• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Endless MealĀ®

Healthier Recipes for Busy People

Search
Main Menu
  • Browse All Recipes
  • By Course
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Dessert
    • Side Dishes
    • Appetizers
    • Soup
    • Salads
    • Drinks
  • By Method
    • Slow Cooker
    • Grilling
    • Oven
    • Stovetop
    • Sheet Pan
    • Casserole
  • By Diet
    • Gluten Free
    • Vegetarian
    • Paleo
    • Vegan
    • Refined Sugar Free
    • Whole30
    • Low Carb
  • By Cuisine
    • Asian
    • Indian
    • Mediterranean
    • Mexican & Southwest
    • North American
    • Thai
  • By Protein
    • Beef
    • Chicken
    • Pork
    • Lamb
    • Turkey
    • Seafood
    • Meatless
  • By Holiday
    • Valentine's Day
    • St. Patrick's Day
    • Easter
    • Cinco de Mayo
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
  • By Season
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Autumn
    • Winter
Start Here
About
Cookbook
Instagram
Facebook
Pinterest
Youtube
  • Recipes
  • Dinners
  • Cookbook
  • About
  • Start Here
Home Recipes
Vegan Cherry Garcia in an ice cream cone

Vegan Cherry Garcia Ice Cream

5 stars (23 ratings)
19 Comments
Jump to Recipe
Refined Sugar-Free Refined Sugar Free

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

This vegan cherry garcia could very well change your opinion on dairy-free ice cream. It's sweet, creamy, and loaded with cherries, vanilla, and dark chocolate — everything you want from a delicious ice cream treat!
Psst! You'd never guess the secret to this incredible vegan ice cream is actually in the cashews.

Another non-dairy fave to try is this coconut cherry ice cream!

Vegan Cherry Garcia in an ice cream cone
Table of Contents hide
Ingredients in vegan cherry garcia ice cream
Tools to make vegan ice cream
How to make look alike Ben & Jerry's vegan cherry garcia at home
Frequently Asked Questions
Popular vegan ice cream recipes
Vegan Garcia Ice Cream Recipe

Whether you're vegan or dairy-free yourself, or perhaps serving this for someone who is, there's no denying that this vegan cherry garcia ice cream recipe is the real deal. In fact, one recipe tester even said ā€œThat gives ā€œrealā€ ice cream a run for its moneyā€!

For this recipe, you will need the right tools to get the perfect vegan ice cream. These include a blender or food processor and an ice cream maker.

Ingredients in vegan cherry garcia ice cream

If you're new to the world of vegan ice cream, there's a somewhat surprising secret ingredient in here. And that ingredient is cashews! It's a little bit counterintuitive, but if you want your ice cream to have the same creamy texture as dairy-based ice cream but without any dairy, reach for a bag of raw cashews. There's no other alternative that works as well.

You'll also notice that there is coconut oil in the recipe, too. That's there to make the ice cream extra creamy. Just like with dairy ice cream, the higher the fat content, the creamier it is.

Here's what you need to make vegan cherry garcia:

  • Raw cashews: you will need 2 cups of raw cashews, which you will soak for a minimum of 4 hours. If you don't have a high-powered blender you should consider soaking them for up to 24 hours. This will help them soften so you can blend them into a creamy dream.
  • Water: You'll use the water for soaking the cashews. It doesn't go directly into the ice cream.
  • Coconut oil: As mentioned, coconut oil is used to increase the creaminess of the ice cream. You'll need ¼ cup.
  • Maple syrup: This is where the sweetness of the ice cream comes from in this vegan cherry garcia recipe. It's a natural sugar and a wonderful vegan option and the maple won't overpower the other flavors.
  • Bourbon: this is totallyĀ optional, however, a nice addition if you want to make a boozy vegan cherry garcia ice cream!
  • Coconut sugar: Since you've already added sweet maple syrup, you only need 2 tablespoons of coconut sugar.
  • Pure vanilla: Use 1 ½ teaspoons of vanilla extract to create the classic vanilla ice cream base.
  • Sea salt: Add just ¼ teaspoon to help balance the flavors.
  • Dark chocolate shavings: Part of the trifecta of cherry garcia flavors, adding dark chocolate shavings (dark chocolate pieces or chopped dark chocolate, depending on how chunky you want the chocolate) will give those distinct rich, bitter chocolate notes to the ice cream.
  • Quartered cherries: for this vegan cherry garcia recipe you'll only need ½ cup of pitted cherries, so don't worry, you won't have to sit there forever removing the pits! Then cut them into quarters or small pieces.

