With Summer coming soon you might be craving some sweet warm weather desserts. My favorite is always a fresh homemade blender “ice-cream”, which uses frozen bananas for a creamy texture and natural sweetness. Instead of my old staple of “vanilla” I decided to switch it up with some frozen cherries and I have to say I’m absolutely hooked on this recipe! Chocolate cherry anything was basically my weakness growing up, but this version is all natural and actually good for you so there’s no guilt!
All you need are a few simple ingredients, unsweetened almond milk, frozen very ripe bananas, frozen cherries, cocoa powder and a blender. I recommend using a Vita-Mix if you’re planning on making blender ice-creams frequently (along with smoothies, blended soups, salad dressings and home ground flours). But you can also use a regular blender or food processor (just make sure to let the bananas defrost a little and chop them into smaller pieces to make them easier to blend.
In my Vita-Mix this recipe is ready in about 30-60 seconds (reg blender a minute or two) so it’s easy to whip up. You can also serve it as a snack or a light meal instead if you want to! I often make blender ice-cream for my family or dinner guests and everyone raves about how delicious it is, they can’t even tell it’s vegan. All they know is it’s some delicious soft serve ice-cream. I hope you like it too!
Vegan Chocolate Cherry Blender Ice Cream
Serves 1-2
Ingredients:
1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk, or other non dairy milk
1 tbsp cocoa or cacao powder
1 large frozen banana (make sure it’s very ripe before freezing, this makes your ice-cream naturally sweet)
1 cup frozen pitted cherries (often found at the grocery store or Costco)
Directions:
1. Place ingredients into blender or Vita-Mix in order listed. (If using a regular low powered blender make sure to let the frozen bananas sit for 2-3 minutes on the counter to partially defrost. Then slice them into small chunks so they become easier to blend. Also cut the cherries in half.)
2. Blend the ingredients on medium low to medium speed. If using a Vita-Mix use the tamper to plunge the frozen fruit down into the blades until well combined (30-60 seconds). If using a regular blender or food processor stop the blender periodically to stir as needed. Blend until smooth and cocoa is evenly distributed.
3. Serve immediately. Blender ice-cream is best eaten fresh, but can be frozen if needed.
Variations:
Instead of cherries you can add different berries such as frozen blackberries, raspberries or strawberries. But you made need to add additional sweetener if using tart berries such as a tablespoon of maple syrup.
For regular chocolate ice-cream, substitute another banana for the cherries.
Have you ever had banana ice-cream before? How do you make it?
marcia
OMG, my daughter makes me make “ice cream” every night and we can because it is good for you. My favorite has been frozen bananas with some cacao powder (maybe one tablespoon per banana or a little less). Then top it with some walnuts and HOLY COW, it is sooooooo GOOD
Andrea
It was fun meeting you at our lunch table at VVC! I’m with you on the chocolate/cherry combination. I love ice cream and smoothies made from them in my vitamix. I can’t wait for Costco to get a new crop of frozen cherries — my supply is almost gone.
Low Fat Vegan Chef Veronica
Hi Andrea! Thanks for saying hi and checking out my blog. It was really nice meeting you at VVC. I love frozen cherries.
Linda
Thank you for all the wonderful recipes! I like it with raspberries and I add some vegan chocolate chips at the very end and barely break them up to add a chocolatey crunch.
Diane
I make mine the easy way. I just put my frozen bananas in a juicer with the blank on it. As I put the bananas in, I put the fruit in between bananas. I have used manago, raspberry, blueberry, etc.
Mix it if needed. Freeze in a bowl or whatever you choose. The amounts of bananas and fruit is arbitrary – if you like bananas more, then use more of them, but if you like the fruit, then it should be dominant.
Teresa de Souza
DELICIOUS !
I would love to have it now !
Thanks again , V eronica !
Great Idea !
Teresa
Marilyn
We love banana ice cream and all it’s varieties. We make ours with a champion juicer. Just put the frozen fruit through with the blank and out comes yummy ice cream.
Carol
Wonderful! Ice cream is my weakness. Now I can have it and be healthy too.
Bobbie Jo Thompson
Your website that is a delight read.
Brett Yonas
Your website that is a delight read.