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    Home » Recipes » Frozen Treats

    Chocolate Cherry Nice Cream (NO Banana!)

    Published: Apr 27, 2023 · Modified: Aug 15, 2023 by Lauren · This post may contain affiliate links · 12 Comments

    Jump to Recipe  ↓

    Chocolate Cherry Nice Cream - No bananas or dairy needed for this sweet and creamy blender ice cream. This makes a delicious and healthy treat, especially for kids!

    Chocolate ice cream with a cherry on top in a glass on a white plate.

    What is nice cream??

    Nice cream is a modern phrase used to describe a basic mixture of frozen bananas and some type of liquid (usually dairy-free) to create a healthier version of ice cream.

    It hit big back in the mid-2000s, with food bloggers creating any and every flavor imaginable!

    I've had a love/hate relationship with bananas (I love them, they hate me) for some time now, so I created this creamy and delicious chocolate cherry alternative, made without bananas!

    This is obviously not true ice cream by most people's perception. For our family, however, it's just as delicious and far 'healthier' than the alternative.

    Chocolate ice cream overflowing a glass with a pink spoon.

    How do you make nice cream without bananas?

    The key to this nice cream is avocado!

    Not only does it provide thickness, but the fat contributes to a rich and delicious texture that tastes luxurious in your mouth.

    In this recipe, I've paired the avocado with frozen cherries and cocoa powder for a chocolate cherry variation, but you could use a different berry if you like.

    Ingredients and substitutions

    • Various ingredients on a table, including cherries and cocoa powder.

    Avocado - This is the base of this recipe and what makes it rich and thick. Tofu may be an alternative, though I haven't tried it.

    Frozen cherries - I love a chocolate cherry combo, but frozen strawberries also work, if you prefer.

    Cocoa powder - Cacao works as well.

    Maple syrup - Maple is my favorite sweetener, but honey works as well. Honey has a more distinct taste, keep in mind.

    Milk - Any milk can work here; my personal favorite is this Coconut Milk.

    Vanilla and sea salt - Both contribute to flavor.

    Best blender for making nice cream

    Frozen cherries, cocoa powder, and milk in a blender.

    A high speed blender is crucial for this recipe, as it is so thick, and you need a blender with a powerful motor.

    Like many food bloggers and other kitchen professionals, my top choice is a Vitamix.

    I know it's pricey, but, honestly, it has been the BEST investment I've made, food-wise. The first one I bought refurbished, and the warranty allowed me to get two new pitchers throughout my years of owning it.

    We just bought our second one during Amazon's Christmas season, where it was nearly 50% off!

    My original one still works, but it had started to develop a few kinks. Knowing that I was close to the end of my warranty, I purchased the new one.

    Top down view of chocolate ice cream in a glass with a cherry on top.

    Recipe tips

    This recipe is modestly sweetened. You can add in a bit more maple or honey, or even a little stevia if you'd like it sweeter.

    Other ice cream recipes you might like

    Low Sugar Vanilla Ice Cream

    Paleo Chocolate Ice Cream

    Raw Ice Cream Sandwiches

    Chocolate ice cream with a cherry on top in a glass on a white plate.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 6 votes

    Chocolate Cherry Nice Cream

    Chocolate cherry ice cream made in your food processor...NO bananas needed!
    Prep Time5 minutes mins
    Cook Time0 minutes mins
    0 minutes mins
    Total Time5 minutes mins
    Course: Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Dairy-free, Ice cream, Nut-free
    Servings: 1 serving
    Calories: 348kcal
    Author: Lauren Goslin

    Ingredients

    • ½ avocado
    • 1 cup frozen cherries
    • 2 teaspoon raw honey or maple syrup
    • 1 Tablespoon cocoa powder
    • 4-5 Tablespoons milk of your choice as needed
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • dash sea salt

    Instructions

    • Blend until smooth and creamy (add a dash or two of stevia for extra sweetness).
    • Enjoy!

