There is no question that ice cream is a delicious summer favorite, but the store-bought kind and even homemade versions are filled with tons of sugar and loaded with unhealthy fat. Plus, the dairy in ice cream can often leave us feeling bloated and uncomfortable, which nobody wants! But don’t you worry, we have an excellent alternative for you: Nice Cream!
Nice Cream is the healthier cousin of ice cream, and you can make this treat from the comfort of your own home. It’s cold and creamy, super easy to make, and really delicious. Just start with a base of frozen bananas and any nut milk you like and blend – easy right?!
Bananas are really healthy – they are rich in fiber, contain many antioxidants, nutrients, and are low in calories. One medium banana has only 105 calories and contains Potassium, Copper, Magnesium, Vitamin C and much more. The riper the banana is, the more fructose (sugar) it will have and therefore be sweeter. For the purpose of Nice Cream, you want the bananas to be ripe but not overripe.
Below, we have shared three add-ins to make different flavors that we love and we think you will too. So next time that pesky sweet tooth starts nagging, you can just whip up a batch of your favorite Nice Cream!
Servings: 3-4
Base Ingredients:
3-4 Ripe bananas
1 Tablespoon Nut Milk (we used Unsweetened Cashew Milk)
Add-ins:
Mint Chocolate Chip:
1/4 tsp. peppermint extract
1/2 cup Dairy-free chocolate chips
Pinch of Spirulina
Handful of Spinach
Pina Colada:
1/4 cup canned coconut milk (that has been in the refrigerator overnight)
1/2 cup frozen pineapples chunks
1/8 – 1/4 toasted coconut flakes
Chocolate Almond Butter:
1/8 cup chocolate chips, melted
2 tablespoon Almond Butter
Instructions:
1.) For the Nice Cream base: Place frozen bananas in food processor or high-powered blender and blend until you reach a creamy consistency, similar to soft serve ice cream. Add 1 tablespoon of milk and blend some more. You can enjoy as it is now or place in a bowl or container and put this in the freezer for about 30 minutes to harden up. This is delicious as it is or if you want to get creative, keep reading for the other flavors.
2.) For the Mint Chocolate Chip flavor – after you blend the bananas and milk, add the peppermint extract, spinach and a pinch of spirulina (mainly for coloring). You will need to blend this well to incorporate the spinach. Once you have the color and flavoring just the way you like it, place the mixture in a bowl or container and fold in the chocolate chips. You will most likely need to put this into the freezer to harden up.
3.) For the Piña Colada flavor – after you blend the bananas and nut milk, add the coconut milk and blend some more – then add the frozen pineapple chunks and continue to blend until you get the consistency you want. Place in a bowl or container and fold in the toasted coconut flakes. Either enjoy or freeze to harden up.
4.) For the Chocolate Almond Butter flavor – after you blend the bananas and nut milk, add the almond butter until you get the consistency you want. Place in a bowl or container and fold in the melted chocolate – this will freeze up quickly and look like ribbons of chocolate in your ice cream. Freeze to harden for about 30 minutes and enjoy!
