Summer is synonymous with ice cream, but for those following a ketogenic or low-carb lifestyle, traditional ice cream is often off-limits due to its high sugar content. Fortunately, there's no need to miss out on this classic summer treat. Keto chocolate ice cream bars offer a delicious and satisfying alternative that aligns with your dietary goals. These bars provide a creamy, chocolatey experience without the sugar rush and guilt.
Why Choose Keto Ice Cream Bars?
Keto ice cream bars present a delightful solution for satisfying sweet cravings while maintaining a low-carb intake. Unlike conventional ice cream, these bars are formulated with alternative sweeteners and higher fat content, making them suitable for those adhering to a ketogenic diet. They offer a convenient and portion-controlled way to enjoy a frozen dessert without derailing your progress.
Key Ingredients for Keto Chocolate Ice Cream Bars
Creating your own keto chocolate ice cream bars allows for customization and control over ingredients. Here are some essential components:
Unsweetened Coconut Cream: This forms the base of the ice cream, providing a rich and creamy texture. Ensure it's distinct from coconut milk, as it contains less water and more fat.
Heavy Whipping Cream: Essential for creating a smooth and silky ice cream base due to its high fat content (at least 36%).
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Keto-Friendly Sweetener: Several options are available, including erythritol, stevia blends, allulose, and xylitol. Xylitol and allulose help maintain a softer texture even when frozen.
Vanilla Extract: Adds a touch of flavor to the ice cream base.
Cocoa Powder: Use Dutch-processed cocoa powder for a richer, less acidic chocolate flavor. Brands like Valrhona, King Arthur Flour, and Rodelle are excellent choices. Hershey's Dark is a readily available store-bought option.
Unsweetened Chocolate: Enhances the chocolate flavor, creating a more intense experience.
Coconut Oil: Used to thin out melted chocolate for the coating, making it easier to dip the ice cream bars. Cocoa butter can be added for stability.
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Optional Ingredients: Vegetable glycerin for a creamier texture, vodka to inhibit ice crystal formation, xanthan gum to prevent clumping, and a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness.
Crafting the Perfect Keto Chocolate Ice Cream Bars
No-Churn Keto Chocolate Ice Cream Bars
For those without an ice cream maker, these bars can be made using popsicle molds and a freezer.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups unsweetened coconut cream
- 2/3 cup powdered keto-friendly sweetener
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
- Low-carb chocolate chips
- ¼ cup coconut oil
Instructions:
- Combine Ingredients: In a bowl, mix the coconut cream, sweetener, vanilla extract, and heavy whipping cream until well combined and the sweetener has dissolved.
- Pour into Molds: Carefully pour the mixture into popsicle molds.
- Freeze: Freeze for 8-10 hours, or until solid.
- Remove from Molds: Submerge the molds in warm water for 20-30 seconds to loosen the ice cream bars.
- Melt Chocolate: Melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil together in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring in between to prevent burning. Transfer the melted chocolate to a wide-mouth mason jar or glass.
- Dip and Coat: Quickly dip the ice cream bars into the melted chocolate, rotating the glass to coat all sides evenly.
- Add Toppings (Optional): Place the dipped bars on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and top with chopped nuts, coconut flakes, or other desired toppings.
- Re-freeze: Place the coated bars back in the freezer for about 30 minutes to set the chocolate.
Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Keto Ice Cream Bars
This recipe combines the flavors of chocolate and peanut butter for a decadent treat.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ c. heavy cream
- 1 ½ c. unsweetened almond milk
- 1 c. natural peanut butter
- 2/3 c. xylitol
- 3 T. cocoa powder
- 1 T. vegetable glycerin
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/16 tsp. salt
- ¾ tsp. xanthan gum
- ¾ c. coconut oil
- 2 oz. unsweetened chocolate
- ¼ c. xylitol
- 3 ½ tsp. cocoa butter
Instructions:
- Blend Ice Cream Ingredients: Blend the heavy cream, almond milk, peanut butter, xylitol, cocoa powder, vegetable glycerin, vanilla extract, and salt together for 30 seconds. Add the xanthan gum last to prevent clumping.
- Churn: Churn the ice cream mixture in a 1 ½ - qt. ice cream churn according to the manufacturer’s directions.
- Freeze: Spread the finished ice cream into a foil-lined 9”x13” pan, cover, and freeze.
- Melt Chocolate Coating: Melt the coconut oil, chocolate, xylitol, and cocoa butter together in the microwave or in a double boiler, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Let the mixture cool slightly before dipping the ice cream bars.
- Dip Ice Cream Bars: Take the ice cream bars out of the pan (the foil helps with this) and dip them in the chocolate mixture one at a time, dipping on one side, flipping to dip on the other side, then flipping again to catch the top with an extra coat.
Keto Buster Bars
Inspired by Dairy Queen's Buster Bars, this keto-friendly version features a chocolate crust, vanilla ice cream, salted peanuts, and a rich chocolate sauce.
