Have you ever taken a spoon to a pint of non-dairy ice cream and been utterly disappointed? If this unfortunate situation has happened to you, prepare to be amazed by a homemade dairy-free ice cream that is just as smooth and creamy as it is delicious. Some ice cream manufacturers just can’t seem to crack the code on texture. That’s why vegan ice creams are typically hard, icy, and not creamy like traditional dairy ice cream. The raw macadamia nuts help establish a creamy, nutty base for this to be one of the better raw vegan ice creams out there.

Macadamia nuts are rich in various vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants, healthy fats, protein, and other nutrients. Researchers have found that macadamia nuts contain some of the highest flavonoid levels of all tree nuts. These antioxidant compounds work to fight inflammation and lower cholesterol levels. Macadamia nuts are also rich in tocotrienols, a form of vitamin E that exhibits antioxidant properties that may benefit cholesterol levels. Additionally, tocotrienols may protect against brain diseases and certain cancers.

One key step that you should not forget about while making this recipe is soaking the macadamia nuts. Take the extra two to four hours of soaking time in order to make your ice cream that much creamier. By soaking the nuts, you help soften them, which makes them easier to blend. Finally, use a food processor to blend your ingredients together, as this kitchen tool is better than a blender in this circumstance. Just make sure that you stop blending, scrape down the sides, and continue blending to incorporate all the ingredients!