Ingredients:
- 2 cups strawberries, fresh or frozen
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or another low-carb milk of your choice)
- 1/2 cup erythritol (or your preferred keto-friendly sweetener, adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp xanthan gum (optional, helps with texture)
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions:
- Prepare the Strawberries:
- If using fresh strawberries, wash them thoroughly and remove the stems. If using frozen, let them thaw slightly.
- Blend the strawberries in a blender or food processor until smooth. You should have about 1 cup of strawberry puree.
- Mix Ingredients:
- In a large bowl, combine the strawberry puree, heavy cream, almond milk, erythritol, vanilla extract, salt, and xanthan gum (if using). Mix well until the erythritol is completely dissolved.
- Chill the Mixture:
- Refrigerate the mixture for at least 1-2 hours to ensure it’s very cold. This step is crucial for achieving a smooth texture in the ice cream.
- Churn the Ice Cream:
- Pour the chilled mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This usually takes about 20-25 minutes.
- Freeze the Ice Cream:
- Once churned, transfer the ice cream to a lidded container and freeze for at least 2 hours to firm up.
- Serve:
- Let the ice cream sit at room temperature for a few minutes before scooping, as it may be quite firm straight out of the freezer.
Tips:
- Sweetener: Adjust the amount of erythritol or other sweeteners to taste. Some people prefer a sweeter or less sweet ice cream.
- Xanthan Gum: This ingredient helps to improve the texture of the ice cream, making it creamier. If you don’t have it, you can skip it, but the texture may be slightly different.
- Blender Tip: If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you can freeze the mixture in a container and stir every 30 minutes for the first few hours to help it become creamy.
Enjoy your keto strawberry ice cream! It’s a refreshing treat that fits perfectly into a low-carb lifestyle.
Nutritional Information (per 1/2 cup serving)
- Calories: ~180
- Total Fat: ~15g
- Saturated Fat: ~9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: ~80mg
- Total Carbohydrates: ~8g
- Dietary Fiber: ~2g
- Net Carbs: ~6g
- Sugars: ~4g (naturally occurring from strawberries)
- Protein: ~2g
- Sodium: ~60mg
Breakdown:
- Fat: Heavy cream contributes a significant amount of fat, which is essential for a keto diet. The fat content helps keep you full and supports ketosis.
- Carbohydrates: The carbs primarily come from strawberries. Using a keto-friendly sweetener keeps the overall carb count low.
- Fiber: Provides some fiber, which is beneficial for digestion.
- Protein: Minimal, as the recipe focuses more on fats and carbs.
Notes:
- Sweetener Impact: Erythritol and other keto sweeteners generally do not contribute to net carbs since they have little to no impact on blood sugar levels.
- Adjustments: You can adjust the serving size to fit your macros. For a larger or smaller serving, simply scale the nutritional values accordingly.
This ice cream fits well into a keto diet plan and offers a delicious way to enjoy a low-carb treat!