Black-owned vegan ice cream shops reimagine frozen treats for the dairy-free

Questions of wellness and environmental impact are inspiring more folks to eschew milk and dairy in their everyday diet, beverages and confections, leaving a hefty appetite for alternatives. For those wishing to maintain a love of frozen indulgence in their life, finding freedom in dairy-free alternatives to ice cream can be an empowering bliss. These Black-owned brands have all stepped up to the plate with a suite of offerings sure to satisfy.

Kube

Sustainably sourced and specially formulated to provide that real ice cream feel, this Black woman-owned brand blends its own coconut cream with a full fat content to give customers an industry-defining mouthfeel alongside mouthwatering flavors like key lime, coffee latte, and salted caramel pecan. The company overcame overwhelming odds to reach its current status after facing a lack of venture capital investment in their earlier years.

Cajou

With travel-inspired flavors like Kulfi, baklava, and horchata, the success of this vegan ice cream brand is based in the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia areas. It’s known for fresh ingredients, an additive-free formula and the creaminess of cashews. Dwight Campbell, half of the husband-and-wife team behind it all, has over ten years of experience as a commercial chef and finds his passion in experimenting with different flavor profiles in the kitchen.

Hood Cream

A pandemic hobby turned into a full-time pursuit for New Orleans local Nikki Thompson. She used the ice cream maker her grandmother gave her to launch her frozen ambitions. Responding to the needs of her community, Thompson chose to eschew dairy in favor of a coconut-based formula that helps customers stay health-conscious. Thompson pulls up to nightlife spots and local events to serve flavors defined by the local community like By The Pound, featuring pound cake, and Let’s Get Married, an almond wedding cake flavor.

Whipped Urban Dessert Lab

With a luxe aesthetic and postmodern packaging, this Brooklyn-based ice crème shop offers diet-friendly decisions with a dash of fabulous. An oat milk-based soft serve that comes in chocolate or sweet creme is then coated in a plant-based sauce like mint chocolate or peanut butter, and dusted with a crumbled topping like pretzel or waffle cone for a multi-textured experience that stimulates the senses.

Vannah Banana

When touring the country as a rapper, artist-turned-entrepreneur Kianu Walker noticed that there were few good vegan options for ice cream on his many stops. Inspired by his father, a baker, he set out to rectify this upon his return home to Philadelphia. After developing his coconut-based formula with the help of a vegan commissary, his brand began showing up in restaurants around the city. With flavors like carrot cake cookie, blueberry vanilla or bean pie, to name but a few, his creative confections aim to uplift.

This story was originally published July 6, 2022 at 9:00 AM.