    Notes

    Nutrition facts based on using maple syrup and five tablespoons of unsweetened almond milk.
    Weight Watchers points: 14

    Nutrition

    Calories: 348kcal | Carbohydrates: 38.8g | Protein: 4.6g | Fat: 22.1g | Fiber: 11.1g | Sugar: 23g

    If you have a chance to try this recipe, please leave a star rating and a comment below letting me know how you liked it!

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    Filed Under: Frozen Treats

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Anya

      May 04, 2017 at 11:30 am

      LOVE that this has no bananas, as we're allergic here. Thank you, can't wait to try.

      Reply
    2. kimmythevegan

      May 11, 2016 at 4:54 pm

      Sounds like a decadent & delicious breakfast! I can't wait to try it out =)
      It's interesting how everything depends on perception and how everyone's perceptions are different. I find as I get older, I go more with the flow, which suits me better 😉

      Reply
    3. April J Harris (@apriljharris)

      May 03, 2016 at 4:04 am

      Perception is everything, that is very true. Love this delicious, healthy treat - what a great way to encourage your children to eat healthier foods! Thank you for sharing with us at the Hearth and Soul Hop. Sharing.

      Reply
    4. Andrea Wyckoff

      April 26, 2016 at 7:16 pm

      Your photos are so darling!! I want to dive right into this sundae. ? Love the idea of adding avocado too!

      Reply
    5. Thalia

      April 26, 2016 at 2:01 pm

      Love how healthy this ice-cream is. And I bet it is so delicious too! You can never go wrong with chocolate and cherries.

      Reply
    6. PeggyP

      April 26, 2016 at 1:44 pm

      Looks delish! Can't wait to try it. I might tonight since I just happen to have all the ingredients!

      Reply
    7. fitfoodiemama

      April 26, 2016 at 6:41 am

      Looks awesome! Love that this is banana free- thanks so much for sharing and linking up 🙂

      Reply
    8. Courtney's Cookbook

      April 25, 2016 at 1:48 pm

      Yum! I love the avocado in there-- I bet it makes it deliciously creamy! 🙂

      Reply
    9. Laura

      April 25, 2016 at 6:20 am

      My husband related a story from his co-worker that described how she made a new soup recipe from scratch and her grandkids really liked it. It involved opening a can of cream of mushroom soup and rotel, both of which I wouldn't consider 'from scratch.' But she did. Perception!

      I think this 'ice cream' looks great as a breakfast or for anytime. We are not cherry fans but I have other frozen fruit available.

      Do you finds your kids get 'ice cream' otherwise and think it tastes funny? Perhaps less an issue with allergies as they may not be exposed to other versions. When we eat outside of home, my daughters discover that other ice creams or granola bars or bread or whatever taste quite different than what they are used to. Trained taste buds.

      Reply
      • Lauren

        April 25, 2016 at 8:02 am

        First, haha to your 'made from scratch' story. That is a true testament to 'perception'!...and you're right about the allergies here. They've both tried regular ice cream, but we don't eat much outside our home because of allergies. Hopefully they don't go hog-wild when they're old enough to make decisions for themselves!

        Reply
    10. Dawn

      April 25, 2016 at 5:31 am

      YUM! going to make this since i have a very-ripened avocado awaiting (and frozen cherries).
      as for your comments on the 'perceptive people'...
      it's unfortunate that we see people's true heart now when they post online. they hide behind the screen.
      so many people are too PC and just plain, not happy. why argue?
      BE HAPPY! 😀

      Reply
      • Lauren

        April 25, 2016 at 8:03 am

        Thanks Dawn! Yes, a lot of people with cat avatars, huh? 🙂

        Reply

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    Hi there, I'm Lauren Goslin, and I've been a food blogger for over ten years. My goal with this blog is to show you healthy, lower sugar recipes that my family and I enjoy.

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