Vegan Rocky Road Ice Cream

This rich chocolate ice cream is studded with gooey plant-based marshmallows, crunchy almonds, and melty chocolate chunks. Vegan rocky road ice cream makes the happiest scoops—either in a bowl or piled onto a cone. It’s everything we loved as kids, but free from dairy and full of fun.

For a fun variation, how about adding a little bit of plant-based peanut butter cookie dough to the ice cream instead of the dairy-free chocolate chips and vegan marshmallows?

Check out these vegan options at Cold Stone Creamery and Ben & Jerry’s dairy-free choices if you’re craving delicious plant-based ice cream!

Why You Should Make This Vegan Ice Cream Recipe

Key Ingredients

Ever wondered how to turn your basic pantry staples into pure, frozen magic? These creamy, dreamy, and oh-so-heavenly ingredients have your back. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Coconut Milk – Opt for full-fat coconut milk to achieve that rich, creamy texture we all love in ice cream. The fat content is crucial for a smooth and luscious base.
• Cocoa Powder – Good-quality cocoa powder is key to getting that deep, chocolatey flavor. It blends seamlessly with the coconut milk, giving the ice cream its signature taste.
• Agave Nectar – This natural sweetener adds just the right amount of sweetness without overpowering the chocolate. It’s not just here to sweeten the deal–it also helps to keep the ice cream soft and scoopable!
• Vanilla Extract – A splash of vanilla extract enhances all the other flavors, adding a subtle depth that makes the chocolate sing.
• Salt – Salt in ice cream? Stay with us. A tiny pinch of salt balances the sweetness and intensifies the chocolate flavor. It’s a small addition that makes a big impact.
• Vegan Mini Marshmallows – Vegan mini marshmallows add a soft and chewy element to each bite. Mix them in just before transferring the ice cream to the freezer to keep their delicate shape intact.
• Vegan Chocolate Chips – Roughly chopping the chocolate chips creates varying sizes of melty pockets throughout the ice cream. Find an amazing dairy-free brand with our helpful vegan chocolate guide!
• Almonds – Whether you prefer them raw or toasted, sliced or chopped, almonds bring that essential crunch to rocky road.

How To Remix Your Vegan Rocky Road

Here are some fun and tasty ideas to get you started accessorizing your vegan rocky road ice cream:

• Nutty Twists – While almonds are the go-to, why not mix things up with pecans, walnuts, or hazelnuts? Each type of nut brings its own unique crunch and flavor. Just make sure to chop them up for that perfect bite.
• Chocolate Galore 0 Swap out vegan chocolate chips for dark chocolate chunks, mini chocolate bars, or even a swirl of chocolate fudge.
• Nutty Buttery Goodness – Incorporate a swirl of your favorite nut butter—peanut butter, almond butter, or even cashew butter. Maybe add some of our easy peanut butter cookie dough!
• Crunchy Surprises – Introduce some crunch with crushed pretzels, graham crackers, or even vegan cookie crumbles.
• Caramel Delight – Drizzle in some vegan caramel sauce for a gooey, sweet surprise in every scoop.
• Chocolate And More Chocolate – Make this fun treat even more so by serving in our chocolate-covered fruit cones!
• Top It Off – Turn this amazing ice cream into something truly decadent and special with vegan whipped cream, using vegan store-bought brands, homemade aquafaba whipped cream, or rich coconut!

How To Make

Making this vegan rocky road ice cream is simpler than you might think with the help of an ice cream maker. We love this Cuisinart brand!

Step 1: Advance Prep – Freeze your ice cream maker bowl for at least 24 hours before you begin.

Step 2: Blend the Base – Combine the coconut milk, cocoa powder, agave nectar, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and salt in a blender. Blend until completely smooth, then pour the mixture into a bowl, cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to chill.

Step 3: Churn to Perfection – Set up your ice cream maker with the fully-frozen canister, turn it on, and gently pour in the chilled chocolate mixture. Let the machine work its magic until the mixture thickens into a soft serve consistency. Follow your ice cream maker’s instructions for best results.

Step 4: Prepare the Mix-Ins – While the ice cream is churning, get your mix-ins ready. Measure out the vegan marshmallows, roughly chop the chocolate chips, slice or chop the almonds, and any other mix-ins that you’d like.

Step 5: Combine and Freeze – Once the ice cream reaches the right consistency, quickly transfer it to a storage container. It’s also helpful to have containers to store the ice cream in (we love these), but any Tupperware containers or silicone bags will work in a pinch.

Gently fold in the marshmallows, chocolate, and almonds. The ice cream will be soft, so work fast to mix everything evenly before placing it in the freezer.

Pro Tips For Making Perfect Vegan Ice Cream

We’ve got some handy tips and tricks that will ensure a perfectly creamy and luscious vegan rocky road ice cream.

• Chill Out – Make sure to freeze your ice cream maker bowl for at least 24 hours before you start.
• Blend Until Smooth – When blending your coconut milk, cocoa powder, agave nectar, vanilla extract, and salt, ensure the mixture is completely smooth.
• Chill Before Churning – After blending, let the mixture chill in the fridge for at least an hour.
• Add Mix-Ins Last – Fold in your vegan marshmallows, chocolate chips, and almonds right after churning.
• Work Quickly – Ice cream melts fast, so transfer it from the ice cream maker to your storage container as quickly as possible.
• Storage Smarts – Use a shallow, airtight container for freezing your ice cream. This helps it freeze more evenly and makes it easier to scoop.
• Soft Serve Perfection – If you prefer a softer consistency, enjoy your ice cream right after churning. For firmer scoops, let it freeze for a few more hours.

FAQs