Ingredients:## Crust:
- 1 ½ cups almond flour
- ⅓ cup cocoa powder
- ⅓ cup keto-friendly sweetener
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons melted butter
Filling:
- 2 pints keto vanilla ice cream
- ½ cup salted peanuts, chopped
Topping:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 ounces sugar-free chocolate, chopped
- ¼ cup keto-friendly sweetener
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Prepare the Crust: In a medium bowl, whisk together the almond flour, cocoa powder, sweetener, and salt. Stir in the melted butter until well combined. Press firmly and evenly into the bottom of a 9x9 metal pan. Freeze while preparing the ice cream.
- Prepare the Filling: Prepare the ice cream as directed. If it's freshly churned, it will be the perfect consistency for spreading over the crust. If it's not, you may need to soften it a bit on the counter first. Sprinkle the surface evenly with the salted peanuts. Place in the freezer until firm, at least 4 hours and up to overnight.
- Prepare the Topping: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, bring the cream to just a simmer. Add the chopped chocolate and let sit until melted, then whisk to combine. Stir in the sweetener and vanilla extract until smooth. Let cool at least 10 minutes (otherwise it will melt your ice cream!).
- Assemble the Bars: Pour the chocolate sauce over the ice cream. Tilt the pan in all directions to get the chocolate to coat the surface evenly. Return to the freezer for 30 minutes or so, to set the chocolate topping.
Keto Brownie Ice Cream Bars
This recipe incorporates keto brownies for a layered treat.
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Ingredients:
- Brownies:
- 1 ½ cups almond flour
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- ½ cup allulose
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ cup butter
- 4 ounces chocolate (above 70% cocoa content) or sugar-free chocolate chips
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Ice Cream:
- Your favorite store-bought keto ice cream or homemade keto ice cream
Instructions:
- Prepare the Brownies: Line two 9-inch square pans with parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl, add your almond flour, cocoa powder, allulose, and baking powder, and mix well. In a microwave-safe bowl, add your butter and chocolate and microwave until mostly melted. Mix together until combined, before whisking in the eggs and vanilla extract. Moving quickly, add the dry ingredients into the wet and mix until just combined. Distribute the brownie batter amongst the two lined pans and spread out into a thin layer. Add another piece of parchment paper on both of the pans. Using your hands, press down lightly on each one to touch the brownie batter. Bake the brownies for 12-14 minutes, before removing them from the oven. Remove the top layer of parchment paper before letting the brownies cool in the pans for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, remove one of the brownies from the pan and allow it to cool on a cooling rack.
- Assemble the Bars: Remove your ice cream from the freezer and let it soften for 10 minutes. Scoop out portions of the ice cream onto the brownie that has remained in the pan. Spread out the ice cream before adding the other brownie layer on top. Gently press down on it before transferring it to the freezer until frozen.
- Slice and Serve: Once frozen, use a sharp knife to slice into 9 bars.
Tips and Tricks for Keto Ice Cream Bar Success
- Sweetener Choice: Experiment with different sweeteners to find your preferred sweetness level and texture. Xylitol and allulose tend to result in softer ice cream, while erythritol can make it harder.
- Preventing Hard Freezing: Sugar alcohols like erythritol help keep the ice cream bars bitable straight out of the freezer. Vegetable glycerin also contributes to a creamier texture.
- Chocolate Coating: For a thicker chocolate coating, freeze the first layer for several minutes before applying a second layer.
- Customization: Add different toppings such as crushed nuts, coconut flakes, or freeze-dried berries to customize your ice cream bars. Low-carb flavor drops can also be added to the chocolate for unique flavor combinations.
- Storage: Store the ice cream bars in the freezer, individually wrapped in parchment paper or paper towels, in an airtight container.
Variations and Flavor Combinations
The possibilities for keto ice cream bar flavors are endless. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Sea Salt Caramel: Add a few drops of low-carb caramel flavor to the melted chocolate and sprinkle a tiny bit of sea salt on top.
- White Chocolate: Use keto or low-carb white chocolate for the coating.
- Peanut Butter: Add peanut butter to the ice cream base or drizzle it on top of the chocolate coating.
- Berries: Incorporate fresh or frozen berries into the ice cream base for a fruity flavor.
- Coffee: Add coffee extract or strong brewed coffee to the ice cream base for a coffee-flavored treat.
Other Keto-Friendly Frozen Treats
If you're looking for more keto-friendly frozen dessert options, consider these:
- Keto Blueberry Lemon Popsicles: A refreshing and fruity option with fresh blueberries and lemon zest.
- Keto Chocolate Ice Cream: A rich and creamy chocolate ice cream that doesn't require an ice cream maker.
- Keto Ice Cream Sandwiches: Use keto cookies or brownies to create ice cream sandwiches.
- Keto Almond Milk Ice Cream: A dairy-free option made with almond milk and coconut cream.
- Keto Mason Jar Ice Cream: A quick and easy ice cream recipe that can be made in a mason jar.
Nutritional Information and Considerations
When making keto ice cream bars, it's essential to consider the nutritional information and adjust ingredients accordingly to meet your individual needs. Pay attention to the carb content of the chocolate and toppings you choose. Erythritol is often excluded from net carb counts as it doesn't significantly impact blood glucose levels. Always calculate nutritional information independently to ensure accuracy.