Let’s get real for a sec. Ever since January, I’ve been eating dessert every single day. I had the best excuse in the world—I was writing my cookbook and developing all the miniature desserts for you! But, um, it’s not a lifestyle. It’s a habit.
True life: I’ve been sugar detoxing. Oh my god. Have you ever done this? I’ve been plagued with bitchiness, headaches, and fierce cravings for very specific candy: those orange slices coated in sugar, lemon jolly ranchers (they make an entire bag of them now!), and pretty much any type of candy imported from Asia. Oh, and YELLOW GUMMY BEARS ONLY. The red and green gummy bears can go to hell. See what I mean? Sugar makes you crazy happy, and without it, just plain crazy.
So, while we’re waiting for the withdrawals to subside, we’re doing sugar-free / naturally-sweetened desserts all week! Are you ready? Do you have your Medjools handy? Kidding (kind of).
First, we’re starting with ice cream. Just because we’re not slurping sugar, doesn’t mean we can’t have a creamy frozen treat! I know I’m the last person in the world to share this recipe for raw banana ice cream, but just in case you haven’t heard of the magic that is frozen bananas in a food processor, I’m here to increase the quality of your life.
Slice and freeze 4 bananas. Puree in a food processor with a splash of coconut cream. Don’t stop until it’s creamy and fluffy…like real ice cream.
You’re most likely going to eat this right out of the food processor (mind the blade!) because you can’t believe that you just made ice cream out of fruit. But, if you have the patience to scoop and top with chocolate sauce and pistachios, you’ll fall in love all over again. You will have visions of eating healthy for the rest of your life, because all you truly need in life is this guilt-free ice cream. Suddenly, a 5k doesn’t sound so bad. A 90-minute hot yoga class sounds like a great way to spend an afternoon. This banana ice cream is a slippery slope. Don’t let it control your mind.
Guiltless Banana Ice Cream
Ingredients
Optional toppings:
Instructions
Maryea {happy healthy mama} says
“This banana ice cream is a slippery slope. Don’t let it control your mind.” haha–too late for that! ;-) Next time, add peanut butter. It’s heaven.
they called it the diamond blog says
Well this sounds really good. I’m currently kicking caffeine, hopefully for good(!) for the same reason as your sugar detox; when I don’t have it I get super bad headaches, moodswings and generally don’t like myself very much. Good luck on the sugar detox, here’s to making it a more frequent thing with healthy desserts like this!
Lindsey @ American Heritage COoking says
I feel for you – sugar detoxes are awful. Just awful. I’m not sure why I haven’t tried banana “ice cream” – it’s been on my list forever!
Erin | The Law Student's Wife says
And I just dove into a moving box and found the food processor. We already have frozen bananas (which, yes, I packed in a cooler and hauled with me–I’m nuts) so this is happening tonight!
julia says
bahahaha! All the yellow gummy bears! Sugar detoxes are a major pain in the ass….it’ll go away soon, I promise. In the meantime, either hideaway in your house away from all the peoples, or walk around with a sign that says “forgive me for the things I say while I’m detoxing” < – I think I need to make a shirt that says that….I'm 200% going to make a shirt that says that.
Anyhoo…banana ice cream. I freaking loves! I used to make it in the ex bf's Vitamix before we parted ways…being torn from that Vitamix was one of the most traumatizing parts of the breakup…did I just say that? I reckon I did.
Cindy says
Too funny!
Amanda says
Banana ice cream is so good and guiltless! Definitely craving this now :)
Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health says
this banana icecream has seriously changed my life…i didnt add coconut cream before but now I am tempted to try it this way..good luck with sugar detox.
Liz @ Floating Kitchen says
Slippery slop my friend. You’re going to be doing an Iron Man before you know it! Ha ha! Actually I am the last person on the planet who has not tried this. I keep seeing it and saying “oh yeah I gotta do this”. But then something else always comes along. Ack. But I’m totally gonna do it this time! XO
Angelyn @ Everyday Desserts says
Unfortunately, I’m sort of trying to cut sugar out of my diet too. Thanks for this recipe – it looks perfect!!
Jessica L. says
HA! I had a friend visiting for the weekend and we definitely overdid it on the bourbon and amazing food, so last night I signed up for a week full of hot yoga. I need a detox badly.
Mariana @The Candid Kitchen says
Oh few, when you said you cut off sugar my heart stopped! WHO HAS THE STRENGTH? I like natural sugars ;)
Jen @ Marshmallows and Margaritas says
We tried Whole30 at the beginning of August and I made it 10 days before falling off the wagon… in part because I had a headache for literally the entire 10 days, and no amount of migraine medicine/Advil/etc would help! Sugar detoxing is some serious business. We need to start again, though, because I am a slave to Red Vines, sugar-covered orange slices and gummy bears.
I haven’t tried the frozen banana ice cream with coconut cream, but it sounds (and looks) even better than plain bananas. Will definitely try it soon!
Zainab says
Ahem…this is how we sugar detox? Yeah sure I am IN!!!
Emily of Sugar Plum says
I have made this before but I will have to try adding the coconut cream. I bet it makes it super creamy and delicious.
