Almond Milk Ice Cream

Happy July everyone! Also known as National Ice Cream Month! Going out for ice cream is a common thing to do on a hot summer day, but it also comes along with a ton of calories, sugar, and fat. Frozen yogurt has become a very popular alternative, but is still high in sugar.  I decided to come up with a healthy, low-calorie alternative that will still satisfy your craving for something cold and sweet.  No ice cream maker required! I made this recipe using unsweetened vanilla almond milk, the only kind of milk I use. It's only 30 calories per cup, there's no sugar, and it still has calcium and other important nutrients that you get from cow's milk.

Ingredients:
-Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk (I use Blue Diamond)
-1/2 tbsp of sugar-free instant pudding mix -- any flavor
-2 stevia packets
-pinch of salt
-1/4 tsp xanthan gum (optional but highly recommended. it makes it fluffy and thick)

Optional/Add-ins to create your flavor of choice:
-1/4 tsp of any extract- vanilla, maple, banana, etc.
-1/2 scoop whey protein any flavor
-stevia drops any flavor

Directions: To give an example I'm going to describe how I'd make Butterscotch Toffee flavored ice cream.  Mix 3/4 cup almond milk, 1/2 tbsp sugar-free butterscotch instant pudding mix, 2 stevia packets, 5 drops english toffee stevia drops, pinch of salt, and 1/2 scoop cinnamon swirl whey protein in a bowl.  Pour into ice cube tray and freeze.  Once completely frozen, blend the ice cubes, ~1/4 cup almond milk (or a little less if you want it less like soft-serve and more frozen) and 1/4 tsp xanthan gum in a blender.
*If you use a vegan protein such as Sun Warrior, I've found that you may need to blend it for a minute, add a little bit more almond milk, and then keep blending.  A little more complicated but it still works!

*I've also found adding 1 tbsp of plain Greek yogurt when you're blending the ice cream makes it like a Wendy's frosty! Not needed though!

I've made this ice cream with and without protein powder, with different extracts and pudding mixes, and it tastes good every time! Get creative and don't forget to add toppings! :)