This dessert goes by many names: Nice-Cream, Banana Whip, and Banana Soft-Serve to name a few. Essentially, it is frozen banana and a little almond milk that is whipped in a high-powered blender until smooth and creamy. The texture is nearly identical to traditional soft-serve ice cream. Ice cream is pretty much my favorite dessert of all time, especially in the warm spring and summer months. Nice-Cream is an awesome substitute that tastes just as good and is so much better for you. The recipe listed here is for a super decadent chocolate peanut butter version. You can always use regular cocoa powder whenever a recipe calls for cacao (pronounced cuh-cow). HOWEVER, there are many health benefits of cacao and a small bag will really last you a long time if you make the investment. Cacoa is the purest form of chocolate and is much less processed than cocoa powder. It is thought to be the highest source of antioxidants and magnesium of ALL foods. Cacao powder does contain more calories than cocoa powder, but that is because it is more pure and contains more nutrients in general. Cacao or cocoa, this Nice-Cream is delicious either way. If you prefer fruity ice cream, try leaving out the cacao and peanut butter and just whipping the banana and almond milk. Top with fruit instead of cacao nibs! Either way you have a seriously awesome dessert that you can honestly feel good about eating. Everyone that I have made this for really loves it and my husband requests it all the time!
Active Time: 5 minutes Total Time: 15 minutes
Serves: 2
Ingredients: 2 frozen bananas 2 tbsp creamy natural peanut butter 1 tbsp cacao powder (or cocoa powder) 1/4-1/3 cup of almond milk (I used Silk original light)
2 tbsp cacao nibs or non-dairy chocolate chunks
Directions:
Blend first 4 ingredients in a high-speed blender until smooth. Start with 1/4 cup of almond milk and add up to 1/3 cup to achieve soft-serve consistency. Add in half the chocolate chunks and blend once more to chop up. Top with remaining whole cacao nibs or chocolate chunks. You can eat immediately, but I prefer to put in the freezer for about 10 minutes. This helps it firm up a little so it doesn’t melt as quickly.
Nutrition Information per serving (without toppings):
Calories: 225 Fat: 11g Carbs: 35g Protein: 5g Sodium: 88mg Sugar: 17g
*Nutrition information is based on the products I used personally in this recipe. Different products may yield slightly different information.
