I saw this recipe for Cherry Garcia Ice Cream and just had to give it a go, I’d already prepped my banana and cherries by chopping them up and popping them in the freezer. I did this the day before and I would recommend making sure that they are properly frozen to make sure you get a decent texture to the ice cream. The banana will keep in the freezer for months so stock up now!!

I’ve thought about trying this with strawberries, but I’m pretty sure the water content of the fruit will make it a lot more like a milkshake as opposed to an ice cream style dessert, but I wouldn’t mind trying it, I like strawberry milkshakes (non dairy of course!!) if it doesn’t quite work out.

I’ve also got 3/4 of a can of coconut milk left in the fridge and I have a little idea for another dessert… but I shall see how it turns out first before I share!!

I have a seriously husky voice at the moment, we went out on Saturday night and there was live music and I couldn’t help but sing along, I think I may have been singing a little louder and enthusiastically than I initially thought… my apologies to anyone sitting near me, I genuinely CAN’T sing, but if I think the music is loud enough to drown me out… well I give it my all!

Cherry and Chocolate Chip Soft Serve Ice Cream (Vegan & Gluten Free)

Serves 4 – ready right away as long as you’ve already frozen your banana and cherries in advance

4 medium ripe bananas (use bananas that have brown spots on the skin) peeled, chopped and frozen for 4 hours or more

2 cups of fresh cherries, de-stoned, chopped and frozen for 3 hours or more

2 tbsp canned coconut milk (try to use the cream from the top of the can)

2 tsp vanilla extract (in hindsight I would add another 1 tsp here, but you can check and see if you are happy with it)

3 tbsp vegan dark chocolate chips

Method

1. Add the banana, 3/4 of the cherries and coconut milk to a food blender, or use a stick blender like me and blitz until smooth, then add the remaining 1/4 cup of cherries the vanilla extract and chocolate chips and fold this through your mixture. Do a quick taste test and add more vanilla if necessary.

2. Serve immediately in chilled bowls and sprinkle over a few more chocolate chips.

** You could swap the vanilla for almond extract, this would go lovely with the cherries, like a bakewell ice cream…ooooh yummy!

Original recipe here at the simple veganista