My low carb Keto Coffee Ice Cream recipe is a low carb, sugar-free, rich & creamy ice cream with flavors of coffee & vanilla. A perfect dessert when you crave coffee on a hot summer day. This easy recipe is also gluten-free, grain-free, sugar-free, and Trim Healthy Mama friendly.
If you like coffee as much as my oldest daughter this recipe is for you. I think she would've eaten the entire batch of Keto Coffee Ice Cream last night if I let her. I made the mistake of letting her sip my iced coffee as a toddler and she's been hooked ever since. She loves anything coffee-flavored and still steals sips of my iced americano.
Now that she is 14 (I'm revising this sugar free coffee ice cream recipe a couple of years after sharing the first time) she's occasionally allowed to have a cup of coffee, a frappuccino, or another fun coffee beverage. And she still picks a java-themed ice cream almost every time we go to an ice cream shop.
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The rest of us have more varied palates picking keto recipes for ice cream from Keto Butter Pecan Ice Cream to Keto Chocolate Ice Cream to Cinnamon Ice Cream depending on our mood.
Ingredients
Heavy whipping cream - Heavy cream is what gives ice cream its rich and creamy flavor.
Strong coffee - I use 2x the coffee grinds when I want strong coffee for a recipe. Alternatively, you can use espresso.
Half and half - Half and half is half cream and half milk. You can also use light cream or whole milk in place of half and half.
Sweetener - I use a blend of sugar alcohols and stevia in my recipes. Monk fruit sweetener also works well.
Vanilla - Vanilla extract enhances the other flavors.
Instant coffee - Using instant coffee granules or instant espresso powder gives this ice cream a great coffee flavor without making it too icy. Using more brewed coffee will lead to icier ice cream.
Egg yolks - I add raw egg yolks to my ice cream recipes to boost the creaminess. In many years of making ice cream, I have never had a problem with regular egg yolks in my ice creams. However, if you prefer, you can temper the ice cream base or use pasteurized egg yolks.
Vegetable glycerin (optional) - Optional, but recommended, glycerin helps keep any keto ice cream recipe soft enough to scoop. Otherwise, you will have to let it temper at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.
How to make Keto Coffee Ice Cream
I keep my ice cream recipes very simple.
Step One: Just give the ice cream ingredients a whirl in the blender.
Step Two: Then pour the mixture into your ice cream maker. The sugar free low carb coffee ice cream is ready (just like soft-serve) in 20 minutes.
Step Three: For a firmer ice cream transfer to a container and freeze for a few hours to help it firm up.
Toppings
Here are some of our favorite toppings:
Caramel Sauce - I love the caramel coffee combo!
Whipped Cream - whip up some cream and stir in your favorite powdered sweetener.
Hot Fudge - just 3 ingredients to a luscious sugar free hot fudge sauce.
Brownies - you can serve a scoop on top of a brownie or mix in chunks after the ice cream churns!
Sprinkles - yes, sugar free! These are made by hand in the US and are worth every penny.
Common Questions
How does this sugar free keto coffee ice cream taste?
Just like a coffee shop!
One of my favorite Starbucks splurges is a Vanilla Frappuccino made with half and half and sugar-free vanilla syrup. I wanted to take those flavors and make them into a simple Keto Friendly Coffee Ice Cream. I already have a copycat Starbucks drink recipe but that wasn't good enough. Sometimes I want to eat my coffee.
Another great option is this gluten free Keto Whipped Dalgona Coffee.
Is sugar free ice cream keto?
Sometimes. You have to check the ingredients. Many store bought sugar free ice creams will have a lot of additives and unhealthy ingredients.
What type of ice cream maker should I use?
The first ice cream maker I owned used ice and salt around the mixing bowl to freeze the ice cream. Making ice cream was a production. We'd have to go buy bags of ice and make sure we had enough salt. And then clean up everything after.
Getting an ice cream machine with a freezable bowl was a game-changer. I have now owned my Cuisinart ice cream machine for almost 15 years and it's going strong. A very good investment for under $50. See my favorite ice cream maker here.
Do I need an ice cream machine?
Yes. The ice cream machine freezes the ice cream base slowly while incorporating air. This is how ice cream is lighter and fluffier than another frozen liquid (like ice cubes). If you don't have an ice cream maker and don't want to buy one you can freeze this keto coffee base in an ice pop mold for delicious low carb ice cream pops.
Or try this No Churn Coffee Chip Keto Ice Cream.
When ice cream is coffee flavored it is perfect for breakfast, right?
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup strong coffee
- 1 cup half and half
- ½ cup Joy Filled Eats Sweetener (or see alternatives in recipe notes)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoon instant coffee
- 1 teaspoon glycerin optional, but recommended – this keeps the ice cream soft enough to scoop
- 3 egg yolks
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth. Pour into an ice cream machine. Freeze according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally Published May 16, 2016. Revised and Republished May 23, 2023.
kathleen says
What is the size of your serving? 1 scoop?
