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Refreshing Coconut Lime Ice Cream

Featured in Irresistible Sweet Treats.

Savor the essence of tropical flavors with this creamy coconut lime ice cream. Using coconut milk, fresh lime juice, and zest, this dessert comes together quickly in an automatic ice cream maker. Chill the mixture and let your maker do the work until soft-serve perfection is achieved. For optimal texture, allow time to ripen in the freezer. Garnish with ripe mango and lime slices for an added touch of freshness. Customize sweetness and tartness to your liking for a treat that suits your tastebuds perfectly.

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Updated on Tue, 15 Apr 2025 16:18:25 GMT
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This tropical coconut lime ice cream brings the flavors of paradise right to your kitchen. The creamy coconut base perfectly balances with the bright, tangy lime for a refreshing frozen treat that's incredibly simple to make with an automatic ice cream maker.

I first made this on a sweltering summer day when my family was craving something cold and refreshing but not overly sweet. The bright lime flavor was such a hit that it's now our go-to dessert whenever we entertain during warmer months.

Ingredients

  • Unsweetened coconut milk: Gives this ice cream its rich tropical base without being overly sweet. Use full-fat for the creamiest texture
  • White sugar: Balances the tartness of lime. Adjust according to your preference for sweetness
  • Half and half: Adds extra creaminess. Always use chilled for best results
  • Fresh lime juice: Provides the signature tanginess. Fresh squeezed makes a noticeable difference
  • Lime zest: Contains essential oils that boost flavor intensity
  • Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances sweetness
  • Mangoes: Offer a tropical garnish that complements the coconut lime perfectly

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Base:
Combine coconut milk, sugar, half and half, lime juice, lime zest, and salt in a large bowl. Whisk thoroughly until the sugar completely dissolves. This step is crucial for preventing grainy texture in your final product. Take your time here about 2 to 3 minutes of whisking should do it.
Taste and Adjust:
Before moving to your ice cream maker, taste the mixture. This is your opportunity to add more lime juice if you want more tanginess or additional sugar if you prefer it sweeter. The mixture should taste slightly stronger than you want the final product, as freezing will mute flavors somewhat.
Churn the Ice Cream:
Pour the mixture into your automatic ice cream maker. Follow the specific instructions for your machine. Most 1.5 quart machines will require you to halve this recipe. Churn until the ice cream reaches a soft serve consistency, usually about 20 to 25 minutes.
Ripen and Freeze:
Transfer the churned ice cream to a lidded container. For best results, press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the ice cream before sealing the container. This prevents ice crystals from forming. Freeze for at least 3 hours or preferably overnight to achieve the perfect scoopable consistency.
Serve with Style:
Scoop the ripened ice cream into stemmed glasses or bowls for an elegant presentation. Garnish with fresh mango slices and thin lime wheels. The garnishes not only look beautiful but add complementary flavors and textures.

Lime zest is truly the secret ingredient in this recipe. I always keep a microplane zester in my drawer specifically for citrus desserts. The first time I served this at a summer barbecue, my brother in law who claims to dislike coconut went back for seconds and asked for the recipe.

Make It Your Own

This coconut lime ice cream recipe offers plenty of room for personalization. For a dairy free version, replace the half and half with additional coconut milk or coconut cream for an even richer texture. The result will be intensely coconutty and completely vegan friendly.

Storage Secrets

Ice cream tends to get harder the longer it sits in the freezer. For the best scooping experience, remove your coconut lime ice cream from the freezer about 5 minutes before serving to soften slightly. Store in the back of your freezer rather than the door to maintain consistent temperature and prevent premature melting and refreezing which causes ice crystals.

Perfect Pairings

While delicious on its own, this coconut lime ice cream creates an extraordinary dessert when paired with tropical fruit like fresh pineapple or passion fruit. For an adult treat, serve with a splash of rum or as an accompaniment to grilled pineapple. It also makes an outstanding filling for ice cream sandwiches using thin ginger cookies.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use a different type of milk for this ice cream?

Yes! You can substitute half-and-half with 2% milk, vanilla soy milk, or even canned evaporated milk. Keep in mind that lower-fat alternatives may result in a slightly icier texture.

→ How can I adjust the sweetness or tartness?

You can taste the mixture before freezing and adjust the lime juice or sugar to balance the sweetness and tartness to your preference.

→ How long should I let the ice cream ripen in the freezer?

For the best taste and texture, let the ice cream ripen in the freezer for at least 3 hours or overnight.

→ Can I make this without an ice cream maker?

Without an ice cream maker, you can freeze the mixture in a shallow container and stir it every 30 minutes for a few hours to prevent large ice crystals from forming.

→ What garnishes work well with this dish?

Fresh mango slices, thinly sliced lime, or even toasted coconut flakes make excellent garnishes to enhance flavor and presentation.

→ Can I use lemon instead of lime?

Yes, you can substitute lime with lemon for a slightly different flavor profile. It should work just as well in this recipe.

Coconut Lime Ice Cream

Creamy coconut lime ice cream with zesty flavors. A cool homemade treat.

Prep Time
30 Minutes
Cook Time
~
Total Time
30 Minutes
By: Ferdaous

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: Dessert

Yield: 8 Servings (Approximately 8 servings)

Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

→ Main Ingredients

01 2 (14 ounce) cans unsweetened coconut milk
02 1 cup white sugar
03 2 tablespoons white sugar
04 1 cup half-and-half, chilled
05 5 tablespoons lime juice
06 1 tablespoon lime zest
07 1 pinch salt

→ For Garnish

08 2 mangoes, peeled, seeded, and sliced
09 1 lime, thinly sliced

Instructions

Step 01

Whisk coconut milk, white sugar, half-and-half, lime juice, lime zest, and salt in a bowl until the sugar fully dissolves.

Step 02

Transfer the coconut mixture into an ice cream maker and process according to the manufacturer's instructions until the mixture reaches a soft-serve consistency.

Step 03

Move the ice cream to a lidded plastic container. Cover the surface with plastic wrap and seal tightly. Freeze for at least 3 hours or overnight for best results.

Step 04

Scoop the ice cream into serving dishes like stemmed glasses or bowls. Garnish with mango slices and lime slices before serving.

Notes

  1. Taste the mixture before freezing to adjust sugar or lime to suit your preference.
  2. Substitute half-and-half with 2% milk, vanilla soy milk, or chilled canned evaporated milk for variations. Note that lower fat content may result in an icier texture.
  3. Lemon can be used as a substitute for lime for a different flavor profile.

Tools You'll Need

  • Ice cream maker
  • Lidded plastic container
  • Whisk
  • Mixing bowl

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Coconut
  • Dairy

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 371
  • Total Fat: 25 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 40 g
  • Protein: 3 g