Coconut, Raspberry & Blueberry Ice Cream (AKA July 4th Ice Cream!)

*Update*: See the updated presentation here!


If you're a regular reader, then you'll be expecting a Saturday Synopsis, which I'll push to tomorrow.  Sunday Synopsis still sounds okay, right?

Today I'm sharing a dessert which will be amazing for July 4th because it's cool, it's delicious, and it's red, white, and blue.  Also, I'll give a few tips for using an ice cream maker, so you can avert the many disasters that I encountered along the way!


Coconut, Raspberry & Blueberry Ice Cream (AKA July 4th Ice Cream)


In all honesty, I initially wanted to make a red, white, and blue popsicle, until I saw a million fancy versions on the internet.  Then, I switched it up to an idea of blueberry & strawberry cheesecake ice cream (a combo of my fave flavors), but I didn't want to have to eat the whole recipe myself!

Luckily, I remembered reading about making healthier ice cream with coconut milk, so I considered swirling in some strawberries & blueberries into the coconut base.  That's not exactly what happened, but the finished version is so much better than my initial plans!

The texture is so creamy and delicious that you won't be able to tell that it's anything but completely decadent.  My three test subjects agreed!

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It's super simple and you'll definitely enjoy the end results.  Stay tuned for Monday's post using this same recipe for an even more festive presentation!


Coconut, Raspberry and Blueberry Ice Cream (AKA July 4th Ice Cream) on Diane's Vintage Zest!


Coconut, Raspberry & Blueberry Ice Cream (AKA July 4th Ice Cream!)
Inspired by The Hungry Mouse



Ingredients
For coconut ice cream base:
  • 2 (13-oz.) cans of coconut milk
  • 1 1/3 cups sugar
  • 2 tsp. vanilla extract


For flavors:
  • 1 cup raspberries, fresh or frozen (I used frozen, since I already had them on hand)
  • 1 cup blueberries, fresh or frozen (I used frozen)
  • 1/4 cup sugar, divided
  • 2 - 4 Tbsp. water


Directions for Coconut Ice Cream Base

1. The night before you decide to make this, you may need to freeze your ice cream maker's drum, so make sure to read the instructions.
Note: I borrowed this from my sister, and 2 hours of freezing time was NOT enough.  It turned out like cold coconut soup, so I cleaned out the drum, froze it, and ended up making the ice cream the next day!

2. The following day, mix all of the ingredients together in a freezer-safe receptacle.  I used a mason jar!  Taste the mix and add more sugar, if desired.
Note: If the ingredients are not cold, you may need to refrigerate or freeze them to get the ice crystals starting to form.


Coconut, Raspberry and Blueberry Ice Cream (AKA July 4th Ice Cream) on Diane's Vintage Zest!
Don't copy me!  I poured it directly into the machine...


3. Pour the mixture into the fully assembled ice cream maker, unlike what I did.  Luckily, I quickly inserted the churn before the crystals had a chance to accumulate!
Note: If you plan on making all three flavors, only pour in 1/3 of your mix.

4. Transfer your lovely coconut ice cream into a freezer-safe container and try not to eat it all!


Coconut, Raspberry and Blueberry Ice Cream (AKA July 4th Ice Cream) on Diane's Vintage Zest!



Directions for Flavors

1. Over low-medium heat, combine your fruit, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and 2 tablespoons of water in a small saucepan.  Cook until the fruit starts to soften, adding water as needed.
Note: Raspberries tend to cook quicker and fall apart faster than the blueberries.

2. Remove the fruit mixture and crush gently, leaving some intact if desired.

3. Let cool.  Very important, or it will turn your ice cream into soup!  All of the previous steps can be done the previous day, so it can cool overnight while your drum freezes.


For fully mixed colors (see below for swirled colors):

4.  Add each flavor separately to 1/3 of the coconut milk mix, reserving 1/3 for the coconut (white) flavor.

5.  You will need to work quickly in order to churn out three batches before the ice cream maker unfreezes.  Using your ice cream maker as directed, first make the coconut (white) flavor.

6.  Once finished, quickly scrape out as much of the coconut ice cream as possible. Repeat for the raspberry flavor, followed by the blueberry flavor. (That way, you have three nice bright colors without swirling!)