Taryn says
1/2 a cup
Sara says
So yummy, but what a time I had. I subbed unsweetened almond plus more cream for the half & half, mct oil instead of glycerin & espresso powder for the instant coffee. I own a cheap, small ice cream maker I use just for my keto ice cream, lid/paddle attachment must be own first & then pour ice cream. In my excitement, I forgot the lid. So my mixture froze to the sides almost immediately & I couldn’t get the paddle in. So, I thought I’d pour it out, scrape out my ice cream maker & fo from there. I missed the mixing bowl but not my stove, counter & cabinet doors 😂. I left the mess & kept going. By the time it was done I had the mess cleaned up & enjoyed I bite or two before putting it in the freezer. Great flavor!!
Taryn says
I've had days like that in the kitchen too. Don't worry. But thanks for the laugh today, I'm knee deep in moving boxes and needed one! 😀
Sara says
Substitute for half & half?
Taryn says
You can use 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk and 1/2 cup additional cream.
Sara says
Thank you!
Lisa says
Hi just to confirm if I use swerve. I would have to use 3/4 to 1 cup instead of 1/2cup? What about liquid stevia?
Taryn says
Yes, that is correct for swerve. I'm not sure the conversion to liquid stevia. You can just add it slowly and taste as you go. Before freezing this tastes like a really rich frappuccino. It's delicious.
Mary Lou Hudman says
I don’t like coffee - how can I revise for just a vanilla bean ice cream? Also, where do you find glycerin?
Taryn says
Hi Mary, I have a vanilla ice cream recipe too! https://joyfilledeats.com/vanilla-ice-cream/ I buy vegetable glycerin from Amazon but it is available in some drugstores.
Amber Weber says
I made this last night, adding some chopped up low-carb brownies to the machine toward the end of the cycle. It was SOOOOOO GOOD! In fact, this may be breakfast!
Taryn says
Ice cream is always great for breakfast!
Lara says
Coffee ice cream was my favorite before I went keto and I haven't had it since 🙁 So glad I found your recipe! I can't wait to try it!
Kim says
What can I use in place of glycerin.....
Taryn says
The glycerin helps the ice cream to stay scoopable in the freezer. If you don’t mind letting the ice cream sit out at room temperature for about half an hour before scooping you can omit the glycerin. I've seen some recipes use a little vodka instead but I haven't tried it.
Vicky C. says
This is one of my favorites! My 21 yr old son was complaining about me making something sugar free the other day and I said "well, you liked the coffee ice cream", to which he replied "that's sugar free?". I actually only use 1/4 c. of Pyure when I make it and it's great! Thanks for the recipe!!
Melissa says
Hello, For the 2 Tablespoons of instant coffee is that the grounds?? Thank you i cant wait to try this...
Taryn says
No, it is a product called "instant coffee". It is different than regular coffee grounds. You can find it in any grocery store. It just dissolves in water.
Salma says
I dont have an ice cream machine but i'd love to try this
Taryn says
Hi Salma, without an ice cream machine you could make this into popsicles but not ice cream. Alternatively, you could freeze it slowly and scrape it every hour like you would for a granita. It would be icier than ice cream with that method though.
Staci says
Any idea how to make this with almond milk or coconut milk? We can't have dairy 🙁 but I would LOVE to try this!!!!
Taryn says
I'd use this as the base recipe and add espresso instead of peanut butter: https://joyfilledeats.com/peanut-butter-swirl-ice-cream/
Mimi says
The calorie count you listed appears to be way off. I just looked up the calories for the cream alone and 2 cups of cream divided into 8 servings would be over 200 calories per serving.
Taryn says
I just updated the nutrition box. Most of my readers do not use those facts as they are not needed on Trim Healthy Mama but I try to provide them as a courtesy. I do recommend checking, as you did if it necessary for your diet. Thanks for pointing out the error, I think I originally calculated for 10 half cup servings but then decided to just make 8 bigger servings. 🙂
Alicia says
For the strong coffee...is it liquid or coffee grinds?
Taryn says
Strong brewed coffee. Liquid.
Terri Boyer says
Can honey or agave be substituted for the sweetness?
Taryn says
Yes. I would just add it to taste.
Heather says
It was amazing! Thanks for posting!
Lindsay Z says
This ice cream is SO GOOD!!! Thanks for posting it. I did cook the egg yolks in the cream, just for the kids!
Dana says
How did you cook the yolks? I'm thinking you would beat them well and add to half & half. Simmer over boiling water until the color changes? Cool & strain, continue the recipe per instructions?
Bethany @ athletic avocado says
I love both vanilla and coffee flavored ice cream! The two flavors together sounds incredible! Thanks for sharing!
Dana says
Question, do you think this would work without the egg yolks?
Taryn says
Yes, but the yolks make it richer and creamier.
Helen Jackson says
Is it not necessary to cook the egg yolks if you're going to put the 3 yolks in the recipe. Please explain why tjis is ok..
Taryn says
Hi Helen, if you are concerned about raw yolks you can use pasteurized eggs or temper them.
http://www.safeeggs.com/
http://simmerandboil.cookinglight.com/2015/06/24/how-to-temper-eggs-ice-cream/