One of the things I miss most about being a kid is eating anything I wanted.
Though my mom wasn’t the best cook, she always tried to see to it that I ate healthfully.
Her dinners of Cornish hen, boiled potatoes, and peas were never the tastiest, but she did make a healthy dinner every night that consisted of at least one vegetable. She was also the only mom I knew making cookies out of whole wheat flour and honey, not that those were very good either, but I definitely appreciate her efforts today!
While my mom was a stickler for fruits and vegetables and eating healthfully, my dad was the one with whom I indulged.
My dad would come home for lunch every day, and he would often come bearing some type of delicious, albeit dastardly, fare from a nearby fast food restaurant.
Arby-Qs, Happy Meals, and submarine sandwiches were just a few of my favorites.
My dad and I also enjoyed visiting the local Dairy Queen after dinner some nights, where we partook of creamy, dreamy, artery-clogging confections, including Blizzards and ice cream sundaes.
Being a lover of ice cream sundaes (and not being able to eat them anymore), encouraged me to make my own version of the delicious treat!
To make my childhood vice healthy and allergy-friendly, I’ve layered raw brownie with mint chocolate chip avocado ‘ice cream’, and a hard chocolate candy shell in a mason jar (you could also use a regular glass).
I enjoy these with a dollop of coconut whipped cream and cacao nibs, and don’t miss the corn syrup-laden desserts one bit!
- RAW BROWNIE LAYER:
- 1/4 c. walnuts
- 1/4 c. oats or another nut or seed, if paleo
- 5 soft dates
- 1 1/2 T. cocoa powder
- 1/8 t. sea salt
- water as needed
- AVOCADO 'ICE CREAM' LAYER:
- 1 avocado
- 2 T. coconut oil melted
- 2 T. maple syrup
- 1/2 t. vanilla
- pinch sea salt
- 1/2 t. mint extract
- 2 T. chocolate chips or cacao nibs optional
- CHOCOLATE SHELL LAYER:
- 3 T. coconut oil melted
- 1 1/2 T. maple syrup
- 1 1/2 T. cocoa powder
- pinch sea salt
- 1/4 t. vanilla
- FOR THE BROWNIE LAYER:
- Process the walnuts and oats (if using) until broken down into a meal consistency.
- Add in the dates, cocoa, and salt, and process until combined.
- Add in a bit of water, if needed, to bring it all together.
- Divide the mix between four small mason jars or glasses.
- Press into the bottom of the jar.
- FOR THE 'ICE CREAM' LAYER:
- Process all of the ingredients until smooth (STIR in the chocolate chips, if using).
- Divide the mixture between the four glasses and pour atop the brownie layer.
- Set into the freezer until the ice cream is somewhat set (just enough so that it won't mix with the top layer).
- FOR THE CHOCOLATE SHELL:
- In a small bowl, mix the ingredients together until smooth and well combined.
- Divide the mixture between the four glasses and pour atop the ice cream layer.
- Place back into the freezer until the top chocolate shell is firm to the touch.
- Top with coconut whipped cream, cacao nibs, etc.
- Grab your spoons and enjoy!
Nutrition facts are based on NO chocolate chips in the ice cream layer. WW points (new system): 12
Though my tastes have definitely graduated a bit from then, I still have very fond memories of sitting with my dad and listening to his work woes or old baseball stories.
I often wonder what my dad would think of this blog and the recipes, and my hope is that he would have fervently tried each and every one, and that I might have taught him something about the culinary world.
What childhood memories do you most cherish? Do any of them involve a food you wouldn’t eat today?
Kim says
This was yummy! Perfect for a hot summer evening. I subbed pecans for walnuts, otherwise, followed recipe. The kids enjoyed it, except for my 5 year old who dislikes anything avacado – that layer was given away. 🙂 Thank you for a keeper recipe!
Lauren says
Thanks Kim, so happy you liked them! 🙂
Lisa | Mummy Made.It says
These look great! I remember being a kid and not caring about ice-cream on the hips or intolerances…the good ol’ days!!
Gabby @ the veggie nook says
Oh wow this is beautiful! I immediately with I had all the ingredients so I could rush to my kitchen to make it! Sadly, the prospect of moving in 10 days has me on a strict “no doing groceries, eat only what you have policy”. You can bet I’ll be making this soon though!
Lauren says
Hi Gabby! 🙂 So good to ‘hear’ from you, girl. Good luck with moving! It can be a pain, but once everything is done, it’s such a great feeling. 🙂
Mike@TheIronYou says
Family dynamics are so fun, yet complicated and difficult to navigate.
Both my parents were health nuts but on occasion they would treat me to Mac Donald’s, Pizza Hut, DD, Dairy Queen. We would sit down and they said I could order whatever I wanted, but I was feeling so guilty (I still don’t know why) I would end up ordering just a salad.
After I turned 12 my father would gave me a 20 dollar bill and say “Go buy yourself some junk food with your friends and enjoy it”
I felt so independent, I was in awe
Any-hoo, that raw ice-cream looks fantastic; you are officially the Non-Dairy Queen! 😉
Lauren says
Haha, your dad sounds like a cool guy…and what a good kid you were! I would NOT have been as conscientious about health before my twenties! 🙂
Isadora says
My mom was a huge health nut growing up too! I now know that she had the best intentions, but when I was a kid all I wanted to do was eat McDonalds! Thankfully I don’t have that urge these days! I am always so impressed with your desserts! This one looks amazing and so healthy!
Lauren says
Thanks so much Izzy! That’s cool about your mom, I have a feeling we might have quite a bit in common. 😀
Wendy says
Summer is the perfect time for ice cream! I can’t wait to try these sundaes with my boys!
Lauren says
Thanks Wendy! It’s definitely fun to enjoy cold treats when it’s hot out. 🙂