Waking up at grandma’s house was always slow. My sister and I would be jostled in the sheets next to each other in the hideaway bed in the living room while my mom and grandma carried on quiet conversation in the kitchen.
The sun would start to stream in and we could smell the scent of mediocre coffee with too much cream and equal. When we finally came to we’d take turns in the bathroom doing damage control on our hair and face creases before shuffling into the kitchen. My sister was most often less chipper than I was…I’m a morning person by nature. But grandma’s cinnamon sugar toast always seemed to bring out the morning person in all of us, even the night owls.
After deciding to try a dairy free diet out on January 1, I knew it would be difficult if only for the fact that I would miss ice cream. Whether planned or sporadic, John and I had gotten into the habit of visiting our local dairy/ice creamery at least once every couple weeks to pick up eggs, milk and a double scoop.
It’s now been nearly three weeks since I’ve had ice cream and I was starting to fall off my rocker a little bit, so a dairy-free recipe was a must. I’ve experimented with no-churn recipes before and while they’re great for simplicity’s sake, I knew consistency would be key in a non-dairy version. So I ran downstairs and borrowed my friend Laura’s ice cream maker and two cans of coconut milk later I was in business. The cinnamon sugar toast came inspired by my grandma’s favorite breakfast item and one that I often still crave.
I took a tip from the coconut ice cream queen, Oh, Ladycakes on this recipe and kept it very simple. The result was just what I’d hoped for. Though it did taste like coconut, it was rich and creamy and sweet just like regular ice cream. And I adored how the cinnamon sugar and actual toast flecks gave it a whole new flavor dimension. This isn’t a 1-for-1 trade up, but it certainly did the trick in satisfying my ice cream longings.
- 2 13.5 ounce cans full fat coconut milk (roughly 3½ cups)
- ½ cup raw sugar
- 1 tsp quality vanilla extract
- 1 pinch xanthan gum (optional)
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 2 Tbsp cinnamon sugar
- 1 piece of toast, grated or scraped with a knife (vegan variety)
- Add coconut milk to a saucepan over medium heat. Add sugar, stir and bring to a boil. Continue whisking for 1-2 minutes.
- Remove mixture from heat and stir in the vanilla extract, ½ tsp cinnamon and pinch xanthan gum. Whisk to combine.
- Transfer to a glass bowl and refrigerate until cooled. I left mine in the refrigerator for 6-8 hours and covered it with plastic wrap once it was no longer steaming hot.
- Once the mixture is thoroughly chilled, transfer it into the bowl of your ice cream machine and mix according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Once the ice cream is nearly done – mine took about 35-40 minutes – sprinkle in a half of the cinnamon sugar and toast flecks.
- When the ice cream machine stops, transfer to a freezer-safe container and sprinkle in the rest of the cinnamon sugar and toast flecks, swirling with a knife to slightly incorporate.
- At this point you can either consume it soft, which was insanely creamy and delicious, or pop it in the freezer to harden. It should keep fresh for about a week. Thaw for 10-15 minutes before serving.
heavily adapted from Oh, Ladycakes


allen January 17, 2013 at 8:29 am
this looks amazing – pinning now!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) January 17, 2013 at 8:34 am
Now this is an interesting ice cream. I adore coconut milk as a base for ice cream.
Leisa January 17, 2013 at 8:50 am
I wish I’d had this recipe when I was Vegan! But… I’m going to enjoy it now :-) Thanks so much for sharing it! YUM!
Carly Morgan Gross January 17, 2013 at 9:16 am
Hi guys! I absolutely LOVE your site. I saw that you help others create their blogs. Although I already have one, I desperately want a makeover! I couldn’t find an e-mail for either of you on here, so I’m commenting now! I have ideas and what not and would love to be in contact! Thanks so much, have a beautiful day! x
Dana January 17, 2013 at 9:35 am
Carly! So great to hear from you. Thanks for reaching out. Our emails are listed on the about page but are perhaps a bit hidden. I’ll email you shortly so we can discuss your blog. Thanks! xo dana
john January 17, 2013 at 9:35 am
Yeah, shoot me an email Carly! john [at] minimalistbaker.com
Katie January 17, 2013 at 10:13 am
TOAST in your ice cream?! You are such a smart lady.