Jump to Recipe
Two Vegan Cherry Garcia ice cream cones topped with a cherry

Tools to make vegan ice cream

There are a couple of tools to have on hand to make your life of making homemade ice cream even easier.

  1. High-powered blender: To bring the ice cream ingredients together into a smooth consistency, a high-powered blender is best. Since you'll be incorporating cashews, you want the blender to be able to work them until a creamy texture is achieved. Because no one likes gritty ice cream!
  2. Food processor: If you don't have a high-powered blender at home, but you do have a food processor, this can work, too.
  3. Ice cream maker: Although not necessary to make homemade ice cream, the churning that the ice cream machine will do does make life easy and it makes for really tasty ice cream. This recipe is written using an ice cream maker.

How to make ice cream without an ice cream maker

You can make this vegan cherry garcia ice cream without an ice cream maker. To do this, place the ice cream base in a shallow pan and pop it in the freezer for 30 minutes. Use a fork or sturdy whisk to scrape and mix up the ice cream. Put it back into the freezer then half an hour later scrape and mix it again. Keep repeating these steps until you have ice cream. It usually takes between 2-3 hours.

How to make look alike Ben & Jerry's vegan cherry garcia at home

A famous flavor of Ben & Jerry's is their vegan cherry garcia – maybe you've had it? Here's how you can make a look alike at home!

  1. Soak the cashews: Soak the cashews in cold water for 4-24 hours before making the ice cream. Then drain and rinse the cashews.
  2. Blend: Add the cashews, coconut oil, maple syrup, bourbon (if using), sugar, vanilla, and salt to a blender or food processor and blend on high until smooth, about 3 minutes.
  3. Refrigerate until cold: Pour the cream into a bowl and refrigerate it until it's completely cold.
  4. Ice cream maker: Once the cream is cold, process it in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's directions. Once the ice cream resembles soft-serve, add the chocolate and cherries and let your ice cream maker stir them into the ice cream.
  5. Freeze: Scoop the ice cream into a freezer-safe container and freeze until it's solid.

Jump to Recipe

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will vegan ice cream last in the freezer?

You can store homemade ice cream in an airtight container or jar in the freezer for 2 weeks. After this point, it's still safe to eat, however, it loses some of its texture and flavor.

Can I use frozen cherries to make cherry garcia?

You can! Allow the frozen cherries to thaw, this way you can cut them into quarters before incorporating them into the ice cream.

What type of coconut oil should I use?

It's best to opt for refined coconut oil, which will reduce the coconut flavor and gritty-like texture.

Vegan Cherry Garcia in a container with an ice cream scoop

Popular vegan ice cream recipes

Vegan Strawberry Ice Cream in a white dessert bowl
6 hours hrs 25 minutes mins

Vegan Strawberry Ice Cream

A big scoop of Vanilla Coconut Ice Cream out of an ice cream maker.
50 minutes mins

Vanilla Coconut Ice Cream

A spoon taking a scoop of banana peanut butter ice cream.
5 minutes mins

Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream

Coconut Lemon Ice Cream in cones
4 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Coconut Lemon Ice Cream

Tap stars to rate!
4.96 stars (23 ratings)
Vegan Cherry Garcia in an ice cream cone

Vegan Garcia Ice Cream Recipe

Prep: 20 minutes mins
Cook: 0 minutes mins
Total: 20 minutes mins
Rate Recipe Print
This vegan cherry garcia could very well change your opinion on dairy-free ice cream. It's sweet, creamy, and loaded with cherries, vanilla, and dark chocolate — everything you want from a delicious ice cream treat!
3 cups

