Celiac Friendly Dairy Free Ice Cream

Celiac Friendly Dairy Free Ice Cream

Vanilla base

1 can coconut milk (Asian food aisle)

1 3/4C Dairy Free Creamer (Like So Delicious French Vanilla Coconut Creamer) *

1/2C liquid sweetener (honey, coconut nectar, maple syrup)

1T vanilla extract

1T white rum (or vodka)

Optional: 1/2t xanthan gum will make it more pudding textured

Note*: Can sub a second can of coconut milk for the creamer

Variations:

Mint Chip: Add 1t peppermint extract, mix in 1/2C dairy free mini chocolate chips (like Enjoy Life brand)

Cherry chocolate: Add 1t cherry extract, mix in 1C dark cherry pieces and 1/2C dairy free mini chocolate chips

Strawberry: Add 1t strawberry extract, mix in 1C strawberry pieces

Butterbeer:  Add 1t rum extract and use 1/4C honey and 1/4C butterscotch ice cream topping for the sweetener – if you just want butterscotch skip the rum extract

Cookies and Cream: Mix in crumbled cookies.  My daughter likes to reverse this and put vanilla Oreos (did you know Oreos are dairy free?) in the chocolate base below.

Chocolate base

1 can coconut milk (Asian food aisle)

1 3/4C Dairy Free Creamer (Like So Delicious Hazelnut Coconut Creamer) *

1/4C liquid sweetener (honey, coconut nectar, maple syrup)

2/3C cocoa powder

1T vanilla extract

1T white rum (or vodka)

Optional: 1/2t xanthan gum will make it more pudding textured

Note*: Can sub a second can of coconut milk for the creamer

Variations:

This ice cream has enough flavor as is!  But adding 1/2C dairy free chocolate chips, gluten free cookie or brownie pieces, fruit, yum.  The choice is yours!

Chocolate Mint Chip: Use French Vanilla creamer instead of Hazelnut, add 1t peppermint extract, mix in 1/2C dairy free chocolate chips.

Preparation:

Empty can(s) of coconut milk into a medium sized saucepan.  Whisk over low heat until completely combined, and all solid pieces have melted.

Add other base ingredients, mix well.  DO NOT add your mix in ingredients yet!

Refrigerate until cold.  When you’re ready to freeze it, give it a good stir before pouring it into your ice cream maker.

Freeze using your manufacturer’s directions.  Some machines can handle mix ins at the end of the cycle, and some can’t – that’s ok, just fold your mix ins into the ice cream before you pop it in the storage freezer.

Freeze for several hours before serving. 

If your ice cream is impossible to scoop, pop it into the microwave for 15 seconds or so.  Also, play with where you place your ice cream in your freezer, the lower it is, the colder it is.  For example, my low chest freezer is so cold that I have to use the microwave to soften ice cream.  But, if I put it on the top shelf of the side by side freezer it’s scoopable right away.

The Night Before Christmas Cookies

For almost 30 years now, I have been the Christmas Cookie Queen.  As a young mother, I wanted an inexpensive way to celebrate family and friends at the holidays. 

I discovered that people began to look forward to my christmas goodie bags.  Folks often commented they were special because 'people just don't take the time anymore'.

We  usually get together on Christmas Eve, so everyone had goodies to nibble while assembling trikes with missing parts, trying to get the 4 yr old back in bed one more time, or something festive with the first cup of coffeeChristmas morning.

My food allergies now keep me from holiday baking, even for others.  So, this year, my gift to you will be all the well loved and dog-eared recipes of Christmases past.  You don't need to make all of these to create a well loved goodie bag, choose your favorites and rotate them year by year.

Merry Christmas to all!


Drinks:  Fill canning jars with drink mix and tie with a ribbon.

Christmas Capuccino
Spicy Winter Tea
A bottle of non-alcoholic apple cider is a great addition too, especially for families/kids.

Breads:  Using small loaf pans or muffin tins make perfect snack sized quick breads.

Pumpkin Bread
Other quick breads like Banana and Zucchini go over well too!

Candy: The holy trinity of Christmas in our family has long been fudge, caramel corn and brittle.

See's Fudge (really from See's!)
Microwave Caramel Corn
Microwave Peanut Brittle
Magic Wands

Cookies: Take the time to ice and decorate your cutouts.  It doesn't have to be fancy! 

Date Pinwheels (Date Nut Bars)
Gingerbread People
Natchez Cookies
Peanut Butter Cookies
Shortbread Cutouts
Spritz

Snacks: By the handful.

Snack Mix
Puppy Chow

Spreads:  Can in smaller jars to spread the love as far as possible.  Any deep stockpot will work fine for boiling water canning.

Apple Jelly
Pumpkin Butter

Bringing Christmas dessert?  Try Jen's Pumpkin Pie.

Vegetables Even Kids Will Eat?  It's just not Christmas without Trees 'n Cheese.

Fruit juice jelly

I always loved apple jelly, but any 100% fruit juice/blend works.

4 C unsweetened apple juice
1/4 C lemon juice
1 1 3/4oz pkg powdered fruit pectin
4 1/2 C sugar

Pour juices into heavy pot.  Sprinkle with pectin and let stand for 1-2 minutes, stir to dissolve.  Bring to a full rolling boil over medium high heat, stirring frequently.  Stir in sugar and return to a full rolling boil, stirring frequently.  Boil hard for 1 minute, stirring constantly.  Remove from heat, skim off foam with a metal spoon.

Ladle into half pint jars leaving 1/4 inch headspace.  Process in boiling water for 5 minutes, remove jars and let cool until set.