What’s better than ice cream?
Chocolate ice cream…melting…liquid, milky edges with soft bites of creamy, sweet, cold goodness…
My husband and I moved into a new house this last week, and many of my meals were made in the blender, either on the go or in the mad frenzy of cleaning and packing.
What a treat I found in this recipe! Trying to pack in some nutrients, I put it all in the blender, adding the ice as an afterthought, since I like my shakes cold and slushy, and it came out just like the title professes. Only healthy.
- 1 c. milk of choice
- 1 large frozen banana
- 1 T. cocoa or carob powder
- 1 T. raw almond butter
- ½ t. vanilla
- 2 T. maple syrup or 12-15 drops liquid stevia
- 7 ice cube tray ice cubes (about 1 cup)
- Blend everything except the ice until well combined.
- Add the ice in, and blend just until incorporated (no big chunks).
- Enjoy with a spoon!
I used my bean milk that I made using black beans. It makes it so thick and creamy!
I love using raw carob powder, especially with my daughters since it has NO caffeine. It also pairs really well with stevia.
If you aren’t typically a fan of carob, I urge you to try the raw version. It has a much milder taste with what I would describe as caramel undertones. In other words, it’s the cat’s meow.
This recipe makes about two cups which comes out to 265 calories. If you were to eat two cups of regular chocolate ice cream, you’d be consuming over DOUBLE that amount. I’d say that’s a pretty sweet trade!
All you green monster fanatics may wish to soil this with a handful or two of your dastardly spinach, but, I beg of you, treat yourself just this once. I promise, it’s still healthy. 😀
What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?
Is Butterfinger a flavor? 🙂
Shared with: Healthy Vegan Friday, Wellness Weekend, Gluten-Free Friday
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aine mcgarry
Hello Lauren,
I have just discovered your webpage and this awesome recipe…..I made it today…..it is absolutley devine….
But i couldnt get it to make a creamier, thicker mixture….any tips? I am using full fat milk.
🙂
Lauren
Hi Aine,
I’m happy you enjoyed the ice cream! If you tolerate dairy, you could try using half and half or cream? Also, full fat coconut milk would be a dairy-free option. 🙂
Shaun Hoobler
Hi Lauren – this good great. I think the addition of bean milk is very interesting. Also, as a new reader of your blog I though I’d just leave a quick comment here to say I’ve been reading a few posts and enjoying them very much. Thanks! Shaun
Lauren
Thanks Shaun! I’m so glad you’re enjoying it! 😀
Cindy (Vegetarian Mamma)
Oh, this does look like a fantasy! YUM Thanks for linking up at our Gluten Free Fridays party! I have tweeted and pinned your entry to our Gluten Free Fridays board on Pinterest! 🙂
Hope that your week is fantastic!
Cindy from vegetarianmamma.com
GiGi Eats Celebrities
A WONDERFUL replacement to the CRAP I talk about on my blog this week! 😀
Gabby @ the veggie nook
Haha you caught me, I would totally be tempted to add spinach to this 😉
Matt @ The Athlete's Plate
The weather has been calling for one of these 🙂
Monica
This definitely looks like my kind of fantasy dessert! So delicious. I’ll have to try this out! (:
Heather @Gluten-Free Cat
Happy unpacking! Blender meals are such a blessing in the midst of busy times. And to think that you created such an inspired meal in the midst of the chaos…wow! This looks like the perfect pre-workout meal for tomorrow. I teach a spin class Saturday mornings to an INTENSE crowd, so this smoothie is going to fuel me well!
Michelle @ Eat Move Balance
Congrats on moving into your new house! So exciting!
My favorite ice cream flavor is vanilla bean!
Davida @The Healthy Maven
Yum! This looks amazing. I know what i’ll be having for dessert tonight! Hope you had an easy move
Lauren
Thanks Davida! I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Heather
I hadn’t thought of a smoothie as an icecream substitute. Great idea.
Vicky
Hi! I love the name of this wonderful concoction! It looks delicious!
Lauren
Thanks Vicky! Would you believe it took me about an hour to decide on it? 🙂
Mary Frances @ The Sweet Tooth Life
Uh yes, butterfinger is definitely a flavor! I’m more of a brownie cheesecake OR strawberry (depends on the mood;) myself, but butterfinger sounds pretty good. This looks really good, too, and the title us do creative and a lot more accurate and appealing than the names of variations I’ve seen.
Lauren
Thank you Mary Frances! Haha, it took me a while to figure out what I was going to call it, but I knew I didn’t want it to be ‘Chocolate Banana Smoothie’….especially with the fact that it really does taste like melted chocolate ice cream!