Southern California is in the midst of a hot flash. Drag out the kiddie pool, glom on your scum screen and blend up something COLD. With weekend temperatures in the 80s, apparently we’ve skipped spring and gone straight to summer. Mid-March has delivered us ice cream weather, and by all means we will abide with nothing but enthusiasm and a brilliant two ingredient recipe. We call it the Chocolate Banana Swirl. Perfect if you have a pile of ripe bananas hanging out on your counter. Just cut up the bananas, freeze and swirl with your favorite flavors. We have some real chocoholics under our roof, so we add a few tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa, but you could do anything — frozen strawberries, blueberries, a little vanilla extract. If you want to make it a little more indulgent, mini vegan chocolate chips, crushed Oreos (they’re totally, accidentally vegan), a little vanilla coconut yogurt or a scoop of peanut butter. Top with roasted coconut chips, chopped nuts or fresh fruit.
Our second runner-up and a down right stellar combo is the banana, blueberry, vanilla and almond butter swirl. If you decide to add a nut butter, wait until you have everything pretty well incorporated in the blender, otherwise it just gloms to the bottom and sides of the blender.
Frozen Chocolate Banana Swirl
Four servings
Ingredients
- 4 Bananas, cut into 1 inch pieces and frozen
- 2 tbsp. Unsweetened Cocoa
- Nondairy Milk, just a splash to get things moving in your blender
Optional Mixins, from most to least healthy
- Hemp Seeds
- Vegan Protein Powder
- Almond Butter or Other Nut Butter
- Blueberries
- Strawberries
- Vanilla
- Coconut Yogurt
- Mini Vegan Chocolate Chips
- Oreos
Optional Toppings
- Chopped Nuts
- Fresh Fruit
- Roasted Coconut Chips
Instructions
- Drop all your ingredients in the blender and blend until creamy. If you over do it with the blender or the nondairy milk, just pop it in the freezer for up to an hour. The natural consistency of this is more like soft serve. If you want something more scoop-able, use the freezer method as well. Anything after an hour or so in the freezer and you’ll have a giant popsicle and not in a good way.
Katie Koteen
Ohhhh I'll have to check out the NY Times version - I bet it's perfection!
karen
katya! i have been making the NY Times One-Ingredient Banana Ice Cream but your added cocoa looks astounding!! well done!
John
This is a great idea. Perfect for the heat wave that is now hitting SoCal. Awesome alter-ice cream!
Cara
Amazing idea- I am looking forward to trying this over the weekend. I love that there are only 3 ingredients. While I am a fan of most store bought non-diary ice creams, there ends up being so much other "stuff" in them. I would rather replace dairy and animal protein with simple and natural foods. Thank you!
Georgia G
I'm so excited to try this! Oreos are vegan?
Well Vegan
@L. Walker - Agreed, we all need a alternative to ice cream. This one is so easy and healthy. A total winner!
L. Walker
You're post is just perfect for me right now. I have a strong sweet tooth but need an alternative to ice cream. This has done it! thanks!