1x 270ml tin of coconut cream (I used Ayam brand)
• 2x 270ml tins of coconut milk
• 100g coconut sugar (or other sweetener of choice)
• 2 Tablespoons corn flour

• 100g vegan dark chocolate
• 1/4 cup dessicated coconut

Method

1. Place the coconut milk, coconut cream and coconut sugar in a medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring often. 
2. Add the corn flour to the mix, whisking until smooth and the mixture begins to thicken.
3. Pour the mix into a heatproof container, cover and refrigerate until cold.
4. Melt the chocolate in a microwave or in a double boiler, add the desiccated coconut and stir until well combined. Let cool for 5-10mins.
5. Churn the coconut ice cream in your trusty ice cream maker, following the manufacturer's instructions. In the last couple of minutes of churning, slowly drizzle 3/4 of the chocolate in.
6. Scrape the ice cream into a freezable container, pour the remaining chocolate over the top. Cover and freeze until ice-creamy (overnight is best)

'Nutella Creams' Recipe And The Quest Of A Greedy Child.

I was a determined 5 year old. After days of trying I'd finally managed to nab the jar of Nutella, which my Mum had desperately tried to hide at the back of the pantry. I'd climbed shelf after shelf until my prize was in sight. I quickly nabbed it, and dashed off to my bedroom with teaspoon in hand. Quietly closing my door, I searched for a secret nook where my gorging could take place in peace. My mountainous toy basket was suited to the task perfectly. I sat cross-legged, clutching the jar, shoveling spoonful after spoonful of Nutella into my happy little face.

I eventually realised if I finished the jar my Mum would notice and my secretive exploit would unravel. So, I left a thin coating around the inside of the jar to make sure it still looked full. After checking to make sure the coast was clear I stealthed back to the kitchen, conquered the pantry shelves and returned the jar to it's original position. I was victorious! I'm sure my Mum must've quickly discovered my deception but she never said a word, as a fellow Nutella fiend I think she understood.

I'd like to say I'm trustworthy around Nutella now, but it isn't true. I always have a jar (or two) hidden away in my pantry. Out of sight out of mind, right? It works occasionally.

Do you have a food that you just can't resist? What lengths have you gone to to get it?

Nutella Creams

Recipe from 'Nutella: The 30 Best Recipes'
Total time: 30 minutes prep and cooking + 4 hours chilling
Yield: 4-6 servings

Ingredients:

• 3 egg yolks 
• ​25g (2 Tbsp) caster/superfine sugar
• 250ml (1 cup) whole milk
• 125ml (1/2 cup) single/light cream
• 180g Nutella

Method

1. Beat the egg yolks with the sugar in a bowl until they are pale and frothy.
2. Bring the milk and cream to the boil in a saucepan. Pour this hot mixture onto the egg yolks, beating continuously. Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over a medium heat, stirring continuously until the mixture just comes to the boil. Remove from the heat, leave to cool for 10 minutes, then gradually add the Nutella, mixing it in thoroughly until it is well combined.
3. Pour the mixture into 4 individual moulds or 4 glass yoghurt pots, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

P.S I served mine topped with whipped cream and some home made choc-coated hazelnuts. Plus a glass of Tia Maria to wash it down. But these are definitely good enough all on their own.