This keto salted caramel ice cream is extra rich and creamy, and it stays soft and scoopable in your freezer. At only 1.6g carbs per serving, you can afford to indulge all summer long.
Salted caramel ice cream… doesn’t that sound absolutely magical? It also sounds like something you probably shouldn’t eat on a keto diet.
But you can, you really can! I promise, scout’s honor. Now would I lead you astray???
Ever since I created the best keto caramel sauce, I’ve been putting it in, on, and under just about anything I can think of. I’ve made keto caramel frappuccinos, salted caramel cheesecake bars, and my almost famous Keto Caramel Cake.
It was only a matter of time before I worked it into some keto ice cream too!
Updated keto salted caramel ice cream
I first developed this recipe back in 2015, and it quickly became a fan favorite. I mean, what’s not to love? Salted caramel is one of the best flavors in the world, if you ask me!
Back then, my caramel sauce recipe was more low carb than truly keto. It contained a little coconut sugar, for both color and to help keep the sauce from re-crystallizing as it cools.
But a lot has changed in the keto world since 2015. We have so many wonderful sweetener options now and I’ve hit upon the best combination for making caramel sauce. Swerve Brown helps give it the right color and flavor, and BochaSwet (or allulose) helps keep it soft and pourable.
And hey, it also helps lower the carb count!
The original recipe also included chopped dark chocolate. But so many readers said that they preferred it without so I’ve honored that by removing it from the recipe. Of course, you’re still welcome to add it if you like
How to make keto salted caramel ice cream
This is a custard based ice cream recipe, in which you cook the cream mixture with egg yolks before churning. Don’t be intimidated, it’s really quite a simple process. Here’s how it’s done:
- Make the caramel sauce. Simply melt the butter with the sweeteners and bring to a boil. Add some sea salt too!
- Whisk in the cream. Add both cream and almond milk and heat until just barely simmering.
- Temper the eggs. This helps bring them up to temperature before adding them into the hot cream, so that they don’t curdle.
- Cool the custard properly. It won’t churn properly if you don’t chill it for several hours first.
- Churn the custard. Follow the directions for your ice cream maker.
- Freeze until firm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your best two options are allulose or xylitol. Erythritol-based sweeteners (such as Swerve and Lakanto) will not work, as your ice cream will freeze rock solid.
Please understand that “monk fruit sweetener” is usually mostly erythritol with a little bit of monk fruit to make it sweeter. It’s a marketing ploy! So read the label and if the first ingredient is erythritol, then no, it won’t help.
You don’t have to use it, but it does help make the ice cream softer and more scoopable out of the freezer.
Vodka is optional but it also helps the ice cream consistency, and keep it from getting too icy.
This recipe requires an ice cream maker and I do not have a no churn version at this time. However, you can always turn it into popsicles! Seriously delicious.
Absolutely. Simply chop 2 to 3 ounces of sugar free dark chocolate and mix it into the ice cream as you transfer it to the container.
Seriously, people, this keto salted caramel ice cream is so dreamy, you won’t believe it’s sugar-free. Now go make some!
More recipes that use keto caramel sauce
- Salted Caramel Butter Bars
- Keto Salted Caramel Brownies
- Carmelitas
- Pumpkin Caramel Lava Cakes
- Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate
- Keto Pecan Pie Cheesecake
Keto Salted Caramel Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 6 tbsp butter
- 1/3 cup Swerve Brown
- 1/3 cup BochaSweet or allulose
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 tsp kosher or sea salt
- 1/4 tsp xanthan gum
- 1 1/2 cups whipping cream
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, (or hemp milk)
- 3 large egg yolks
- 2 tbsp vodka, (optional, helps reduce iciness)
Instructions
- Set a medium bowl over an ice bath and set aside.
- In a large saucepan, combine the butter and sweeteners. When the butter has melted, whisk to combine well. Bring to a boil and cook 3 to 5 minutes, being careful not to burn it.
- Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and salt. Sprinkle the surface with the xanthan gum and whisk vigorously to combine.
- Slowly add the cream, whisking constantly; the mixture may bubble vigorously. Stir in the almond milk. Set over medium low heat and cook, whisking frequently, until the mixture reaches 165F on an instant read thermometer.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks until smooth. Slowly add about 1 cup of the hot cream mixture, whisking constantly. Then slowly return the egg yolks to the hot cream in saucepan, whisking constantly. Continue to cook until mixture reaches 175F on an instant read thermometer.
- Pour the custard into the bowl set over ice bath and cool 10 minutes. Then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and chill at least 2 hours.
- Whisk in the vodka, if using. Pour the mixture into the canister of an ice cream maker and churn according to manufacturer's directions.
