A recent study found that America’s favorite dessert is beloved, creamy, dreamy ice cream. Taking it one step further, this Yahoo study also found the overall favorite ice cream flavor to be chocolate… and I for one cannot argue these findings. 
Fro yo, protein ice cream, banana “nice” cream, gelato, soft serve, the regular real thing – I love it all.
Last week I was surprised with not one, but two birthday ice cream cakes (along with a chocolate cake as well as a slice of cheesecake – all on separate occasions with different family members and friends!), both of which I enjoyed a piece of. Clearly I indulge in the real thing sometimes, but then there are lots of times when I want a frozen treat, but I also want it to be nice and healthy…and that’s when my food processor comes into play.
I keep seeing so many bloggers sharing healthy, delicious looking ice cream recipes using an ice cream maker, and I get a little sad because I don’t (yet) own one myself. So instead, I figure out frozen treat concoctions to make at home using just my food processor, like this dark chocolate cherry “nice” cream…
This healthy “nice” cream recipe is made by first combining banana, cocoa powder, stevia, almond butter, chocolate protein powder, and chocolate soy milk in the food processor. The protein powder is optional, but it kicks it up a notch nutritionally. The nutrition content comes out to a great balance of carbs, fat and protein. With 22 grams of protein & 9 grams of dietary fiber with the brands I use, I’d definitely eat this as a post-workout meal!
Once the “nice” cream is smooth, I add in halved dark sweet cherries and chopped dark chocolate, then pulse a few times to combine it into the mixture. I pop my “nice” cream into the freezer for at least an hour to harden up, then spoon it into a bowl, and voila! – a homemade, vegan, healthy ice cream treat.
Chocolate Covered Cherry "Nice" Cream
Ingredients
- 1 banana
- 1 TBSP cocoa powder
- 1 g stevia sweetener packet
- 1 TBSP almond butter
- 1/2 scoop plant-based chocolate protein powder (optional)
- 1/2 cup chocolate soy milk any other kind of milk works too
- 1/2 cup dark sweet cherries pitted and halved
- 1/2 oz dark chocolate roughly chopped
Instructions
- In a food processor, combine the banana, cocoa powder, stevia, almond butter, protein powder and milk. Pulse until smooth.
- Add in cherries and dark chocolate, and pulse a few times until combined but still chunky.
- Transfer to the freezer, and leave for at least an hour to harden.*
- Spoon into a bowl and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Tell me… What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?
My favorite depends on the day – though mint chocolate chip and cookie dough are always high on my list!
YUM! I love this! …and I can totally agree with that study! Sadly I had to give up dairy about 6 month ago because of some stomach issues, but don’t worry! I still get my ice cream fix with coconut milk ice cream! It’s DELICIOUS… but EXPENSIVE! So when I get home I definitely want to make some banana ice cream! This looks super yummy! …and I love how versatile it is! 🙂 Thanks for the recipe!
Hey, nondairy ice cream can still be delicious! Thanks Cailee!
Woot for nice cream! I definitely eat the real thing occasionally but I love a nice and healthier treat for my normal routine! haha I like dessert 🙂 This sounds so good with the chocolate cherry combo!
You and me both lady! Can we just meet in real life yet? I feel like we would have a blast together!
I love nice cream and I love cherries. Why have I never thought to put the 2 together? I am trying this at the weekend 🙂
I hope that you tried it!! SO good.
omg this looks so yummy! Thanks for sharing the recipe!! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by, Nellie!
I always turn my daily post-workout smoothie into ice cream – it’s so much more satisfying. And chocolate is the best… unless I’m at some fancy ice cream shop and then I’ll get something like an Elvis or Bourbon thing. 🙂
Agreed, a smoothie in a bowl is a lot more satisfying. A few weeks ago I was eating a smoothie bowl and my brother was like, “What is that? It just looks like a smoothie in a bowl…” HA, yup pretty much!! Is it safe to say that you love Elvis everything?!
I need to get chocolate protein powder! It’s on my to-do list for sure. I never thought I liked chocolate/cherry ice cream until I tried the Ben and Jerry’s kind…then I was hooked! I think I like cherry ice cream with chocolate in it more though. But hey, I don’t discriminate! And you totally made this nutrition-packed creation look like a treat. Love it! Have a great weekend!
Chocolate protein powder is a staple in my house… love it! Since I love healthy meals that taste like dessert, I turn everything into chocolate something or other with chocolate protein powder + cocoa powder. 😉