McKenna Ryan January 17, 2013 at 12:22 pm
I can only describe my emotions about this post in one way… MmmMmmMmm!! xx. McKenna Lou
Lindsay January 17, 2013 at 1:19 pm
Does Ben or Jerry know about you….? :)
Dana January 17, 2013 at 1:43 pm
I’m working on it :D
Ashlae January 17, 2013 at 2:57 pm
Oh girl! Happy to see T and I aren’t the only crazies who eat ice cream through the winter. We made cereal milk ice cream a few weeks ago and I’ve been trying to hold off on sharing the recipe until it warms up. But screw it! It’s on.
PS – can’t wait to try this.
PPS – yes I called you guys crazies. <3333
Dana January 17, 2013 at 3:08 pm
Cereal milk ice cream!? SHARE that, STAT.
PS – we know we’re crazies.
Megan January 17, 2013 at 3:05 pm
Whoa! Yes! I love this idea. now I want cinnamon toast AND cinnamon toast ice cream. You go girl.
Holly January 17, 2013 at 5:16 pm
Yum! Can I make it without an ice cream machine?
Dana January 17, 2013 at 5:44 pm
You know what, yes! Although it won’t yield as creamy a texture, you can simply add your base to a freezer safe bowl or container, freeze it and take it out periodically (every couple hours) and aggravate it with a whisk, handheld mixer – anything that can “whip” and add air to your ice cream. Hope that helps!
Holly January 17, 2013 at 5:48 pm
Fantastic!
sara forte January 17, 2013 at 9:08 pm
I WILL be making this. so creative and perfect!
Amber- Loves Food, Loves to Eat January 17, 2013 at 11:04 pm
Love this post, that sounds exactly like me and my sister! You also reminded me of how much I love cinnamon toast!
Jackie @ Vegan Yack Attack! January 18, 2013 at 12:40 am
This looks so perfect! The little swirls of cinnamon and the creamy texture, it probably smells like heaven, too. Wonderful job!
Also, I love Ashlae and her recipes, too! :)
rustichealthy January 18, 2013 at 9:02 am
I’m not a vegan, but I am learning about coconut and coconut products…coconut milk, oil etc…and boy this is going to be one Healthy dessert! Thank you so much!
Christine Somers January 18, 2013 at 3:19 pm
I am a ice cream purest but you make this recipe look so yummy that I am going to give it a try.
Marcia January 18, 2013 at 9:15 pm
This looks awesome! P.S. Found your blog from the Lauren Conrad blog share :-)
Dana January 18, 2013 at 10:23 pm
Lovely! So glad LC did the blog share forum. Such a fun way to meet new bloggers!
Marcia January 18, 2013 at 10:31 pm
Yes very cool!
The Frosted Vegan January 20, 2013 at 3:48 pm
I was JUST dreaming up how to make vegan ice cream, thank you for this!
DessertForTwo February 4, 2013 at 8:40 pm
Hah! Deep sexy baritone voice + sugar is the way to my heart :)
DessertForTwo February 4, 2013 at 8:40 pm
Ok, whoa, I meant to leave that comment on the root beer float post. Not sure how it ended up on this one. Sorry! :/
Carole February 7, 2013 at 1:09 pm
Hi there. The current Food on Friday on Carole’s Chatter is all about favourite foods from childhood. I do hope you link this lovely one in. This is the link . Please do pop back to check out some of the other links. Have a great week.
Ice Cream Magic February 14, 2013 at 11:21 am
This looks like an easy ice cream recipe to try. Cinnamon toast is a perennial favorite with the kids.