OR


For swirled colors:

4.  Pour the base into the ice cream maker and let it run.

5.  Five minutes before the ice cream is ready, slowly alternate pouring one half of each fruit mixture into ice cream maker to get the swirl effect.

6.  Keep alternating until achieving the desired look.


Coconut, Raspberry and Blueberry Ice Cream (AKA July 4th Ice Cream) on Diane's Vintage Zest!


Even though it looked beautiful, I was initially disappointed with my ice cream efforts because I really wanted that swirl effect.  However, it ended up being a blessing in disguise, because each person had a different favorite and it was much easier to appreciate the different flavors when they were made separately.  Score!

Later on, I tried out the swirl effect, and it really looks professionally made and pretty impressive!  I will try to remember to post those pictures too.


Coconut, Raspberry and Blueberry Ice Cream (AKA July 4th Ice Cream) on Diane's Vintage Zest!


The recipe is so easy, with only a few ingredients that I always have on hand.  Yes, it is going to be really dangerous this summer during my battle of the bulge.  :)


By the way, one serving tip that my guy suggested is to have the coconut ice cream with slices of fresh mango.  Yep, he ended up eating the whole bowl above right after I was done photographing it and offered that awesome suggestion.  He was right, it was amazing!  It mimics the coconut sticky rice with mango that is often served after Thai food.  Mmmm!


On Monday, I'll share my serving tip for making an even more festive July 4th ice cream.  Until then...

Bon appétit!




44 comments:

  1. Love this! Such a fun idea. Thanks so much for sharing at Whimsy Wednesdays. I'm sharing on G+ and Facebook.

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  2. Oh yum! That looks amazing! I have always been a fruity ice cream fan, and not really into chocolate or rich-flavored of ice creams. Yours looks delicious!

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  3. Delicious! Thank You for sharing...I need to get me one of those ice cream machines to create this yummy treats! I came over to visit from the Fluster Buster Party

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  4. Great looking bowl of ice cream! I think I like this better than Popsicles. :)

    You should stop by and add your links to my summer recipe round up! http://lifelovelibrarianship.com/summer-recipe-round-up/

    ~Visiting from Wednesday Whatsits~

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  5. Delicious and beautiful! So perfect for Summer!
    I'd love to have you share this and/or any other recipe at Wednesday Extravaganza - A Foodie Link Party! Hope to see you there :)
    http://www.hungrylittlegirl.com/1/post/2013/06/wednesday-extravaganza-34.html

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  6. I'll have a scoop of each, please.

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  7. Welcome! I'm so happy that you stopped by to party with us. Your 4th of July Ice Cream looks amazing, definitely going to give it a try. I hope that you'll be partying with us again.

    Robin @ Fluster Buster

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  8. This looks really yummy! What a great idea to go with red, white, and blue! I found you over at Full Plate Thursday where I also posted a dairy-free coconut ice cream recipe! http://mommynificent.com/2013/06/25/the-best-dairy-free-sugar-free-chocolate-ice-cream-ever/
    May you be magnificently blessed today!
    Tina @ Mommynificent

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  9. Very fun! I've seen a bunch of the popsicles too but this is the first red, white, & blue ice cream I've seen. Visiting for Pin Me. Pinning. - Lucy

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  10. This looks all so yummy! The coconut ice cream seems right up my ally. :D
    Morgaine from Madcap Frenzy
    P.S. I would also like to invite you to join my June Totally Tuesday Link Party:
    http://www.madcapfrenzy.blogspot.com/2013/06/june-totally-tuesday-link-party.html
    Hugs!

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  11. This looks really good, and I love how festive it is!

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  12. This looks so good! Love the trio of flavors!! Thanks for linking up with What's Cookin' Wednesday!

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  13. This looks amazing!!! We would love it if you would link up
    at our We Scream For Ice Cream linky party/giveaway:

    http://www.lifewiththecrustcutoff.com/we-scream-for-ice-cream-linky-party/

    Live the whole month of July.

    Hosted by:

    http://www.lifewiththecrustcutoff.com/ Parrish @ Life with the Crust Cut Off

    http://thissillygirlslife.com/ Dana @ This Silly Girl's Life

    We hope to see you there!

