Non-Cream Ice Cream

Asked by lauratodd. Answered on 30th November 2012

Full question

My sister is allergic to cream. Double, single, whipping, even full fat creme fraiche. I really want to make her an ice cream for Christmas but don't know how I can get the air into the ingredients if using a base, such as low fat creme fraiche, which won't whip as the fat content is too low. Sorbets and granitas just dont cut it for indulgence at Christmas time! Please can you help with some ideas? She loves ice cream but can only seem to eat some commercial ice cream cones - a sure sign that they don't contain cream! Many thanks.

Our answer

Your sister's allergy is interesting as your comments seem to imply that the fat content is the thing that triggers the allergy, rather than being a more straightforward dairy allergy or intolerance. Consequently we are not sure if she is able to tolerate soy-based whipping cream products.

Assuming that she can tolerate soy-based whipping cream then you could certainly try using this as an alternative. The UK has a product called Cremo Vita (made by Granovita) and the US has a range of products made by SoyaToo. You cold try this for Nigella's No-Churn Pomegranate Ice Cream which is suitable Christmassy. See the related recipe link for the original recipe.

If she can tolerate regular milk then you could make a classic custard ice cream base using full fat (whole) milk and the soy product and then churn it as normal ice cream. Or you could try using a whipped topping dessert, such as Dream Topping in the UK or Cool Whip in the US, though please note that these prodcts do contain some dairy ingredients. These could be folded into a can of chilled condensed milk to make Nigella's One Step Coffee Ice Cream from Nigellissima.

Please note that it is very imprtant that you check with your sister that she can tolerate the ingredients before you use any of them. Also we have not tested the recipes with these alternative ingredients so cannot guarantee results.