Banana-based ice cream may be the original nice cream, but the term has come to represent any fruit-based, dairy-free treat free from artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, and added sugar.
My first experience with “nice” ice cream was many years ago on a vacation in Hawaii. The hotel served some type of magical dairy-free pineapple soft-serve, and I couldn’t for the life of me figure out how they made it.
It wasn’t until a few years ago, when I tried out a “nice cream”, that I was reminded of the dreamy soft-serve. In went a frozen banana and chopped frozen pineapple, and out came shockingly creamy soft-serve – immediately transporting me back to the beaches of Hawaii. I was hooked, and I wasn’t alone. In recent years, fruit-based ice cream has taken the health food world by storm.
Banana ice cream, also referred to as “nice cream,” is a super simple, plant-based and sugar-free version of ice cream by blitzing pieces of frozen bananas. It results in a rich, creamy and luscious soft serve, that you can use for any occasion.
Nice cream has become very popular among the healthy eating community, because it’s very quick and easy to make, doesn’t require sophisticated equipment, and a healthier alternative to traditional ice cream. Can you believe ice-cream can be healthy too? Yes, plant-based ice “nice-cream” is a wonderful healthy yet delicious ice cream alternative. This is absolutely guilt-free indulging to have. Super easy, 4 ingredients and 5-minutes nice-cream recipe you will love.
It’s called ‘nice cream’ rather than ice cream, just to differentiate the two. Nice cream is a super easy, take on traditional ice cream, yet made very differently.
You can satisfy an ice cream craving guilt-free with this “nice cream“! Seems so simple, that it feels like you are cheating a bit… but to be honest – it’s delectable stuff. And let’s face it, why make it complicated when something this simple can taste insanely delightful! Once you start making nice cream, you will stop buying store bought ice cream, the creaminess it has is nothing less than any ice cream and the plus point is, it is absolutely healthy!
Why is it so “nice” you ask? Because…it’s mostly made from bananas. Can’t argue with that. Nature’s natural sweetness comes alive with cinnamon, coconut and drippy-drizzled-almond-butter as a topping.
It’s nice to the health-conscious consumer and nice to ME…an overwhelmed “can I really stick with this healthy eating plan for longer than a day” kind of person.
This recipe is as simple as it gets. Freeze a few bananas, then blitz them up with coconut milk and a pinch of cinnamon and botta bing, botta boom…“nice cream” is born.
With just a few simple ingredients, you can make a healthy ice cream that is a fun recipe that everyone loves. The best part is that it is nutritious, made with real food ingredients and seriously better than anything store bought.
Cinnamon Coconut Protein Nice Cream
Ingredients
- 4 bananas, sliced, frozen
- 1/2 can coconut cream or full-fat coconut milk
- 1/4 cup protein or collagen peptides powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Toppings Optional
- Coconut shreds
- Cashew pieces, crushed
- Drizzle of almond butter
Instructions
- Peel, slice and freeze the bananas until solid.In a powerful food processor or blender, blend bananas, coconut cream, protein powder and cinnamon.For a soft-serve consistency, serve immediately, or pour into a 7 x 5-inch loaf pan or medium Tupperware and freeze until solid. Microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute before serving or leave out for 10 minutes to soften from frozen.Top with desired toppings before eating.
If you are looking for more delicious, healthy, protein-rich, no bake desserts and treats to help you reach your health, wellness and fitness goals, you will love my collection here: Blended Bites