- Once churned, transfer the ice cream to an airtight container. Freeze until firm, about 2 hours.
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
Please note that I am not a medical or nutritional professional. I am simply recounting and sharing my own experiences on this blog. Nothing I express here should be taken as medical advice and you should consult with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program. I provide nutritional information for my recipes simply as a courtesy to my readers. It is calculated using MacGourmet software and I remove erythritol from the final carb count and net carb count, as it does not affect my own blood glucose levels. I do my best to be as accurate as possible but you should independently calculate nutritional information on your own before relying on them. I expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website.
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What a rich, caramel/buttery ice cream!
I usually pasteurize my eggs that I need for my ice cream because it’s less stove time. But I wondered if you can use the caramel sauce to make caramel ribbons in the ice cream by adding it at the end of churning or if it would freeze up. Also, do you need the almond milk or can you use all heavy cream? Thanks! Karen
I think you will need to experiment!
This is my family’s favorite keto ice cream recipe! It’s what keeps me buying Bocha Sweet on auto delivery.
This sounds absolutely amazing! I save every one of all your recipes and now am collecting all of your books! Thank you🙏for what you do for the low carb/keto world!
Question – could I use full fat coconut milk in place of the heavy cream? I’m not dairy free but an experimenting with non-dairy recipes.
I have not had too much success with coconut milk in keto ice cream. It tends to become overly hard in the freezer. You could replace maybe some of it, but I wouldn’t do all of it if you want a good consistency.
Do try Aroy-d brand coconut milk in the 1 liter carton that I buy on Amazon. It is creamy and makes great dairy free ice cream!
love this recipe..it is my go to…I bought some Lance golden would that work for brown swerve. I bought some when it went on sale….could it be substituted for swerve brown in your recipes
I just got a new ice cream maker. I think this looks great. Can’t wait to try it. Do you have a matcha or green tea ice cream recipe?
Not at this time, no.
All Day I Dream About Food Question: I made your Salted Carmel Ice Cream and followed the instructions exactly, and it’s been in the chest freezer for a few days and last night I had some, and there were quite a few small ice chips in it, is this normal? I even put the vodka in it. It was VERY TASTY! 😊
What sweetener did you use?
I used the Swerve Brown and Boca Sweet sweetners, and the Serve Brown was the original formula, cuz I got it before they changed it. And I used the brand name for the Vodka.
I’m wondering if it was my ice cream maker, it didn’t freeze it very much before I put it in the freezer. I got the Cuisinart one from Amazon, from your link, but I haven’t had a chance to use it yet. Again, thanks for any help you can give me. I love your recipes!
You mean that the ice cream didn’t freeze much during the churning process? Then yes, the issue would be the ice cream maker I think.
Yes, that’s what I meant. Well I’m glad I got a new ice cream maker, hopefully that will fix my icey-ness problem. 😊 Thank you for all your help.
This ice cream is ridiculously rich and smooth and good. No one can believe it’s Keto!!! I added about 3/4 cup chopped toasted pecans which is the perfect addition in my opinion!!
Any way to make this without an ice cream maker?
My husband is asking if you can use whiskey instead of vodka for the same effect. I know it will change the flavor but do you think it would still freeze the same?
Yes, they are both hard spirits so it should have the same effect.
This stuff saves my Keto life!! I love ice cream and caramel and this does not spike my glucose! Such a great recipe!! Delicious and much better than store bought!! Thank you
So glad you enjoy it!
OMG this is by far the best Carmel ice cream I’ve made ???? thank you
I made this yesterday, just like the recipe says. It is very delicious with the caramel sauce! But, I think all the heavy cream messes with my tummy. (I had made your vanilla ice cream recipe before, which calls for all heavy whipping cream and boy, it really upset my tummy, but is was so good). Do you think this recipe would work with using less heavy whipping cream and upping the almond milk please? That caramel sauce is to die for though!
You can try but it won’t be as creamy and it may freeze harder.
Can I substitute vodka with MCT oil?
I really don’t know that it will have the same effect but you’re welcome to experiment.
I don’t have alcohol in my house so MCT oil is what I used and It worked really well for me. So if you gave it a try I hope it worked out for you as well.
Made this last night and it worked! Used Bocha Sweet as directed and it’s still scoopable and creamy today. Used macadamia milk instead of the almond milk. No other substitutes. Very happy!
I don’t have almond milk, can I substitute half and half or whipping cream?
I think I just answered you on Facebook! Sure. 🙂
Ooouuuuuu baby, this is the real deal. I made this for my husband, as a treat for giving up his candy….well, most of it. I couldn’t stop myself from licking the ice cream dasher and bowl clean! And my husband loved it. Thank you for doing all the hard work on ketofying foods, it will help keep us on track!