Ingredients

  • 2 cups raw cashews
  • 1 cup water
  • ¼ cup coconut oil
  • ¼ cup maple syrup
  • ¼ cup bourbon (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons coconut sugar
  • 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ cup dark chocolate shavings
  • ½ cup quartered cherries

Instructions 

  • If you do not have a high-powered blender, soak the cashews in cold water for 4-24 hours before making the ice cream.
    2 cups raw cashews, 1 cup water
  • Drain and rinse the soaked cashews. Add the cashews, coconut oil, maple syrup, bourbon (if using), sugar, vanilla, and salt to a blender or food processor and blend on high until smooth, about 3 minutes.
    OPTIONAL STEP: if you don't have a high-powered blender, you may want to strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve so that it's super smooth.
    ¼ cup coconut oil, ¼ cup maple syrup, ¼ cup bourbon, 2 tablespoons coconut sugar, 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla, ¼ teaspoon sea salt
  • Pour the cream into a bowl and refrigerate it until it's completely cold.
  • Once the cream is cold, process it in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's directions. Once the ice cream resembles soft-serve, add the chocolate and cherries and let your ice cream maker stir them into the ice cream. Scoop the ice cream into a freezer-proof container and freeze until it's solid.
    ½ cup dark chocolate shavings, ½ cup quartered cherries

Notes

We have to thank Vanilla and Bean and her bourbon cherry ice cream for the inspiration behind this Vegan Cherry Garcia Ice Cream. You rock!

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving = ¼ cup, Calories: 241kcal (12%), Carbohydrates: 19g (6%), Protein: 5g (10%), Fat: 16g (25%), Saturated Fat: 8g (50%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 1mg, Sodium: 65mg (3%), Potassium: 224mg (6%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 11g (12%), Vitamin A: 4IU, Vitamin C: 1mg (1%), Calcium: 40mg (4%), Iron: 2mg (11%)
Ā© Author Kristen Stevens

We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.

Vegan Cherry Garcia in an ice cream cone

Did you make this?

We love to see what you made! Tag @theendlessmeal or hashtag #theendlessmeal!

Tag us on Instagram
Rate Recipe

For more inspiration, check out all of our vegan dessert recipes!

1.6K shares
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
Kristen Stevens

Kristen Stevens

Hi, I'm Kristen! I LOVE everything to do with food: making it, taking pictures of it, and (the best part) eating it. ♔♔♔

Learn More
Posted: 07/14/2015 Updated: 07/27/2023
guest
Rate this recipe:




guest
Rate this recipe:




19 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

sidebar

Get the cookbook!

Sugar Free Paleo Dinner Recipes
Buy now!

Trending

A pot of creamy chicken taco soup with a ladle scooping some out.
35 minutes mins

Chicken Taco Soup

A bacon sandwich with lots of caramelized onions.
25 minutes mins

BEST Bacon Sandwich with Caramelized Onions

Lemon chicken pasta in a white bowl with a fork,
35 minutes mins

Lemon Chicken Pasta

Cheesy White Bean Tomato Bake in a cast iron pan with bread.
20 minutes mins

Cheesy White Bean Tomato Bake

Seasonal

a close up of our favorite lingcod recipe on a plate with salad
20 minutes mins

Favorite Lingcod Recipe

Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad on a white plate with a fork
45 minutes mins

Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad

Apple Fennel Salad on a plate with a fork
20 minutes mins

Apple Fennel Salad

Lemon Rosemary Chicken in a white baking dish
55 minutes mins

Lemon Rosemary Chicken

As seen on:

Get the cookbook

Sugar Free Paleo Dinner Recipes

no sugar. no grains. no dairy. no hassle.

Buy now!

Explore Recipes

Quick & Easy
Pasta Recipes
Chicken Recipes
Slow Cooker Recipes
Salad Recipes
Soup Recipes
Side Dishes
Desserts
Instagram
Facebook
Pinterest
Youtube
Back To Top
FAQ
Privacy Policy
Disclaimers
Accessibility
© 2023 The Endless MealĀ® All Rights Reserved.
Site Credits
Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled
1.6K shares
wpDiscuz