This easy recipe for creamy Chocolate Banana Nice Cream has rich, chocolate flavor. Keep frozen bananas on hand to quickly make this vegan, plant-based dessert.
Vegan Alternatives to Ice Cream
A huge hurdle when beginning a plant-based whole foods diet is eliminating dairy. Ice cream is one of the most beloved dairy foods. It’s associated with childhood, summer, and weeknight dessert. Luckily, this modern world has created plenty of dairy-free vegan ice creams that are widely available. The frozen aisle of most grocery stores have options like coconut ice cream, soy, and even Ben and Jerry’s has plenty of vegan options.
Whole Foods, Plant-Based Vegan Nice Cream
While it’s nice to have those vegan options, they aren’t necessarily healthier. Many are loaded with refined sugar, oils, and other nutrient-deficient ingredients. Rather, the healthiest option is to make your own Banana Nice Cream.
This quick Chocolate Banana Nice Cream is easy to make. It starts with whole foods, plant-based ingredients: frozen bananas, dates, and almond butter. You puree them with some cocoa powder, and voila – creamy, delicious vegan Nice Cream. You’ll be “screaming” about how good it is!
For more help on dairy-free cooking, check out my Chef’s Guide for Plant-Based Dairy-Free Cooking.
Chef Katie’s Plant-Based Cooking Tips
No Refined Sugar or Syrup? I’m on a mission to get rid of empty calories. This dessert doesn’t use any refined sugar, maple syrup, or other refined sweetener. Dried dates and ripe bananas provide sweetness, along with healthy fiber and essential nutrients.
Dark Cocoa Powder: For the best flavor, use a high-quality dark baking cocoa powder. It’s worth investing in a product that has deep, rich flavor. This will make your chocolate baking more delicious.
Almond Butter Alternatives: The roasted almond butter adds rich, nutty flavor to this recipe. You can also use roasted peanut butter. For a nut-free, low-fat option, omit the almond butter or substitute with another 1/2 banana.
Chocolate-Free: Substitute carob powder for the cocoa powder. Omit and add 1 teaspoon of vanilla for a Vanilla “I-Scream”
Save for Later: For enjoying later, tightly cover the I-Scream with plastic and place back in the freezer for up to two hours. Or store in the freezer for up to a month. Simply let thaw about 15-20 minutes before enjoying.
Other Flavors: Use this recipe as a template to add other flavors. Add flavor twists by adding 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, ginger, espresso powder, or pumpkin pie spice mix.
Weigh Your Ingredients: For precise measuring and consistent results, always weigh your ingredients. A small kitchen scale makes this easy to do. This will save you time and give you more delicious muffins and breads.
Easy | Servings: 6 | Ready In: 5 minutes | Yield: about 3 1/2 cups
Chocolate Banana I-Scream Nice Cream
Ingredients
- 4 medium ripe banana about 2 cups slices, frozen at least 4 hours
- 1/4 cup dried pitted dates 50 g
- 1 cup unsweetened plain almond milk 8 ounces
- 2 tablespoons roasted almond butter 32 g (no added oil or sweeteners)
- 1/4 cup good quality dark cocoa powder 48 g
Instructions
- To make the 5-Minute Chocolate Banana “I-Scream”: Place the frozen bananas, dates, almond milk, and in a food processor. Puree until smooth. Add the cocoa powder and puree to combine.
- Serve immediately in chilled bowls.
Notes
Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1/6 of a recipe (5.2 ounces).
Calories 151.27
Calories From Fat (24%) 36.27
% Daily Value
- Total Fat 4.28g 7%
- Saturated Fat 0.61g 3%
- Cholesterol 0mg 0%
- Sodium 32.25mg 1%
- Potassium 500.48mg 14%
- Total Carbohydrates 29.78g 10%
- Fiber 4.86g 19%
- Sugar 16.18g
- Protein 3.16g 6%
- Calcium 7.92mg <1%
- Iron 63.93mg 355%
- Vitamin A 58.82IU 1%
- Vitamin C 0mg 0
Shopping and Gear List
- Spread The Love UNSALTED Almond Butter, 16 Ounce
- Rodelle Gourmet Baking Cocoa, 25 Ounce
- Terrasoul Superfoods Organic Deglet Noor Dates (Pitted), 2 Pounds
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