Lori @ RecipeGirl says
This is my kind of dessert! So awesome!
Heather || Heather's Dish says
OK so I’ve heard of (and tried!) to do banana ice cream before but never with a splash of coconut cream. That makes all the difference! Definitely hitting the store for some of that goodness tomorrow…
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. says
This is one of my favorite treats to make too! Sometimes I like adding in a scoop of Nutella, which totally defeats the purpose of trying to cut down on sugar, lol!
Sharde @ the lawful kitchen says
I’m sugar detoxing this week as well! It is necessary after a trip to the Minnesota State Fair. This banana ice cream may have to happen this week!
Christina Lane says
Let’s do this together! I’m scared. I cheated and had a honey-lavender latte yesterday. But I’m back on track today with hot lemon water!
Kristen says
Oh I love this kind of ice cream but usually end up adding bad for you things into it!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
Ice cream with NO guilt? I am alll about this! I would even like to be right inside that bowl of goodness. Pinned!
Rachel @ baked by rachel says
Love that first shot! Gorgeous!!
Chelsea @chelseasmessyapron says
I love banana ice cream – and its the perfect sugar detox without even feeling like a detox :) Gorgeous photos!!
Cheryl says
Love the addition of coconut cream here – makes it look a little more ice creamy and a little less soft servey. Definitely making. Oh, and the sugar detox? The pain is REAL. The sad thing is.. eat some sugary dessert and your body will be like WTF and it all starts again! Can’t we just come out with a healthy sugar-free powered sugar substitute already.. that tastes and acts like sugar?! WE HAVE WATER JETPACKS FOR CHRISSAKE
Christina Lane says
SRSLY! I bought some ‘all natural’ sugar substitutes the other day. Um, they taste like chemicals! Ick!
taylor @ greens & chocolate says
I just did 3 weeks of sugar free…it was a bitch but great to get off the habit of having dessert every. single. night. Never tried the banana ice cream though…giving it a shot tonight!
Julia says
I love banana anything!! This looks awesome.
Ceara @ Ceara's Kitchen says
So happy I stumbled across your blog (It is gorgeous – I am a sucker for anything glittery gold!). I love banana ice cream and imagine with the addition of coconut cream it would taste divine :) I imagine after hot yoga this would make the perfect treat! Banana ice cream is one of my favorite post-run eats during the hot summer! Pinned!
ami@naivecookcooks says
Making it super soon!!
Danae @ recipe runner says
Banana ice cream is my saving grace when I’m trying to sugar detox. Without it I’m a hangry, moody, crazy lady!
Debra @ Worth Cooking says
Can you store in the freezer (Perhaps thawing a few minutes before slicing)? Or is it a make it then it it kind of thing?
Christina Lane says
You could..but it starts to darken a bit. I wouldn’t store it more than a couple hours. Happy eating :)
Audrina says
Wow, this sounds so good! The splash of coconut cream is perfect, never thought to add it. Definitely trying out soon, thanks for the recipe!
http://mindfullyaudrina.blogspot.com/
Chris reuscher says
What might I be able to sub for the coconut cream? Love bananas but not a big fan of coconut! Thanks!
Christina Lane says
Hi Chris! How about milk? But really, it’s not even necessary. Most recipes for this raw banana ice cream don’t require anything but frozen bananas. Ooh, what about peanut butter? ;)
Happy baking,
Christina
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
Ohmygosh you poor thing! I don’t know if I could handle that! Althouuugh I do enjoy the banana “ice cream”-and yours looks FAB!
Amanda says
What a fun recipe! I love it!
Stephie @ Stephie Cooks says
1.) I am a bad friend and haven’t read anyone’s blogs in a million weeks. I missed your site. Please still love me.
2.) I originally read “Puree in a food processor with a splash of coconut cream” as “Puree in a food processor with a splash of coconut RUM” and thought, “I thought she was detoxing?”
3.) OMIGAWD I AGREED TO RUN A 5K TODAY WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME.
That’s all.
Lexi @ lexi's clean kitchen says
Such a game-changer! Love it.
Ali Grace says
My mom and I were just talking about this!! Such a great idea, and I’m just said I didn’t know about it sooner. And sugar detox? Mad respect. I know I need one for sure.
Lorraine (bunny) says
Sounds delightful
Lorraine (bunny) says
Mmm good thank ypu
Judy says
I make a version of this ALL the time! I use vanilla almond milk and chocolate almond butter.
It tastes like chocolate (banana) ice cream! I love it!
Christina Lane says
That sounds scrumptious, Judy! :)
Empress says
I added Brazil Nut butter to the ???????? mix and topped it with Agave nectar marinated ????????????’s…. talk about goodness? #TummyYummiNess!/
Lindsey says
I can’t get over how good this is! Just made it and my 3 year old loves it too!
Justine says
I just made it and…it changed my life forever now. This is genius and wonderful and deliciouuuusss!
Michelle says
GIRLLLLLL- I was thinking about getting one of those frozen fruit “ice cream” machine devices. Never occurred to me to use a food processor- DUH!! Oh, and I also have a Vitamix. I am a kitchen gadget ho, LOL. Totally gonna do this! And save another $100 in the meantime!