These paleo ice cream bars with berries are going to become your new favourite summer treat. These dairy free ice cream bars are easy to make, don't require an ice cream maker, and have the most incredible taste. These dessert bars are also vegan and plant based.
Table of Contents
Why you will love this recipe:
- The taste! These dairy free ice cream bars have the most incredible flavour and make for the perfect summer dessert.
- These bars are surprisingly easy to make and are made without an ice cream maker.
- Besides being paleo this no bake dessert recipe is also dairy free, gluten free, refined sugar free and vegan.
- They are pretty enough to serve for special events like Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, baby showers or bridal showers.
- They store really well so are a great make ahead dessert.
If you love dairy free desserts you will love easy strawberry vanilla popsicles, and chocolate torte.
Ingredients and substitutions:
- Almonds – raw almonds are used to form the base of these bars. I recommend using raw almonds rather than roasted almonds. You could use cashew instead of almonds if you prefer.
- Cashews – raw cashews are what are used to make the ice cream layer for these bars. Be sure to use raw cashews rather than roasted cashews.
- Honey or maple syrup – these natural sweeteners are used in all three layers of these bars to give them the perfect amount of sweetness while keeping them refined sugar fee. If you are vegan be sure to use maple syrup.
- Coconut milk – when blended with the cashews this gives the ice cream layer the perfect creamy texture, without using cream or dairy. I recommend using full fat coconut milk as low fat coconut milk has too much water.
- Coconut oil – this is used to help the ice cream layer harden in the freezer.
- Vanilla extract - this helps enhance the flavours of this ice cream treat.
- Sea salt - to help contrast the sweetness of these dessert bars.
- Berries – both raspberries and blueberries are used in this recipe to give these bars the most incredible flavour and beautiful color. You can use either fresh or frozen berries to make these bars.
How to make (step-by-step):
Step one:
To make the crust, add the crust ingredients to your food processor and blend well until the ingredients stick together, and are the texture you desire.
Step two:
Then transfer the ingredients to an 8″ by 8″ glass baking pan and press down evenly with a spoon until you have an even layer.
Step three:
Add the vanilla layer ingredients to your blender and blend well until smooth.
Step four:
Then pour the ingredients on top of the crust and spread evenly with a spoon or knife.
Step five:
Add the berry layer ingredients to your blender and blend those ingredients until smooth.
Step six:
Pour the berry layer ingredients on top of the vanilla layer and spread throughout the vanilla layer, using a swirling pattern to create the pattern you desire. Then put the whole pan in the freezer for 3-4 hours, until the ice cream layer is the texture you desire.
Step seven:
Then remove the pan from the freezer and cut the bars into the sizes you desire. Then serve and enjoy!
Top tips:
- Feel free to change up the berries in this recipe. Strawberries and blackberries would also be delicious.
- If you are vegan be sure to use maple syrup instead of honey to sweeten this dessert.
- These bars are best served fresh out of the freezer. If you let them sit too long at room temperature they will start to melt.
How to store:
Store these bars in the freezer for up to 14 days. When you are ready to eat them let them thaw for a couple minutes to soften the ice cream layer just a bit.
Frequently asked questions:
The paleo diet does not allow dairy products, so classic ice cream that is made with milk or cream is not allowed. However, there are many dairy free ice cream options on the market now and some of them are safe to eat on the paleo diet. Just be sure to read labels carefully to avoid any that contain ingredients that aren’t paleo such a soy and refined sugars.
Yes, these are vegan ice cream bars as long as you sweeten them with maple syrup.
Yes these are gluten free ice cream bars.
Other recipes you will love:
- Dairy Free Lemon Bars with Cranberry
- Dairy Free Blueberry Cheesecake
- Gluten Free Brownies with Caramel
- Paleo Carrot Cake Donuts
- Chocolate Mousse
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Recipe
Paleo Ice Cream Bars with Berries
Equipment
- 8 inch square baking dish
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 1/2 cups raw almonds
- 1 cup finely shredded coconut
- 4 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon organic vanilla extract
- pinch sea salt
Vanilla Layer
- 2 cups raw cashews
- 1 cup full fat coconut milk
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon organic vanilla extract
- pinch sea salt
Berry Layer
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1 cup fresh raspberries
- 2 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
Instructions
Crust
- Place all the ingredients into your food processor.
- Blend until the ingredients stick together and are the texture you desire.
- Transfer the ingredients to a 8" x 8" glass baking dish and press down with a spoon until smooth.
- Place the pan in the freezer while you make the cheesecake layer.
Vanilla Layer
- Place all the ingredients into your Vitamix or other high speed blender and blend well until smooth.
- Poor the ingredients over the crust and spread with a spoon until smooth.
Berry Layer
- Place the ingredients into your Vitamix or other high speed blender and blend until smooth.
- Transfer the ingredients on top of the cheesecake layer and spread throughout, in a swirling pattern.
Final Assembly
- Place the pan in the freezer and freeze for 3-4 hours, until the ice cream layer is the consistency you desire.
- Remove the pan from the freezer and cut the pieces into the desired size.
Notes
- Store these ice cream bars in the freezer.
- If you are vegan use maple syrup instead of honey.
- Nutritional values are an estimate and will vary depending on the exact ingredients used.
Jean Choi
Not only addicting, but so pretty as well! Love this healthy treat.
Joni Gomes
Love this recipe! It's the perfect balance of creamy & nutty with a touch of berry fruit!
Irena Macri
OMG, these look amazing! I can't wait to try them. Really clever to make them in a baking/casserole dish as bars and I love the layers of sweet and creamy cashew base and the zesty berries.
ChihYu
Yum! Ice Cream Bars! It will be so hard to eat just one! The fruity creaminess and cool taste is so good for the Summer months!
Erin Carter
They are so perfect for summer!
Eileen Hartman
I have an almond sensitivity. Do you have a recommended substitution? Thanks!
Erin Carter
I haven't tried the recipe with any other ingredients but you might want to try cashews instead?
Abigail
Is there an alternative to cashews? My digestive system doesn't work well with them 🙂
Erin Carter
I have not tried the recipe with any alternative sorry! Have you tried soaking and dehydrating your cashews before eating them? I find that really helps me digest nuts much better. Just a thought anyways!
Kelly
Ah, the perfect summer treat. Love all the fresh ingredients and berries in here. Crowd pleaser!
paleoglutenfreeguy
Simply gorgeous and so easy! This is my new favorite summer treat.
heather
As a recovering ice cream addict, I am so grateful for a recipe that I can actually enjoy! YAY for ice cream!
Raia
What a gorgeous treat! So perfect for summer and healthy to boot!