The Magic of Banana 'Nice' Cream
If you haven't heard of 'nice' cream, you're in for a treat. The concept is simple: blend frozen bananas until they transform into a creamy, soft-serve-like dessert. The magic lies in the high pectin content of bananas, which creates a smooth texture
without the need for dairy or an ice cream maker. The key is to use ripe bananas—the ones with a few brown spots—as they offer the most natural sweetness. Simply peel and slice a few ripe bananas, freeze them for at least a few hours, and then blend in a food processor or high-powered blender until creamy. For a classic flavour, add a splash of vanilla. For a chocolate version, add a tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder. A spoonful of peanut butter is also a delicious addition. It’s a versatile base that can be enjoyed immediately or frozen for a firmer scoop later.
Dreamy Avocado and Coconut
Avocado in ice cream might sound unusual, but its high-fat content and subtle flavour create an incredibly rich and creamy base. When blended with full-fat coconut milk, it produces a decadent, dairy-free dessert that’s hard to beat. To make it, you'll need ripe avocados, canned full-fat coconut milk (use the solidified cream part for extra richness), and a natural sweetener like maple syrup or agave. A squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice is crucial, as it prevents the avocado from browning and adds a bright note that cuts through the richness. Simply combine all ingredients in a blender until perfectly smooth. You can churn this mixture in an ice cream maker or use the no-churn method: pour it into a freezer-safe container, like a loaf pan, and freeze for at least four hours. For an extra flavour dimension, consider adding fresh mint leaves for a refreshing twist.
Vibrant Mixed Berry Sorbet
For a purely fruit-based dessert that screams summer, a mixed berry sorbet is the perfect choice. Using frozen berries like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries provides an intense flavour and a beautiful, vibrant colour. The natural sweetness and tartness of the berries mean you need very little, if any, added sweetener. This recipe relies on the simplicity of whole fruits. A great combination is frozen banana, frozen strawberries, and frozen blueberries. Place the frozen fruit in a food processor and blend until it breaks down into a crumbly texture, then continue blending until it becomes smooth and creamy. If the mixture is too thick, a splash of plant-based milk or water can help it along. For an extra layer of flavour, a dash of vanilla extract or a pinch of sea salt can enhance the fruit's natural sweetness. Enjoy it right away as a soft sorbet.
Classic Vanilla Sweetened with Dates
Sometimes only classic vanilla will do. You can achieve that nostalgic flavour without refined sugar by using dates. Medjool dates, when soaked and blended, create a smooth, caramel-like paste that serves as a fantastic natural sweetener. A popular dairy-free base for this recipe uses two cans of full-fat coconut milk. First, soak pitted dates in warm water for about five to ten minutes to soften them, then drain. In a blender, combine the soaked dates, coconut milk, a generous splash of pure vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth, with no date chunks remaining. From here, churn the mixture in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's directions. The result is a rich and creamy vanilla ice cream with complex, caramel undertones from the dates. Let it firm up in the freezer for a few hours for a scoopable consistency.
