Recipes > Cashew Vanilla Cream

Cashew Vanilla Cream

Details

This non-diary cream can be used as a layer in parfaits or served over your favorite fruits. It also works as a base for ice cream — just place the cream into an ice cream maker and follow the manufacturers instructions.
  • Serves: 2 cups
  • Active Time: 5 mins
  • Total Time: 2 hrs
  • Views: 41,712
  • Success Rating: 96% (?)
    0% - I fed it to the dog
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Steps

Step 1: Making the Cashew Cream

Making the Cashew Cream
  • 2 cups raw cashews, soaked for 3-4 hours to soften
  • 3/4 cup water, coconut water or unsweetened non-dairy milk of choice
  • 1/4 cup liquid sweetener or apricot paste*
  • 1/2 vanilla bean fine minced or 2 tsp extract
  • pinch of sea salt

Method

Place the cashews, liquid, sweetener, vanilla and salt in a high speed blender. Process on high until very smooth, scraping down the sides of the blender jar from time to time.

Depending on the strength of your blender, the smoothness will vary.

*Note: Use sweetener or paste of choice.

*Also note: Using whole minced vanilla bean will only result in a smooth consistency when using a high speed blender. If you are not using a high speed blender, be sure to use vanilla extract rather than minced bean.

Chef's Notes

Cashew cream will keep for about a week in the refrigerator. It can also be frozen for a few months.

17 Comments

  • David C
    David C
    Has anyone tried adding agar to this to make a more stable cream? And/or then putting into a cream whipper? I thought I would ask before doing it myself.
  • Kirk B
    Kirk B
    Hi David - thanks for your comments - great thought! I haven't tried this approach but look forward to hearing how it turns out! All the best, Chef Kirk
  • Julie  H
    Julie H
    I have a friend who is allergic to cashews. Any suggestions for a substitute to make the cream? Cashews seem like such an ideal nut as it blends well after being soaked for a few hours and is mild tasting. For a savory dish, cashew cream can replace sour cream. For a dessert, cashew cream can be a great topping when mixed with a sweetener. I don’t know if there are other nuts that are as versatile. My friend can eat peanuts and other nuts without any issues. Thanks in advance for your help!
  • Lauren L
    Lauren L
    Hi Julie! How thoughtful that you are considering your friend's dietary needs here. Macadamias are a great substitute. Pine nuts have a stronger taste so I tend to use pine nuts for savory sauces and creams and macadamias (or cashews) for sweet applications. Happy cooking! Lauren
  • Julie  H
    Julie H
    Thank you Lauren!
  • Maria N
    Maria N
    This cream is excellent! It has turned Strawberries and Cream into the go to dessert for family gatherings!
  • Don G
    Don G
    This is more of a question, what liquid do you soak the nuts in? Just water?
  • Deann H Rouxbe Staff
    Deann H
    Hi Don, Yes, soak the cashews in clear, fresh water. Then drain, rinse well, and drain again before blending.
  • Carleen R
    Carleen R
    can cashew be soaked in dark rum or bourbon?
  • Lauren L
    Lauren L
    Hi Carleen! I like the way you think. You can add rum or bourbon to this but I would not use it at the soaking stage. I would soak the cashews in water, drain and then if you want to add alcohol, add it to the blender. If you want it to have a strong flavor of rum or bourbon, I usually add a good amount and then cook the cashew cream (with all ingredients) on a VERY low flame, stirring often for 10 minutes first. This step cooks out some of the alcohol taste and leaves you with the yummy flavor that you want. Allow the cooked cream to cool and then store or place in an ice cream maker!
  • Carl L
    Carl L
    This goes absolutely fantastic on the chocolate cream pie (task 159 from the plant-based pro cert course).
  • Louis R
    Louis R
    How long can I keep these in fridge for after finishing?
  • Eric W Rouxbe Staff
    Eric W
    Louis, most leftover foods will last for about one week in the refrigerator. As you approach days 5, 6, or 7, give it a sniff and a taste before using it.
  • Julieta A
    Julieta A
    Is the whole vanilla bean minced? or does 'minced' mean scraping the seeds here?
  • Eric W Rouxbe Staff
    Eric W
    Julieta, yes, the whole vanilla bean is minced.
  • Antoinette A
    Antoinette A
    Can you give me some examples of “liquid sweetener”. Could this be honey or maple syrup, or are you recommending a liquid sugar alternative?
  • Char N Rouxbe Staff
    Char N
    Hello Antoinette-- Thanks for writing. In this case we are referring to, however, not limited to: brown rice syrup, maple syrup, date syrup (silan), honey, etc. My personal choice is maple syrup. Cheers, Char

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