Take all the best flavors of the Pumpkin Spice Latte and turn it into low carb ice cream! Cool, creamy and a whole lot healthier, this keto dessert recipe will satisfy all your pumpkin cravings.
I’m addicted to Pumpkin Spice and I am not afraid to admit it. I have so many delicious keto pumpkin recipes and there is no sign of me stopping any time soon. I’ve got the best keto pumpkin pancakes, the best keto pumpkin muffins, and the best pumpkin breakfast bars, all here on this blog.
And with pumpkin spice season just around then corner, I thought it was time to make some keto pumpkin ice cream too. Because it’s still hot out there but I crave that pumpkin spice flavor anyway. And this sweet sugar-free ice cream recipe is the perfect solution.
A longstanding love of Pumpkin Spice
When I was heading to the hospital to have my third child, I took my husband by the hand, looked deep into his eyes, and made him swear on all he holds dear that he would bring me a Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks after the baby was born.
I’d spent that late summer and early fall in PSL withdrawal due to gestational diabetes and I wanted one, a big one, practically the minute the baby had made her way into the world. I was determined to have one, even if I had to hightail my johnny-clad postpartum body down the street to the nearest Starbucks myself.
Good man that he is, he swore he would do as I asked and he followed through. It might have been the best cup of coffee I’d ever had and I didn’t care one iota about the sugar I was putting in my body. I’d denied myself many a treat over the course of my pregnancy and as I was slender and fit, we all thought my blood sugar issues would resolve the minute the baby was born.
Which it did, only to reappear six or so months down the road. But that Pumpkin Spice Latte will live forever in my memory.
The thing is that I don’t really miss them all that much anymore. The infamous PSL no longer has the kind of power over me that it used to do. I can imagine that were I to taste one now, I’d realize that it was horrifically sweet and didn’t really taste much like real pumpkin spice should. So I’d rather it live on in my memory as something I used to love.
How to Make Keto Pumpkin Ice Cream
The best part is that it’s really so easy to take those pumpkin spice flavors and add them to just about any delicious keto dish. You can make a classic Pumpkin Spice Latte, or branch out and make a keto pumpkin chai latte. Or add those same flavors to a keto pumpkin biscotti. Really, it’s wide open for experimentation.
And this pumpkin ice cream has all the amazing flavors of my favorite fall drink. I added some instant espresso powder to really make it true to the PSL, but you could skip that, if you prefer.
Here are my best tips on rocking the keto pumpkin ice cream:
Heavy whipping cream is your friend. The higher the fat content, the creamier the ice cream. Heavy whipping cream has the highest fat content, being typically over 35% butter fat.
A brown sugar substitute gives this pumpkin ice cream a real pumpkin pie kind of flavor. I prefer Swerve but there are others you could use as well.
Yes, you really DO need another sweetener. I get asked this constantly. Let me tell you straight up that using just erythritol based sweeteners (which includes Lakanto, by the way), will make your ice cream freeze rock hard. It’s just the nature of the beast. But if you mix it with Bocha Sweet or allulose, you will have perfectly scoopable ice cream, right out of the freezer.
The Yacon syrup is optional. It simply improves the color and the deep, almost caramel-like flavor. And it only adds about 0.5g carbs per serving.
You can use pumpkin pie spice in place of the separate spices. About 1 1/2 teaspoons ought to do it.
Use an instant read thermometer. It’s the best way to tell when the custard is sufficiently cooked. You do still need to be whisking almost constantly, so you don’t curdle the egg yolks.
Ready to enjoy some delicious Pumpkin Spice Latte Ice Cream? It’s the perfect treat for that funny in-between time when it’s still hot out but you really want your pumpkin spice goodies!
More Delicious Keto Pumpkin Recipes
Keto Pumpkin Cheesecake Mousse
Take all the best flavors of the Pumpkin Spice Latte and turn it into low carb ice cream! Cool, creamy and a whole lot healthier, this keto dessert recipe will satisfy all your pumpkin cravings.
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1/3 cup Swerve Brown
- 1/3 cup Bocha Sweet (or xylitol or allulose)
- 1 tsp instant espresso powder
- 4 large egg yolks
- 1 tsp Yacon syrup (or molasses) Optional, helps with color and flavor
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/8 tsp ground cloves
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
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Set a bowl over an ice bath and set aside.
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In a large saucepan, combine the cream, sweetener and instant coffee over medium heat. Stir until the sweetener and coffee dissolve and mixture reaches 170 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer.
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In a medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks with Yacon, cinnamon, ginger and cloves. Slowly add about 1 cup of the hot cream mixture, whisking continuously. Then slowly whisk the egg yolk mixture back into the saucepan. Cook until the mixture reaches 175 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer.
