Pour the contents of the coconut milk cans into a saucepan. If it is the first time you use coconut milk in cans then don’t be alarmed by seeing a thick layer of rather solid cream and a big part of milky water. That is normal. It happens because the coconut milk separates inside the can. Take a whisk and stir until everything is evenly combined.

Take about 125 ml (½ cup) of the coconut milk out of the pan and set aside in a small bowl. Add the arrow root powder to the small portion of coconut milk in the small bowl. The arrowroot powder will make sure the base thickens once this is added to the bigger pan. Mix until it is perfectly combined and place aside for now.

Return to the saucepan and add the 4 tablespoon of cane sugar, salt and vanilla. Gently heat over low to medium heat and stir until the sweetener is dissolved and all is well combined. Heat until warm but not boiling.

Pour the arrow root powder and coconut mixture into the warm coconut milk and whisk. Increase the heat to medium and keep whisking – don’t leave the pot now. Make sure to whisk it every now and then while making sure the heat is not too high. It is crucial to never let it come to a boil.

In about 5-7 minutes the arrow root powder will thicken the mixture and you will be left with a beautiful ice cream base that only needs chilling in the fridge. You will know it is done when you can draw a line with a fingertip on the back of a wooden spoon.

I chill my ice cream base in a small metal bowl and place a plate on top of it. You will have a small layer of skin forming on the top of the mixture though you can prevent that by stirring it every 10 minutes while it cools down. It is not necessary though because the processing in the ice cream machine usually takes care of it.

While the ice cream base is cooling down in the fridge place about half the cherries into a saucepan. Add 2 tablespoon cane sugar and gently heat until they start to fall apart and liquify. Simmer for about 5 minutes. Strain the mixture through a sieve and discard the skins. Add the pure liquid back to the pot and simmer until it is reduced to half the volume. At this point pour the hot cherry sauce into a bowl and add the other half of the raw cherries. Give it a gentle stir and let it cool down.

The ice cream base should be fully cooled down before you pour it into your ice cream maker. Depending on the type of ice cream maker that you have you will have to cool its bowl a day in advance. Simply read the instructions of your ice cream maker. I bought an extra bowl with mine so I always have one stashed in the freezer for instant use.

Once the base has cooled take it out of the fridge and pour it into your ice cream maker and run it until the ice cream is nearly formed. Transfer the soft ice cream it to a container and drizzle the cherry sauce on top. Take a fork and gently fold it into the mixture to create swirls. Don't overdo it or you will end up with a uniform colour instead of a nice marbled pattern.

Cover it with wax paper** and leave it in the freezer for another 2 hours. Doing this will give you the perfect ice cream that can be scooped neatly. To serve take it out of the freezer for a few minutes to soften. Scoop it into bowls and serve with fresh berries if you have.