For those following a ketogenic lifestyle, finding satisfying desserts can sometimes be a challenge. Thankfully, this Keto Mason Jar Ice Cream recipe offers a simple, convenient, and delicious solution. Requiring no special equipment and minimal prep time, this recipe allows you to enjoy a creamy, flavorful ice cream without derailing your low-carb goals.
Why Keto Mason Jar Ice Cream?
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and adaptability. Here's why it's a must-try for keto enthusiasts:
- Ease and Convenience: This recipe requires no ice cream maker. All you need is a mason jar and a few minutes of shaking.
- Customizable Flavors: The base recipe can be easily adapted to create a variety of flavors to suit your preferences.
- Portion Control: Making single-serve mason jar ice cream pots can help prevent overeating.
- Cost-Effective: Homemade keto ice cream is significantly cheaper than store-bought low-carb varieties.
- Fresh Ingredients: You control the ingredients, ensuring a dessert free of unwanted additives.
Understanding the Keto Ice Cream Base
The foundation of this recipe relies on a few key ingredients that provide the necessary fat and sweetness while keeping the carb count low.
- Heavy Cream: The primary ingredient, heavy cream, provides the rich, creamy texture essential for ice cream. It's important to note that while some labels may list 0g of carbs, heavy cream typically contains about 9 grams of carbs per cup, or approximately 1/2 gram per tablespoon. Its high fat-to-protein ratio makes it ideal for keto recipes.
- Sweeteners: To achieve the desired sweetness without the carbs, erythritol and stevia are commonly used. Allulose is also a great option for maintaining creaminess. When substituting sweeteners, it's important to adjust the amount to match the sweetness level. Powdered erythritol is recommended to avoid a grainy texture.
- Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor profile and is considered a non-negotiable ingredient for many variations.
Basic Keto Mason Jar Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe
This recipe provides a foundation for creating various keto-friendly ice cream flavors.
Yields: 1 serving
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Ingredients:
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons allulose sweetener (or Virta friendly sweetener of choice)
- 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla (or vanilla bean paste, use more or less to taste)
- ⅛ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in a 16 oz. wide-mouth mason jar.
- Seal it and shake for approximately 3-4 minutes. The mixture should be thick and double in volume. Be careful not to shake it TOO much that it becomes whipped cream or butter!
- Freeze for at least 4-6 hours, or until consistency is between a soft and hard ice cream.
- Serve it plain or add your favorite Virta-friendly toppings (e.g. berries, chopped nuts or seeds, whipped cream, etc.). Keep it stored in the freezer for later.
Butter Pecan Keto Mason Jar Ice Cream
This recipe is based off of the flavor butter pecan and requires a few extra steps for that signature flavor.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups heavy cream
- Erythritol and stevia (to taste)
- 1/4 cup butter
- Raw chopped pecans
- Vanilla extract
- Imitation butter flavoring (optional)
Instructions:
- Melt butter in a small skillet.
- Toast chopped pecans in a pan or in the oven for 5-6 minutes, then remove from heat and cool completely.
- Combine all keto ice cream ingredients into your mason jar.
- With the cream in a mason jar shake vigorously for 3-5 minutes (make sure the lid is on all the way!).
- Once the cream has doubled in size, freeze for 3 hours, or up to 24 hours.
Flavor Variations to Tempt Your Taste Buds
The possibilities are endless when it comes to customizing your keto mason jar ice cream. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Chocolate: Add 2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder to the base recipe before shaking.
- Brownie Batter Blast: Follow the chocolate variation and mix in chopped keto brownies after the ice cream has frozen. Bake and cool keto brownies, then chop the brownies into pieces after cooling and mix into, or place on top of your keto ice cream.
- Peanut Butter Chocolate: Mix 2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder into the ice cream base before shaking. Once the mixture has thickened, drizzle in peanut butter or mixed up PB2 powder. You can lightly shake again, or just swirl it in with a spoon to get nice peanut butter ribbons. For an extra touch, add a few keto chocolate chips.
- Strawberry Cheesecake: Bake a half recipe of keto strawberry shortcake pie crust (lay it flat on a cookie sheet to bake). Once baked, set aside and allow to fully cool. Add 3 tablespoons of softened cream cheese and 1/4 cup of chopped strawberries (preferably frozen) into the ice cream before shaking.
- Carnivore-Friendly: Remove the cacao powder, sweetener, and vanilla from the base recipe. For a touch of sweetness, drizzle raw honey over the top (if including honey in your carnivore diet).
When adapting the recipe, remember to remove the butter, imitation butter flavor, and pecans from the butter pecan version. Also, keep in mind that changing the ingredients will alter the macronutrient profile.
Tips and Tricks for Perfect Keto Mason Jar Ice Cream
- Leave Room in the Jar: When freezing liquids in mason jars, always leave a little room at the top to allow for expansion.
- Shake Vigorously: Ensure the lid is tightly secured and shake the jar vigorously for 3-5 minutes until the cream has doubled in size.
- Freezing Time: While the ice cream can be frozen for up to 24 hours, it's often best at the 3-hour mark when it's at its creamiest consistency.
- Dealing with Hard Ice Cream: Keto ice cream can sometimes freeze very hard due to the use of artificial sweeteners. To soften it, try these methods:
- Patience: The best method is to simply let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes.
- Hot Spoon Trick: Dip a metal spoon in hot water for a few minutes, then use it to scoop the ice cream.
- Microwave (Use with Caution): If using a microwave, transfer the ice cream to a microwave-safe container and heat in short intervals to avoid ice crystal formation.
- Don't Over-Shake: Avoid over-shaking the mixture, as it can turn into whipped cream or butter. The final texture should be thick, like runny cake batter.
- Use a Wide-Mouth Jar: A wide-mouth mason jar makes it easier to add ingredients and scoop out the finished ice cream.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
Enjoy your keto mason jar ice cream on its own or pair it with other keto-friendly treats:
- Low Carb Pecan Pie: A sweet and salty complement to the creamy ice cream.
- 3 Ingredient Keto Peanut Butter Cookies: A quick and easy snack that's perfect for a sweet and salty combination.
- Two Minute Keto Chocolate Mug Cake: A warm, chocolatey treat that's ready in minutes.
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
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