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  14. HI there ~ I'm the red, white & blue sorbet lady :) - different recipes, but both looking very delicious. I LOVE the coconut flavored idea! We've done a coconut frozen yogurt before, but not an ice cream. I will have to give it a try this summer. Have a FANTASTIC 4th! ~ Jodie

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  15. Funny, right? Your sorbet is just as pretty and I'll try yours too! :)

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  16. Thanks so much! I hope your readers enjoy. :)

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  17. Wow! That's gorgeous and looks delicious, too! Thanks for joining the Ladies Only Blog Share!

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  18. Yum! Looks delicious. Thanks for sharing with us!

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  19. What a wonderful ice cream recipe. I just purchased an Ice Cream maker and will have to try your recipe. Thanks for sharing...

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  20. This looks delicious! I love making my own ice cream. Definitely keeping this recipe! Thank you for linking at the Be Awesome Party!

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  21. This looks so delicious! I might need to invest in an ice cream maker ;)

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  22. It looks and sounds FANTASTIC !!
    I'd loooooooove to try the recipe (although with regular milk, as I don't like coconut milk)
    Pinning and saving the recipe

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  23. YUMMY! I'm so excited to try this!

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  24. This looks delicious Diane! I would LOVE to have you link this up with me and the Create & Share DIY and Recipe Party!
    http://mrsthreeinthree.com/2014/06/create-share-diy-recipe-party-11.html

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  25. Pretty ice cream and sounds yummy, too. Makes me wish I had an ice cream maker to try it. I have been considering getting one but already have so many appliances and not sure how much I would use it.

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  26. We love making coconut milk ice cream. Definitely going to try this combination, it looks fantastic!

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  27. I just bought coconut milk to make some homemade ice cream! This looks so good, I'll have to give it a try. Pinned it and now following on FB. :)

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  28. Happy Saturday!
    What a fabulous bowl of delicious Ice Cream, be sure and save me one! Hope you have a great weekend and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday!
    Come Back Soon,
    Miz Helen

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  29. I need a bowl of this now! Thanks for linking up with What's Cookin' Wednesday!

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  30. G'Day from Oz! That looks so pretty and so delicious as well. YUM!

    If you have a minute to spare I'd be so thrilled if you could pop by and share your post at my weekly Say G'day linky party. It's on now and this would be a fabulous addition!

    Best wishes for a lovely week,
    Natasha in Oz

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  31. That looks so good, and well it looks like something I could handle making. Hope you have a great day!

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  32. My son is severally lactose intolerant and really misses ice cream. I may try these recipes they looks delicious. Thanks for bringing them by foodie friday.

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  33. Your coconut milk ice cream sounds and looks amazing! Yum! I think your guy is a genius with the mango suggestion! That sounds delicious too! Thanks for linking up to Merry Monday Linky! Julia

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  34. Well, an ice cream maker makes things much easier, but you could always make it the old-fashioned way!

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  35. Thanks! However, you'd probably want to use cream for the consistency since coconut milk is so much thicker. Enjoy!

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  36. It's true that it only gets used a few times a year, but it's always a hit!

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  37. Awesome! I hope you love it as much as I do!

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  38. Definitely! It's not hard at all, but tastes incredible. :)

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  39. There's no way I would miss regular ice cream if I had this around. The good news is that the coconut milk could probably pair well with a lot of other flavors from fruit to chocolate!

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  40. Looks and sounds so good! Perfect for year round! Thanks for sharing on Sunday FUNday!

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  41. Agreed! I always end up craving ice cream at night, no matter how cold it is!

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  42. Diane - this looks SO refreshing!
    Congratulations - you are one of our featured guests at Inspire Me Monday at Create With Joy this week!
    Thanks for sharing! :-)

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  43. Thank you for linking up at the Be Awesome link party! I featured you on my blog this week. I'd love for you to visit:

    http://www.sewcreativeblog.com/let-inner-awesome-shine-awesome-link-party-week-3

    Thank you for Being Awesome!


    Crystal

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I love to hear your comments! And putting in your two cents is always free. :)