Believe it or not, this sugar-free ice cream recipe is just as good as its sugar-stuffed counterparts.
When it comes to ice cream, finding a sugar-free version that actually tastes good seems pretty impossible. After all, when one thinks of ice cream, it’s usually served on a waffle cone or topped with gooey caramel sauce or hot fudge. So if you’re diabetic, or need to cut back on your sugar intake, a scoop if this dessert on a hot summer night is off limits. Speaking of low-sugar, here are some diabetic-friendly desserts you should try.
But don’t count sugar-free ice cream out too quickly. We asked our Test Kitchen for a deliciously rich chocolate ice cream that’s free of sugar, and they definitely delivered. Keep reading for the sugar-free ice cream recipe, a step-by-step how-to and plenty of Test Kitchen tips.
By the way, did you know there’s a big difference between American and British vanilla ice cream?
How to Make Sugar-Free Chocolate Ice Cream
Ingredients:
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup agave nectar
- 2 eggs
- Dash salt
- 8 ounces sugar-free chocolate, melted and cooled (we like Lily’s Dark Chocolate Baking Chips)
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Yield: 1 quart
Tools:
Step 1: Heat the milk and agave nectar
In a small saucepan whisk together the milk and agave nectar over medium-low heat. Let the sweetened milk heat until bubbles start to form around the edges of the pan.
Test Kitchen Tip: Agave nectar is a syrupy alternative to white sugar. It has a very low glycemic index, meaning it won’t cause your blood sugar to spike, but is still about as calorie-dense as white sugar. Want to learn more about sugar alternatives? Here’s everything you need to know.
Step 2: Temper the eggs
Next, combine the eggs, salt and melted chocolate in a small bowl. Slowly add a small amount of the sweetened milk to the chocolate and eggs, whisking constantly. This keeps the eggs from scrambling.
Transfer the mixture to the saucepan and whisk over low heat. Continue to cook and whisk until the mixture has thickened and is able to coat the back of a spoon.
Test Kitchen Tip: If you’re not a big fan of dark chocolate, feel free to substitute your favorite type of sugar-free chocolate. You might have to adjust the amount of agave nectar, depending on how sweet the chocolate used is.
Step 2: Cool the mixture
While the mixture is cooking, put an ice bath together. To do so, grab a large bowl and roasting pan, making sure the bowl can nest inside. Place the bowl in the pan then fill the rest of the pan with ice cubes and cold water.
When the ice cream mixture has reached the desired consistency, transfer it from the saucepan and into the bowl in the ice bath. Stir the ice cream mixture for about two minutes, then stir in the heavy whipping cream and vanilla extract.
Remove the bowl from the ice bath then cover the bowl with wax paper. You’ll want to make sure the waxed paper is touching the surface of the ice cream mixture. Then pop the bowl in the refrigerator to cool for a few hours, or overnight.
Step 3: Freeze
Once your ice cream mix is completely cooled, pour it into your ice cream maker’s cylinder until its two-thirds the way full. Freeze according to your machine’s instructions. When the ice cream has frozen, put it in a freezer-safe container, like this one from StarPack, and freeze for 2-4 hours.
Test Kitchen Tip: Be sure not to over churn your ice cream or else it can turn icy. The ice cream maker will give your ice cream a fantastic texture, but the freezer is the best way to solidify the ice cream.
Step 4: Scoop and serve
After the ice cream has solidified, pull it out of the freezer and get scooping! Serve the ice cream with some fresh fruit, roasted peanuts or other sugar-free toppings.
Try Our Other Homemade Ice Cream Recipes
1 / 35
Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream with Salted Caramel Sauce
Pumpkin pie is the perfect southern comfort food that everyone has on their table at the holidays, but truthfully, I want those cozy flavors any time of year. This ice cream has just the right balance of spices and no matter when you make it, you'll find yourself surrounded in the warmth and love that pumpkin pie has to offer. —Angie Forester, Memphis, Tennessee
Get RecipeDish it out with the best ice cream scoop.
Taste of Home
Easy Chocolate Ice CreamThis super simple chocolate ice cream is the perfect treat at a moments notice. It's also a bonus that most of the ingredients are kitchen staples. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Go to Recipe
Make sure you have the best ice cream maker for your style.
Coconut Ice CreamThis coconut ice cream recipe is a refreshing dessert that can cap off a warm summer evening. It has a nice coconut flavor without being too strong. —Tamra Kriedeman, Enderlin, North Dakota
Go to Recipe
If you like this recipe, then you'll love these ice cream cookbooks.
