Chocolate Cacao Nib Nice Cream

Frozen Bananas whirled around with chocolate to create a silky smooth and creamy indulgent dream…..

Do you ever get cravings? Chocolate cravings?

Sometimes, I just want chocolate ice cream. Scratch that – sometimes I just NEED chocolate ice cream.

If you love ice cream as much as I do, you know very well that plant-based ice cream is very expensive to purchase. It’s also not very “plant-based” AKA healthy. Again, scratch that – what ice cream is actually healthy?

This version is somewhat healthy. Other than the maple syrup, which can be reduced or omitted, if you choose, it only contains the most wholesome and truly plant-based ingredients. I like to use cacao powder and cacao nibs since they are less processed. But then again, I did add maple syrup. How I adore maple syrup. It completely balances the bitter cacao, which makes this nice cream all the more indulgent – by that, I mean rich and creamy. This nice cream is a wholly satisfying decadent treat when you simply need chocolate ice cream.

A not-so-guilty pleasure. Thick, smooth, creamy, and very chocolatey.

Ingredients

• 3 cups frozen banana cubes
• 1/2 cup -2/3 cup almond milk
• 1/4 cup maple syrup or date syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 cup cacao powder
• 1 T cacao nibs

Instructions

1. Place all ingredients in a high-powdered blender (Vitamix)
2. Place the lid on top and turn the power switch on.
3. Quickly increase speed to high. It may start yelling at you. And that’s okay.
4. Keeping lid securely fastened, use the tamper to ensure all the bananas are included.
5. When the nice cream is smooth and creamy, turn the power switch to off.
6. Pour into serving dishes and serve immediately.

Notes

This nice cream is more reminiscent of a soft serve ice cream. If you prefer a firmer consistency, simply place the nice cream in an ice cream maker for 10-20 minutes. Alternatively, you can pour your nice cream into a parchment-lined freezer-proof container. Then place it in the freezer for 1-2 hours, or until the desired firmness is achieved. Be careful though. This will freeze rock hard if it remains in the freezer too long. Speaking of which, this nice cream keeps extremely well in the freezer. So you can definitely make a batch or two up and freeze it for later. Just let the nice cream thaw for about 15 minutes before trying to scoop it out.

Topping options are endless!! Whatever your heart fancies! Fresh fruit, more cacao nibs, chopped nuts, chocolate chips, coconut, chocolate syrup, sprinkles, and more!

You want a milkshake? No problem! Simply add an additional 1/2 cup of almond milk to make a deliciously creamy and chocolatey milkshake. Bottoms up!!

This recipe was adapted from Healthy Chocolate Nice Cream by Fit Foodie Finds. This recipe version includes more frozen banana chunks and unsweetened almond milk, as well as the addition of cacao nibs and maple syrup. It results in a much smoother and creamier consistency. And my Vitamix doesn’t swear at me so much when I add more almond milk. Enjoy!!

I get my cacao powder and cacao nibs through Amazon’s Subscribe and Save since I don’t live close to a grocery store that carries these at a reasonable price. Click on the links if you’d like to check them out for yourself. I am not affiliated with either of these products and do not receive anything for recommending these products. I have ordered the nibs at least seven times though and love them!

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