Nutella Ice Cream Recipe with Coconut Milk

A two-ingredient Nutella ice cream recipe made with coconut milk and chocolate hazelnut spread. The easiest chocolate hazelnut ice cream!

Why Make This Nutella Ice Cream Recipe with Coconut Milk?

The first time I made ice cream with Nutella, I made an elaborate chocolate hazelnut gelato. Although perfectly delicious, I found the complicated, multi-step recipe far too labor-intensive to make on a regular basis. But I still wanted to find a way to enjoy chocolate hazelnut ice cream whenever the craving hit.

With simplicity in mind, I developed this Nutella ice cream recipe with coconut milk, and it quickly became one of my go-to recipes for summer. It’s just so simple. Only two ingredients (plus an optional teaspoon of alcohol to keep the ice cream from freezing too solidly) and about five minutes of preparation time. You will need an ice cream maker for this recipe, but it’s a worthwhile investment. In warm weather I use my Cuisinart at least once a week.

Nutella Ice Cream Ingredients

To make the easiest-ever Nutella ice cream, you’ll need just two ingredients:

• Nutella – The creamy, classic chocolate hazelnut spread. I love using real Nutella in recipes, but any store brand chocolate hazelnut spread will work just as well. (If you have some left over, you can make my Nutella Brownies too!)
• Coconut Milk – For best results, use full-fat canned coconut milk for this recipe. I’ve had good luck with Blue Dragon, Native Forest, and Thai Kitchen brands, as well as the 365 by Whole Foods brand. Do not use “lite” coconut milk, or any type of boxed coconut beverage; instead of creamy ice cream, the final product will be crunchy and icy.
• Alcohol – If you’d like you can add an optional third ingredient—a small amount of flavorless alcohol—to prevent freezing. See my notes below.

Should I Add Alcohol to My Homemade Ice Cream?

Store-bought ice creams contain stabilizers and emulsifiers to inhibit freezing. Adding alcohol to homemade ice cream serves a similar purpose, lowering the freezing point, preventing the base from becoming too solid, and creating an easier-to-scoop dessert. I use vodka because it has little to no flavor.

You can omit the alcohol from this recipe. However, the ice cream will require extra time to soften before serving. You might also notice a less smooth consistency, with more ice crystals present.

Is This Coconut Milk Ice Cream Dairy Free?

As written, this ice cream recipe is not dairy-free or vegan, because Nutella contains skimmed milk powder and whey powder.

For a dairy-free frozen dessert, replace the Nutella with a dairy-free hazelnut spread such as Justin’s Chocolate Hazelnut Butter. Or, try my vanilla peach granita recipe instead!

Recommended Tools and Equipment

• Ice Cream Maker – I recommend this Cuisinart 1.5 quart ice cream maker. Thoroughly freeze the bowl (the instructions say 24 hours, but I freeze mine for at least 48), or store it in the freezer so you can make ice cream at a moment’s notice.
• Ice Cream Scoop – For scooping and serving the finished product! I prefer a sturdy metal scoop, like this one.
• Hand Whisk – You’ll need a whisk to combine the milk, cream, and cocoa powder for the ice cream base. To make things even easier, you can use an immersion blender to blitz the coconut milk and Nutella.
• Flexible Rubber Spatula – Use a rubber spatula or scraping the mixture into the ice cream maker, and from the ice cream maker bowl into a storage container. I recommend sticking with soft silicone—metal spoons or other hard utensils can scratch the delicate interior of the ice cream maker bowl.
• Storage Container – This recipe makes one pint of ice cream. It fits perfectly in a cardboard pint container, or a reusable silicone ice cream container.

Make-Ahead and Storage Suggestions

Store Nutella ice cream in the freezer for up to one month. Prior to serving, allow ice cream to sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes, or until easily scoopable.

I recommend these disposable cardboard pint containers for packaging and storing homemade ice cream.

Other ice cream recipes you might enjoy:

Peanut Butter Ice Cream
Mango Ice Cream
White Chocolate Coconut Ice Cream
S’mores Ice Cream

And if you do make these, or any of my recipes, don’t forget to tag me @bastecutfold or use the hashtag #bastecutfold on Instagram. I always love to see what you’re making!

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