Vanilla Date Ice Cream

This is the story of an ice cream named Vanilla Date who had a bit of an identity crisis, because people got the wrong impression when they heard the name vanilla date. I mean, who, really, equates dates with a decadent ice cream? But vanilla date was decadent. Rich, creamy, sweet, delectable, sophisticated, and ready for a long term relationship.

Unfortunately, we are already in a long term relationship with chocolate. But then we kind of broke up. And guess what? There was vanilla date, ready to pick up the pieces of our shattered dreams. A respite from chocolate, absolutely.

Not that there is anything wrong with eating chocolate ice cream often. Very very often. But just in time, along came this chocolate alternative. Something fresh, and just a little bit naughty. The hit is vanilla, but somehow there is a little caramel tease going on. Not sure where that comes from.

The texture is light and soft and incredibly creamy. A new family fave. No complaints here from anyone.

ingredients:

2 cups boiling water
1/2 cup coconut oil

1 cup dates (pitted or take the pits out)
1 can coconut milk
1/2 cup coconut nectar


2 tbsp vanilla extract
1 tsp sea salt


directions:

1. In a large bowl, pour 2 cups boiling water.
2. add your coconut oil
3. add your dates, followed by the coconut nectar
4. let the whole thing sit for 10 minutes to soften
5. using a hand blender or a blender, blend until perfect homogenized and smooth
6. add the vanilla extract, sea salt, and coconut milk
7. process a little more
8. chill
9. freeze in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturers directions
10. serve by itself, make into ice cream sandwiches, use to top brownies ...