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Who needs a cherry on top when you can just have AIP Cherry Ice Cream? With less than 10 ingredients, you can make this AIP Ice Cream. It’s tart, creamy and sweet just without all the additives, corn syrup and dairy of store-bought.

pink glass cup of AIP cherry ice cream with black cherry

AIP Ice Cream Ingredients

Tapioca Powder: This is used to thicken the ice cream. It’s not necessary but it does improve the texture.
Coconut Cream: This is the base of ice cream. Make sure it has at least 70% coconut. If it’s too watered down, then it won’t taste as creamy.
Black Cherries: You can use fresh or frozen.
Banana: Again, you can use fresh or frozen. This is mainly to help thicken the ice cream and improve the texture.
Honey: You could substitute with maple syrup to make this vegan.
Lemon: This helps bring out the sweetness and adds a little bit of acid to counterbalance the fat.
Vanilla Extract: You can substitute with 1/2 teaspoon vanilla powder if you prefer.
Sea Salt

ingredients for making AIP ice cream — Screenshot

How to Make AIP Ice Cream

1. To begin, mix tapioca starch and 2 tablespoons of coconut cream, stirring to dissolve and create a “slurry.” Set aside.

2. In a high-speed blender, combine the rest of the coconut cream and banana. Blend until smooth. Next add the cherries and pulse the blender until the cherries are roughly chopped. If you prefer your ice cream smooth, you can continue blending until the cherries are completed combined.

3. In a large saucepan, pour in the mixture from the blender as well as the honey to a boil. Stir in tapioca starch slurry and boil for 1 1/2 minutes. Then turn down heat and simmer for 3 minutes, until mixture has slightly thickened and will coat the back of a spoon.

4. Remove from heat, then stir in lemon juice, vanilla, and salt. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight.

5. Pour ice cream mixture into your ice cream maker. If you have a KitchenAid stand mixer attachment, churn the ice cream on low for about 15-30 minutes, until ice cream has the consistency of soft serve. Any other ice cream maker, follow the instructions that came with the appliance.

6. Remove bowl from ice cream maker and spread ice cream in the bottom of loaf pan or another container. Freeze for at least 4 hours before serving.

Adding AIP cherry ice cream to loaf pan for freezer

Tips for making the BEST AIP Cherry Ice Cream

If you don’t have a KitchenAid Mixer and the Ice Cream Maker attachment, follow the instructions of your ice cream maker.
You cannot double this recipe as this batch if you are using the Kitchen Aid Ice Cream Maker attachment. The recipe fills the attachment exactly. Any more liquid and it will overflow.
You need to churn the ice cream, so an ice cream maker is essential.
You can substitute any fruit for black cherries in this recipe.
You can add about 1 cup chocolate chips as an add-in.
If you are looking for AIP friendly or alcohol-free vanilla extract, try this brand.
If you are looking for AIP friendly vanilla powder, try this brand.
To prepare the Kitchen Aid Ice Cream maker attachment, it needs to be frozen. If you can shake it and hear the liquid move, then it’s not frozen. If you have the space, it’s nice to store in the freezer so it’s ready whenever you are. If not, it will take about 24 hours to freeze completely.

FAQs about AIP Cherry Ice Cream

What flavor is cherry ice cream? Well, it’s a combination of vanilla ice cream and black cherries. We made it Paleo and AIP by using a coconut milk ice cream base. Additionally, this recipe is naturally gluten free.
What are the best AIP ice cream variations? You can substitute any fruit for black cherries in this recipe. Or you can add about 1 cup chocolate or carob chips as an add-in. Please note that chocolate isn’t core AIP friendly, however, carob chips are a good substitute.
What you need to make AIP cherry ice cream? Besides the ingredients, which I have listed below, you need a few additional supplies. You’ll need a saucepan and ice cream maker. You need to churn the ice cream, so an ice cream maker is essential. If you have a KitchenAid Mixer, then the ice cream attachment is affordable.

Does Ice Cream Typically Have Eggs?

Traditionally, yes. Eggs make the ice cream creamy plus they are used an emulsifier. Eggs work in ice cream the like the way they do in mayonnaise. [source] Eggs have been substituted in this recipe with tapioca powder. I also use the banana to help make the texture of the ice cream a bit creamier.

Is vanilla allowed on AIP diet?

While we call vanilla a bean (and it is) we consume the seed which puts it into the same category as berries. It’s confusing. I know. So vanilla and vanilla extract is AIP friendly (core and modified) if the vanilla extract is gluten free (some extracts are made from grain alcohol). Vanilla powder is also AIP friendly if there are not additives or added sugar.

pink glass cup of AIP Cherry Ice Cream surrounded by cherries

Is coconut milk allowed on AIP?

Yes. Coconut isn’t a true nut (get the facts here). It’s a part of the palm family which means it’s totally AIP friendly. The one thing you need to remember is that not all coconut milks are AIP friendly. Many contain gums and additives, so you need to check the ingredients. Also, companies can change their ingredients for no reason and without notice. While a brand may be AIP friendly right now, they may not in the future so just make sure to check the ingredients every time you make a purchase.

How do you get started on the AIP Diet?

If you need help in transitioning to the autoimmune protocol, check out my Simple as AIP program. The Simple as AIP program allows you to easily transition to the AIP lifestyle alongside a supportive community with access to an AIP expert.

pink glass cup with AIP ice cream with cherry surrounded by cherries

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Helpful Info for All Recipes

I always use extra virgin olive oil in all of my recipes unless stated otherwise.
I always use Himalayan sea salt or Celtic sea salt, unless otherwise noted.
The majority of my recipes are core AIP or include notations for modified AIP and reintroductions. However while I make every effort to label non-AIP ingredients and recipes sometimes they slip past me. If you have questions, check out this post regarding 'What is the AIP diet?' or ask in advance.

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AIP Cherry Ice Cream