Homemade Strawberry Ice CreamThis creamy, luscious ice cream will remind you of the signature treat served at church ice cream socials. What dessert could be better? —Esther Johnson, Merrill, Wisconsin—Esther Johnson, Merrill, Wisconsin
Go to Recipe
The next time you need a shortcut, try theseartisan ice cream brands.
Best Ever Vanilla Ice CreamAfter lots of testing (and tasting), I've found that eggs are the key to making a smooth and creamy vanilla custard at home that rivals what you can get at a premium ice cream shop. —Peggy Woodward, Shullsburg, Wisconsin. Learn how to make vanilla custard ice cream.
Go to Recipe
Get more tips from Peggy and learn how to make professional ice cream at home.
Rocky Road Ice CreamMy daughters always want to put this rocky road ice cream in cones just like the ice cream shops do. We especially like the marshmallows, chocolate chips and chopped pecans. Sometimes we even add extra chips on top...and whipped cream, too.-Dale LangfordAtwater, California
Go to Recipe
Make sure you have these ice cream products and tools on hand.
KulfiI grew up near Little India in California, and I loved the desserts from Indian sweets shops. One of them sold kulfi, a spiced and nutty frozen custard in cone molds. Here I use a shortcut method to make kulfi quickly and without any special equipment. The whole milk can be replaced with mango pulp for mango kulfi. —Justine Kmiecik, Crestview, Florida
Go to Recipe
Cutting on carbs? Check out these low-carb ice creams.
Taste of Home
Rhubarb Crumble Ice CreamThis rhubarb crumble ice cream combines two of my favorite desserts into one fantastic creation! If you close your eyes, it actually tastes like you're taking a bite of fresh rhubarb crumble with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. Throw this into a waffle cone and enjoy a classic summertime treat! —Shannon Dobos, Calgary, Alberta
Go to Recipe
Use a waffle cone maker to add another special homemade touch. Check out more unique ice cream flavors.
Mint Chip Ice CreamWe have a milk cow, so homemade ice cream is a regular dessert in our household. This creamy version has a mild mint flavor. — Farrah McGuire, Springdale, Washington
Go to Recipe
Almond Butter Swirl Ice CreamWarm weather days require ice cream! However, dealing with dairy intolerances can be tricky. This dairy-free recipe is a favorite at our house, especially with kids! —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
Go to Recipe
TMB Studio
Best Banana Ice CreamMy son-in-law says this is the best banana ice cream he’s ever had. It’s always requested at family gatherings. —Donna Robbins, Skiatook, Oklahoma
Go to Recipe
Taste of Home
Triple Chocolate Ricotta Ice CreamYou're going to fall in love with this thick, rich chocolate ricotta ice cream. It has a creamy texture that can't be beat. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
Go to Recipe
Taste of Home
Blueberry Cheesecake Ice CreamAfter sampling this flavor at an ice cream stand, I kept trying to duplicate it until it was just right. This blueberry cheesecake ice cream is a hit! —Melissa Symington, Neche, North Dakota
Go to Recipe
Taste of Home
London Fog Ice CreamI took one of my favorite coffee shop beverages and turned it into this elegant London fog ice cream. For a star dessert, serve it with lemon sandwich cookies or in a simple glass rimmed with sugar, lavender and lemon zest. —Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota
Go to Recipe
Taste of Home
Raspberry Ice Cream in a BagMaking homemade ice cream is fun for the whole family, and the fresh raspberry flavor of this treat makes it a perfect summer activity. Kids can shake the bags until the liquid changes to ice cream and then enjoy the reward! —Erin Hoffman, Canby, Minnesota
Go to Recipe
Toasted Hazelnut and Chocolate Ice CreamThe flavors in this ice cream take me back to European vacations I've enjoyed in the past. I am a big hazelnut fan, and who doesn't like chocolate? I've been caught red-handed eating Nutella out of the jar with a spoon! —Laura Majchrzak, Hunt Valley, Maryland
Go to Recipe
Cream Cheese Ice CreamThis is hands-down the best homemade ice cream I've ever eaten. It tastes like cheesecake with a refreshing hint of lemon.
