This low carb ice cream recipe combines the flavours of chocolate and orange. The result is a creamy and delicious ice cream that is perfect for a summer’s day. Or even during winter as a pick me up.
Shop bought ice creams are high in sugar, carbs and full of preservatives and artificial flavourings. If you are like me and adore ice cream it can be the saddest part of giving up carbs. However, once you learn to make a low carb ice cream there is light at the end of the tunnel!
I’ve made a couple of no churn ice cream recipes but have been wanting an ice cream maker for the last few years. When watching food shows on television I sigh with envy as the chefs are throwing ingredients into an ice cream maker and just walk away, leaving the machine to do all the churning.
When we moved to Barbados I was looking for an ice cream maker, thinking to myself that a warm country would have a selection. There was one shop that sold them. At a very expensive price that was almost daylight robbery. I wanted an ice cream maker, but not that much. So, all my dreams of low carb ice cream made in a machine were on hold.
Order one from Amazon and get it delivered I hear you cry. As I finish laughing into my last bowl of chocolate orange ice cream, that’s not an option. The import tax on top of the delivery fees would cost more than the unit itself. I just had to be patient and wait for our next move.
Shopping in Aruba one day, I was in a large DIY store when I came across ice cream makers at a very reasonable price. They were not the state of the art, proud to display on the kitchen countertop machines but it was still an electrical ice cream maker. When I got to the till, I found out they were half price. The happy shopping dance was performed to the amusement of the staff and security kept an eye on me when I left the store, skipping merrily with my purchase.
Finally, I could start making low carb ice cream! I’ve been playing around with a couple of basic flavours to make sure that I get the texture of the ice cream right before I experimented with flavours like a young child loose in a Baskin Robbins shop. A low carb ice cream is fairly simple and is just a custard made with cream and milk (I prefer to use coconut milk), throw in some egg yolks, a sugar substitute and voila! Ice cream for everyone!
I had made a chocolate ice cream but wanted to add another flavour to it. As I used to love a Terry’s Chocolate Orange, orange won the flavour contest! The zest of the orange with the juice it yields, is enough to flavour the ice cream without shooting the carbs through the roof.
Can you make this without an ice cream machine? To be honest, I’m not sure as I have not tested it but cannot see why not. The key to any ice cream is the churning of the mixture as it freezes to distribute the ice crystals evenly. Give it a try and if it doesn’t work completely, you are still left with a delicious low carb ice cream of some sort.
Chocolate Orange Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 2 cups (240g) Cream - heavy/whipping
- 1 cup (226g) coconut milk
- ½ cup (43g) cocoa powder unsweetened
- ½ cup erythritol or sugar substitute
- 3 egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 Orange - finely grated rind and juice
- 2 tablespoons vodka (optional, helps reduce iciness)
Instructions
- Pour the cream and coconut milk in a saucepan on a medium heat. Do not let it boil.
- As the cream is heating, whisk the eggs and erythritol together.
- Remove the cream from the heat and gently pour into the egg mixture. Whisk until combined.
- Add the cocoa, vanilla, orange juice and rind and stir until combined.
- Pour this mixture back into the saucepan on a medium heat and whisk for 5 to 10 minutes until the mixture starts to thicken slightly.
- Remove from the heat and add the vodka.
- Allow to cool or place in the fridge for faster cooling.
- Pour into the canister of an ice-cream maker and churn according to manufacturer’s directions.
Notes
Nutritional Info per serving – 196 Calories, 20g Fat, 3g Protein, 6g Total Carbs, 2g Fibre, 4g Net Carbs
Anne
Hi I've been making my own low carb ice-creams forever and just love my machine. Yours is very similar to the one I make. I was just wondering though, if you had any tips on keeping it soft after it's been frozen? I use vodka also and I've also combined vodka and a tablespoon of food grade glycerin but nothing seems to keep it soft, I'm always having to nuke it in the microwave first for a couple of minutes! Thanks
Angela Coleby
I've tried the same things and find that a low carb ice cream does not last a long time in the freezer without becoming too hard.
Ellen Folkman
Love orange and chocolate together. Pinning to make soon!
letmeknowsoon
k- I'll try that - one of these weeks- Lord willing --
Sue T
That recipe looks to-die for!
letmeknowsoon
Hi Angela, I have an icecream maker but have not used it yet. It looks very intimidating. I'm kind of afraid of contraptions.
Angela Coleby
Mine is a simple machine almost in a bucket! Put the ice cream in a canister. Place in the bucket, add ice and salt and switch it on! I think the more advanced ones are easier. Give it a try and you'll be eating ice cream every day!