summer journal: banana ice cream
July 17th, 2012
I could have called this post, Sugar Free! Grain Free! Gluten Free! Vegan! All Natural! Possibly Organic! Ice Cream! Because this ice cream is actually all of those things. If you take all the exclamation points away though this ice cream is frozen bananas in your blender. And frozen bananas in your blender makes some seriously awesome ice cream! Damn another exclamation point snuck in there.
Banana ice cream is so dead easy, you really don’t need a recipe, but this is how it goes. Peel a banana (or 10), cut it (or don’t), put it in the freezer. Then go about your day. When you remember there are bananas in your freezer, take them out and put them in your food processor (or blender). Push the button. 5 minutes later you will have something very much like ice cream. You can also add a few tablespoons of peanut butter–which is delicious–or a handful of frozen berries, or really anything your little heart desires: chopped nuts, chocolate chips, pretzels, granola.
Every time we make it (and we make it a lot) it’s different. Last night we mixed in almond butter and made some Magic Shell to go on top. Do you remember magic shell? I was crazy for the stuff when I was a kid. I don’t know how I got my mother to buy it–I must have somehow snuck it into our grocery cart. It seems odd and chemically and not at all natural, right? Actually you can make it with two things: chocolate and coconut oil. I melted a bar of dark chocolate, which is about 4 oz, and added 2 tablespoons coconut oil. Mix until everything is smooth and melty. You are now the most awesome mom in the world (until you tell them it’s time for bed).
One more thing: don’t store your magic shell in the fridge or it will magically turn hard as a rock.
I keep reading about this but have never tried it. After seeing all those exclamation points, I feel like I have to, now! Right now!
‘Magic shell’ will return to melty goodness with a few seconds in the micro.
Also, in the realm of summer journal, it appears that nothing beats a full family waterfight to boost appetites and make kids suddenly find fish and greens delicious. Especially with the promise of ice cream with magic sauce to follow.
You are the best mom ever- you’re whole summer journal of activities sounds so fun! Will most definitely be making this ice cream!
I’m sold! My kids have been on a banana hiatus for a few weeks…think I’ll introduce them back to them in the form of ice cream. I mean, it’s not like they can take one bite of this and hide it behind the couch pillows, right?
Ah, Magic Shell…. I remember it well….
Thanks for the recipe and trip down childhood memory lane. :-)
That sounds awesome! I just made something similar: with frozen peaches and frozen raspberries, adding in a little sugar, lemon juice and a teeny bit of almond flavoring. Then you get to call it sorbet and serve it to adults., who will be very impressed.
Mmm. That choc/banana combo is a winner!
banana icecream is popular at our place too ( here it is called daddy-o-ice-cream as Dad makes it).
But that chocolate topping is ace and I’m wanting some for myself….I loved it as a kid, never even thought of making it!
Oh my goodness, I loved Magic Shell when I was a kid. I’m trying this today. Thank you!!
I have a freezer full of bananas and we will be making this TODAY. Thanks for sharing this yummy idea! : )
thanks for the magic shell tip. been there and done that, too. another wonderfully fresh recipe! thank you!
i was just making one of my kids’ go-to smoothies (for myself!) and was reminded of your post here. for 5 years now, we’ve made a protein rich smoothie from 1 banana, a heaping Tbsp. of almond butter, 1/2 to 1 cup almond milk, and a healthy couple dashes of cinnamon. it’s a beloved (and quite healthy) treat made even better when we remember to freeze the bananas. so, i just wanted to share it with you b/c i think you’d find it familiar to your “ice cream” but maybe more like a banana “milkshake” with lots of healthy protein t’boot!
That looks delicious! I’m totally whipping up some magic shell. I’ve always got chocolate and coconut oil in the house
Yummy (!!!)
omg that looks sooooo yummie
Thanks for this post! We did this tonight after dinner with a handful of blueberries and it was delish!
That is so AWESOME! I would add a ridiculous amount of exclamation points, but that would seem redundant. May I pin it on pinterest? Just learned that you need to ask permission now. And I haven’t figured out how to do that without the super easy pin it button, however this post has inspired me to do so. AWESOME TO THE MAXX!!!!!
Amazingly simple! I can’t wait to try this recipe!
It’s already cold here but i’ll give this a try this afternoon… sounds eazy and looks great. Thanks for sharing.