Cranberry Cointreau Coconut Ice Cream- Stunning, creamy vanilla coconut ice cream with a tart cranberry Cointreau swirl, topped off with candied pistachios.

You guys, I think I’ve become obsessed with making ice cream. Every time I’m presented with beautiful ingredients and seasonal produce I almost immediately think of how I can create a stunning and delectable frozen treat with them. Now, what got the dessert wheels turning this time? Andrew from One Ingredient Chef and Sam of It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken put together a Vegan Mystery Box Challenge (OOooOOooh)! Three ingredients, many awesome bloggers, equalling tons of fun and tasty holiday recipes for you. And of course, this Cranberry Cointreau Coconut Ice Cream!

The three ingredients in our hypothetical “Mystery Box” were cranberries, coconut milk, and pistachios. Immediately, I thought, ICE CREAM. Because who doesn’t like eating cold things when it’s cold outside, am I right? (Wait, what?) But, seriously, I could just picture the beautiful ribbons of bold red from the cranberries swirling through a bright white coconut ice cream, topped with complimentary splashes of green from candied pistachios. Christmas colors galore!

Another thing, when I was making a Cherry Amaretto ice cream recipe for Vegan Bowl Attack!, I figured out that booze in ice cream is a gift to everyone on earth and that this equation should happen often. With this knowledge, I figured adding some Cointreau (orange-flavored liqueur) to the cranberry sauce ribbon and the coconut ice cream would be a stellar idea. Believe me when I say that I figured correctly, because this frozen treat turned out to be a holiday masterpiece. Plus, the little bit of alcohol content keeps the ice cream from becoming a brick when frozen!

OH! I can’t forget to mention that this recipe requires NO ICE CREAM MAKER/MACHINE. You read that right, NO ice cream maker. (Though, I highly recommend you get one because they are awesome and I love mine.) For this recipe, you have a short ingredients list, and only need a pan, freezer, sealable bag and a food processor or high-speed blender. Find the recipe below, along with a list of all of the recipes inspired by the Vegan Mystery Box Challenge!

One year: Veggie Frittata Bites / Two years: Persimmon Cheesecake in a Glass / Three years: Persimmon Oatmeal Cookies / Four years: Quick Curry Tofu

More recipes aside from Cranberry Cointreau Coconut Ice Cream!

Magic Fruit Cake Bars with White Chocolate Drizzle by One Ingredient Chef

Vegan Cranberry Pistachio Loaf by It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken

Cranberry Cheesecake & Pistachio Stuffed Vegan French Toast by Connoisseurus Veg

Pistachio Crusted Cranberry Cashew Coconut Cheese by Lemon and Coconut

Cranberry Pistachio and Mango Salad by Veggies Save the Day

Cranberry Pistachio Donuts by Two City Vegans (Casey)

Cranberry Pistachio Gingersnap Truffles by Two City Vegans (Alix)

Warm Barley Bowl with Roasted Brussels, Sweet Potatoes and a Coconut Curry Dressing by Taste Space

Whole Wheat Cranberry Pistachio Vegan Biscotti by Veggie Inspired Journey

Coconut Pistachio Cashew Cheese Panini with Cranberry Jam by Peppers and Peaches

Toasted Pistachio Rice Pudding with Candied Cranberries by The Lazy Vegan Baker

Pistachio and Cranberry Cream Sandwich Cookies by Love Me Feed Me

Vegan Meringue Nests with Cranberry Coconut Whip and Crushed Pistachios by The Viet Vegan

Vegan Coconut Quinoa Salad by Beets Not Meats

Cranberry Orange & Pistachio Muffins With Vanilla Cream by A Virtual Vegan

Gourmet Lazy Cabbage Rolls by Choose to Cook

Sweet Potato Coconut Curry with Cranberries and Pistachios by The Tofu Diaries

Lebanese Semolina Pudding (Layali Lubnan) by Lands and Flavors

Vegan Chocolate Cranberry Cake by The Seasonal Diet

Jolly Bollywood Holiday Curry by Sexie Veggies