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Pour the mixture into the bowl set over ice bath and let cool 10 minutes. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours up to overnight.
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Whisk in the pumpkin puree and vanilla extract. Pour into the canister of an ice cream maker and churn according to manufacturer’s directions. Once churned, transfer to an airtight container and freeze until firm, about 2 hours
Sara from Sweden says
I love the pumpkin season!! Probably because I live in Sweden and we’re not big into pumpkins but it looks so good so I think I need to bring some more pumpkin deliciousness into my Swedish life!
Christine at Cook the Story says
Pumpkin ice cream is like celebrating the best of summer and the best of fall all at once!
Alyssa (Everyday Maven) says
I used to be on the PSLatte train as well. Now, it is so sickeningly sweet and fake tasting, I wouldn’t be able to get past 1 or 2 sips. That is a great story! I was dying for some raw sushi with my last baby and my husband was on it once the baby came. 🙂
Carolyn says
Oh those crazy pregnancy cravings. Can’t say I miss being pregnant, but then I did it 3 times already. Enjoy yours, Alyssa!
Deanna says
I had gestational diabetes too. Not a big fan of having to inject insulin! That was 12 years ago and I’m still trying to stay ahead of diabetes catching me (just gave blood yesterday for tests – fingers crossed that I’m still in the clear). I’m sure what I am learning from your site will help me no matter what the outcome. Thanks for enjoying food as much as I do and making your recipes tasty! Some of these ingredients are spendy, so it’s nice to find a site where the recipes have all had good flavor. I’m starting to trust you…are there any of your early recipes that you know are yucky?! LOL
Carolyn says
Oh good question! I wouldn’t say “yucky” but a few I might say not as polished or as good as they are now. If ever you have a question about a recipe, don’t hesitate to ask!
Amanda says
I need to make this now! So perfect for the end of summer and almost fall!
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says
Hahah if/when I am in labor I would probably demand some kind of food at the end as well. This ice cream looks exceptional.
Carol says
Made half recipe of this yummy super-rich ice cream. Didn’t have espresso powder so put in a packet of Starbucks Via Italian Roast and I used pumpkin pie spice. Does harden overnight but softens pretty quickly if frozen in serving size. Also think it would taste good blended up with some almond milk!
Carolyn says
Thanks for the feedback, Carol!
eric says
OMGG this looks delicious, I need to make this now!
Linda says
This sounds so awesomly (dangerously!) delicious!
amanda says
If i use honey or even evaporated cane juice i stead of the swerve, would i still need the vodka or vegetable glycerin?
Carolyn says
I really can’t say, I don’t use those.
Pam Fisk says
I made your peach ice cream a couple weeks ago. It’s the creamiest ice cream I’ve ever had. With the keto recipes I’ve found that they don’t seem sweet enough to me. Do you have a suggestion? I’m definitely going to make this recipe.
Carolyn says
Interesting! So many people say they are too sweet. One thing to keep in mind is that we all experience these sweeteners differently. For me, this one and the peach one are on point, but clearly not for you. So I’d be upping the Swerve by a few tbsp and maybe the Bocha sweet by another few tbsp.
Pamela Fisk says
Thank you, Carolyn.
Linda says
And a small pinch of salt – brings out the sweetness
Erica says
Is this still scoopable after the 2 hr freezing period?
Carolyn says
Yes, if you use the specified sweeteners.
Laurie L says
This was super rich and tasty. I was out of expresso powder so I improvised and added 1/2 cup of Lily’s dark chocolate chips after it was done in the ice cream maker to add some tasty bitterness to balance the sweetness. I love soft serve so some might have been eaten before it fully hardened. I’m the only one who does Keto in my house so I have 5 individual servings waiting for me in my freezer throughout this week. Don’t judge but I plan to take a container for breakfast tomorrow. 🙂 Thank you for all your wonderful recipes!
Carolyn says
Sounds good to me!
ROSEMARY LA RUE says
can this be made without an ice maker machine?
Carolyn says
I haven’t tried this one as a no-churn recipe. sorry.
Angie says
Do you think I could put in pecans or walnuts after it has churned?
Carolyn says
Sure, that would be great.
Betsy says
Delicious! I can’t believe this is Keto friendly! Love the pumpkin and how creamy this is!
Julie Blanner says
Yum! I love pumpkin ice cream, and I love even more that this is keto friendly!! This is so delicious and a perfect treat for the fall
Anna says
Loving this low carb ice cream version! Perfect for the fall!
Stephanie says
This was so delicious! I can’t believe it’s Keto-friendly!
Melissa says
You have the best Keto- friendly recipes! Thanks for another great one!