I am on an ice cream roll out here! By the time Arvind was finishing the last scoop of the Cherry Ice Cream, I got ready to whip another batch of a milder flavor this time. Did I fall in love with ice cream? Well, not yet, but I have definitely fallen in love with the idea of making ice cream at home. And while summer is still here, why not indulge a little bit more on the creamy yummy goodness.
On our last trip to Bangkok, Arvind relished a lot on coconut ice cream. It’s very well known out there. From an elegant restaurant to a tiny shop on the street, from roadside stand to the food court in the shopping mall, its everywhere in Bangkok and you just can’t miss it. It’s served in a simple white bowl with no fancy topping. At times, they would just drizzle some buttery coconut milk on top and that’s it, plain and humble. Yes, I tasted it and I liked it! The texture was very light and airy. It taste coconut-y of course but was not excessively sweet.
I wanted to recreate a similar texture with just a hint of vanilla in it.
Did you know that Vanilla was once considered as an aphrodisiac and it was reserved only for royalty. Thank God, it's not the case anymore! Since this ice cream had only one flavor profile, I wanted it to be rich and pure and that is why I used vanilla beans instead of the extract. I am sure pure vanilla extract would work as well.
This time I didn't used condensed milk as I was worried that it might overpower the subtle sweetness of the coconut milk. Mascarpone, on the other hand, is more mild and creamy. The combination resulted in a smooth silky, not too dense, not too sweet, flavorful ice cream. Just what I was looking for.
Sometime less is more and Arvind kept reminding me the same when I asked if I could add some lemon zest for tang! He was watching me or should I say monitoring the ice cream, making sure I don’t add anything extra. He wanted a plain and simple, coconut vanilla ice cream. Period.
I sprinkled some pan roasted coconut flakes on top while serving, which added a lovely crunchy bite.

Coconut Vanilla Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 2 cups coconut milk (kept at room temperature)
- 2 cups mascarpone cheese (kept at room temperature)
- ½ cup white sugar
- ¼ cup grated coconut (I used dried flakes bought from store)
- seeds of 1 vanilla bean
- 2 tablespoons grated coconut (pan roasted (to be used while serving))
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk coconut milk, sugar and mascarpone together for about 10 minutes until it's smooth and creamy.
- Slit the vanilla bean lengthwise right in the center and with the back of the knife scrape the seeds out.
- Add it to the bowl and whisk again for about 5 minutes.
- Cover and let it freeze for couple of hours.
- Take it out and let it come to room temperature .
- Add the grated coconut and whisk again for about 10 minutes.
- Cover and let it freeze for 8 hours before you serve it.
- While serving, drizzle some pan roasted coconut flakes on top.
Notes
- Coconut milk and grated coconut is easily available in any Indian store or Asian aisle in any super market.
- Before serving, let the ice cream rest at room temperature for 5 minutes to soften it a little.
- Vanilla extract can be used instead of vanilla beans.
- Once you use the vanilla seeds, keep the pod back in the air tight jar for later use.
Nutrition
This could be one of those ice creams that I actually liked and cared for a couple of more scoops.
Kitchen Belleicious
i am literally watching my ice cream being made and I am slapping myself for not reading this post about 20 minutes ago or else I would have made this ice cream instead of coffee! WOW! It looks delicious
Mansi
Hi Kankana, this is my first time on your blog, and I must say you have amazing photos, which I'm sure a lot of ppl have told you already:), and a great sense of writing! loved your Rosemary-Walnut cake, and I'm going to bake it tonight!
foodwanderings
Ooh Kankana so happy to come back and visit only to find this scrumptious dessert. You know I am partial to coconut, obviously! 🙂
Aunt Clara
Well, look at you! Aren't you the girl who didn't like ice cream? I think I like you more now. 🙂
Now, coconut is my favorite food, and any way it can be introduced into the body is a good one. You had me at coconut.
Amy @ fragrantvanill
This ice cream sounds amazing! I can only imagine how wonderful the texture is with the addition of the mascarpone! Love the toasted crunchy coconut on top as well :)!
Roxana's Home Baking
I've recently tried coconut ice-cream for the first time (i've been living under a rock, i know) and it was love at first taste. yours sounds even better than the store bought one. Love the addition of vanilla bean instead of vanilla extract.
Shumaila
The moment I saw another ice cream recipe I knew I would comment that you are on an ice cream making roll here, and guess what that's what your first line says! So I guess you know it already! 🙂 I love coconut icecream! Have a posted about it on my blog too. I too am on an ice cream making roll- haven't posted about my adventures in ice cream yet though ( a big backlog of recipes). Our batch of homemade strawberry yogurt icecream is just getting over- maybe I should visit the coconut ice cream again! Yours looks good and your pictures are amazing as always!
Charles
I love coconut ice-cream - it's such a pure white colour... reminds me of snow, and the taste is so delicious too. It's quite common here, but the stuff they serve in restaurants is always bad... like it's been part-defrosted and refrozen a few times over 🙁
Rekha Kakkar
Never have liked coconut much... but looking at your photographs ... I know coconut has got another chance !
Angie@Angie's Recipes
Looks scrumptious! You can't never have too much ice cream in the summer time!
Marta @ What Should
I so need it right now. It's like 100 degrees over here. Ice creams would be a blessing 🙂
Monet
What a delicious ice cream. I love coconut ice cream, but I've never tried to make my own at home. Thank you for the recipe. I would love a bowl right now!
Kiran
That looks incredible!! I love anything and everything coconut. Arvind is so lucky. Send a scoop my way 😉
Sandra's Easy Cookin
I think those are two of my favorite flavors...I love your pics, so beautiful, so tasty looking...
Great recipe...now do you have some leftovers, I will be on my way:))
mjskit
WOW - this looks good! 2 cups of mascarpone cheese!?! What a rich bowl of ice cream! I wouldn't be able to stop eating it!!! I love coconut sorbet but have never had coconut ice cream. This looks SOOOOOOOO good!
Leanne @ HP
I love the idea of using cheese in ice cream, very nicely done! I was big into making ice cream for us last year. We bought a maker and everything... I haven't made one batch this Summer!
CC
Am I blind or am I missing where you add in the sugar? I see it in the ingredients list but not in the directions ... it is pretty early so I could be totally out of it 🙂
Kankana Saxena
Totally my mistake, you are not blind! I made that correction and thanks SO much for pointing it out 🙂
chitra
first time here.. U made me drool by this post..lovely clicks too 🙂
Jacqueline
Wow Kankana, you are on an ice cream roll eh? Beautiful, delicious recipe. Love the idea of the crunchy toasted coconut on top 🙂
Cate
Your coconut ice cream is gorgeous! I bet the addition of mascarpone and vanilla make it extra special... Next time I'll have to give your version a shot 🙂