Go to Recipe
Homemade Vanilla Ice CreamWe don't want to brag, but as far as vanilla ice cream recipes go, this one is the best. And with only four ingredients, it just might be the easiest, too. No ice cream maker? No problem. Just follow the directions below to learn how to make homemade ice cream by hand. It's the perfect base for our best ice cream sundae ideas, too. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Go to Recipe
Easy Strawberry Cheesecake Ice CreamWhen I got my ice cream maker, a friend shared her dreamy freezy cheesecake recipe. For guests, I scoop this into tart shells. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Go to Recipe
Pair this rich and creamy ice cream with a cup of hot or iced coffee. It's mildly sweet with a hint of paprika. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Go to Recipe
Praline Crunch Ice CreamIf you're a caramel lover, you'll want to try Julia Register's recipe for homemade ice cream topped with pralines and a rich caramel sauce. The Huntersville, North Carolina cook reports that she has used this recipe for ice cream socials at her church. "The homemade caramel sauce goes over well."
Go to Recipe
Taste of Home
Georgia Peach Ice CreamMy state is well known for growing amazing peaches. This ice cream has been a family favorite for more than 50 years! —Marguerite Ethridge, Americus, Georgia
Go to Recipe
Taste of Home
Refreshing Rhubarb Ice CreamNo matter where my military family is stationed, this ice cream always makes me think of my parents’ backyard rhubarb patch in Rochester, New York. —Rachel Garcia, Honolulu, Hawaii
Go to Recipe
Blueberry Ice CreamThe wild blueberries on our property spark recipe ideas. When my daughter and I made this ice cream at a Girl Guide meeting, it was well received. Even today, our 10 children, 19 grandkids and 4 great-grandchildren think it tastes great. —Alma Mosher, Mohannes, New Brunswick
Go to Recipe
TMB Studio
Old-Time Custard Ice CreamI think my most memorable summertime dessert for get-togethers has always been homemade ice cream. This recipe is so rich and creamy and is the perfect splurge on a hot summer afternoon. —Martha Self, Montgomery, Texas
Go to Recipe
No-Churn Blueberry Graham Cracker Ice CreamThis sweet and creamy no-churn ice cream features a fresh blueberry jam swirl and graham cracker pieces. You can use raspberries instead of the blueberries for a different berry flavor. —Heather King, Frostburg, Maryland
Go to Recipe
Taste of Home
Rhubarb Ice CreamYou don't need an ice cream freezer to make this rich refreshing treat. Years ago, we had a big rhubarb patch. A neighbor who knew I loved ice cream shared this recipe with me. —Jan Douglas, Dent, Minnesota
Go to Recipe
Pink Peppercorn and Sake Ice CreamThere's plenty of sake flavor in this rich ice cream studded with peppercorns. You'll get an interesting pop of heat with every bite. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Go to Recipe
Taste of Home
Buttermilk Peach Ice CreamMy mother's family owned peach orchards in Missouri. I currently live in Tennessee, a top consumer of buttermilk. This summery ice cream combines my past and present. —Kim Higginbotham, Knoxville, Tennessee
Go to Recipe
Pumpkin-Cream Cheese Ice CreamEveryone loves a pumpkin-flavored cheesecake, so we decided to make a cool and creamy ice-cream version. We're thrilled with the result. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Go to Recipe
Sweet Corn Ice CreamYou have to give this novel sweet corn ice cream a try. It’s actually made with corn, sweetly flavored by vanilla extract and maple syrup. I plan to make this surprising treat every summer.—Diana Burrink, Crete, Illinois
Go to Recipe
Taste of Home
Red Curry-Pandan Ice CreamThe curry and coconut flavors are subtle, allowing the flavor of pandan leaves to shine. Pandan is a tropical plant that grows in Southeast Asia with a naturally sweet, bright flavor. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Go to Recipe
Taste of Home
Butterfinger Ice CreamAdd Butterfingers to this icy, creamy combination, and you get a no-fail sweet everyone will love. —Tammy Drost, Cheyenne, Wyoming
Go to Recipe
TMB Studio
Chocolate Crunch Ice CreamMaking ice cream goes smoothly when you do prep work in advance. I make the custard ahead and refrigerate it overnight. Plus, I toast the almonds beforehand and separate my add-ins into labeled containers. —Rosalie Peters, Caldwell, Texas
Go to Recipe
Taste of Home
Pumpkin Ice CreamThis recipe really captures the flavor of fall. It's good with or without the gingersnaps.
Go to Recipe
Note: Every product is independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our links,wemay earn an affiliate commission.
