If you’re here, you’re probably looking for a quick, delicious, and, let’s admit it, slightly less caloric solution than traditional homemade ice cream. Well, you’re in the right place! Today I’ll reveal the secret to making a dessert that “looks like ice cream, tastes like ice cream, but is not traditional ice cream”. Let’s call it “nice cream”, and the result is guaranteed: a creamy and refreshing delight that will make you say goodbye (for a while) to the ice cream parlor down the street.
Forget about bulky ice cream makers and churning processes worthy of a university degree. For this recipe, you’ll need just two basic ingredients and your trusty culinary adventure partner: a powerful blender like a Vitamix or another robust food processor, or your Monsieur Cuisine Smart. Yes, indeed, the tool that turns laziness into genius in the kitchen.
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Very Cheap
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 4 People
- Cooking methods: No Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Summer
Ingredients
- 10.5 oz bananas (ripe, frozen)
- 3/4 cup milk (frozen, you can use dairy or plant-based)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- A few drops lemon (about 10 g)
Tools
- 1 Food Processor Monsieur Cuisine Smart
- 1 Scale
- 1 Spatula
- 1 Container
- 1 Ice Tray
Preparation: The Secret is in Freezing
The real “trick” of this “nice cream” lies entirely in the preparation of the ingredients. Don’t skip this step!
Peel the bananas and cut them into slices or small pieces. First, lay them out on a baking sheet, separated, then once frozen, store them in a bag or container; once thawed, they will separate easily. Similarly, pour the milk into an ice cube tray. Freeze both for at least 8 hours, or even better, prepare them the day before. This will ensure they are solid and ready for the magic.
Remove bananas and milk from the freezer a few minutes before starting, just to let them soften a bit. Put the sugar (if using) in the jug of your blender or Monsieur Cuisine. If using the Monsieur Cuisine Smart, activate Turbo speed for 10-15 seconds to pulverize it. Scrape down the sugar from the sides with the spatula. Alternatively, you can use powdered sugar.
Add the frozen bananas, frozen milk, and lemon juice (if using) into the jug of your powerful blender or Monsieur Cuisine Smart. Close it and… get ready for the noise!
Run your appliance at maximum power (or speed 7 for Monsieur Cuisine) for 35-40 seconds. You’ll hear the engine working hard, that’s the sound of creaminess forming! Scrape the mixture well, bringing down anything stuck to the sides.
Then run at medium power (or speed 4 for Monsieur Cuisine) for 15-20 seconds, scraping if necessary, until obtaining a smooth and perfectly creamy consistency, just like freshly made soft-serve.The beauty of this “nice cream” is that it should be enjoyed immediately, once ready, to fully appreciate its incredible creaminess. You can serve it plain or unleash your creativity with toppings: dark chocolate shavings, hazelnut crumbles, a bit of fresh fruit, or a sprinkle of cocoa.
Advice
So, the taste of our banana “nice cream” is surprisingly rich, sweet, and incredibly creamy. Don’t expect the grainy texture of a sorbet, nor the heaviness of a homemade ice cream overloaded with cream.
Imagine something in between:
Natural Sweetness: The predominant flavor is the sweet and enveloping taste of banana, enhanced by the cold. If the bananas were very ripe, the sweetness will be intense and satisfying, with little need for extra sugar.
Surprising Creaminess: Thanks to your powerful blender (or Monsieur Cuisine) and the right proportion of frozen milk, the texture is velvety and melting, almost like soft-serve. It’s its strong point!
Fresh and Light: It’s a very refreshing dessert, perfect for summer, without that heavy feeling that other cold desserts can sometimes give.
Versatile: It’s a fantastic base that lends itself to a thousand customizations. The banana flavor is delicate and pairs well with many other ingredients.
In summary, it’s a dessert that will surprise you with its simplicity and the final result: an explosion of freshness, sweetness, and creaminess, with the authentic flavor of banana taking center stage. It’s the perfect solution when you crave a “ice cream” that’s delicious, homemade, and ready in no time!
Customization and Storage
Sweetness to Taste: If the bananas are super ripe, you might not need extra sugar. Taste and adjust!
Customize: Want a chocolate “nice cream”? Add a tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder. Craving peanut butter? A teaspoon will work wonders. The variations are endless!
If there’s any left… (but I doubt it!): If there is any left, you can refreeze it, but the texture will be more solid. In that case, blend it again for a few seconds before serving it.
FAQ – Quick Banana Ice Cream
Can I use non-frozen bananas?
Absolutely not! The secret to the creaminess of this “nice cream” lies precisely in the frozen bananas. Using fresh bananas would give you a smoothie, not the ice cream-like texture we’re aiming for.
How long does it take for bananas and milk to freeze completely?
For optimal results, I recommend freezing the bananas and milk (in cubes) for at least 8 hours. Ideally, prepare them the night before and leave them in the freezer overnight.
Can I use a regular (non-powerful) blender?
A regular blender might struggle a lot and not achieve the desired creamy consistency. You’ll need a powerful blender (like a Vitamix, Ninja, or your Monsieur Cuisine Smart) to effectively crush the frozen ingredients without overheating.
Can I add other ingredients?
Sure, customization is the beauty of “nice cream”! You can add a tablespoon of cocoa powder for a chocolate version, peanut butter, nuts, cinnamon, or even other frozen fruits (like strawberries or blueberries) to vary the flavor.
How long does the “nice cream” last?
This “nice cream” is meant to be enjoyed immediately to appreciate its maximum creaminess. If you freeze it again, the texture will become more solid and less velvety. You can still eat it, but I recommend blending it again for a few seconds before serving to regain some softness.
Can I prepare it in advance for a party?
Since the best texture is achieved when freshly made, it’s not ideal to prepare it hours before a party. However, you can prepare and freeze the bananas and milk in advance, then assemble the “nice cream” a few minutes before serving. It’s so quick that it won’t be a problem!
I hope this foray into the world of “nice cream” has entertained you as much as it did me. It’s proof that for an incredibly tasty, fresh, and creamy result, you don’t need space-age machinery or hours in the kitchen. Just a couple of ingredients, some ice, and your trusty robot.
So, try this super easy recipe and let me know in the comments how your banana “nice cream” turned out.
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See you at the next (non) recipe or the next kitchen experiment!
