Chocolate Peanut Butter Nice Cream

What do you make when it is 90 degrees Fahrenheit plus in the month of March? Nice cream! It has most definitely not been baking weather even though it is still technically winter. Nice cream is a non-dairy frozen treat that is generally made with fruit. It is a great way to satisfy an ice cream craving yet in a very healthy way. The flavor I decided to make is chocolate peanut butter nice cream.

This dessert is SO easy to make with such simple ingredients it’s nuts! Only 4 ingredients and about 6 minutes to whip it up before freezing it for a couple hours. The only sweetener in this nice cream is a very ripe banana. It provides that creamy texture that is needed for a mock ice cream. Chunky and salty peanut butter gives it a rich and decadent texture and flavor along with the cacao, almost like a frozen peanut butter cup! The overall texture is cold and creamy with an almost marshmallow-like feel while eating it. This is all in all a very delightful and satisfying treat that is practically guilt free!

Ingredients to Make Nice Cream

• very ripe bananas
• crunchy and salty peanut butter
• vanilla extract
• cacao or cocoa powder

This nice cream is: vegan, gluten free, rich, creamy, refreshing, naturally sweetened, and very satisfying!

I love this recipe because the ingredients are something I always have on hand in my kitchen so I don’t have to make a special trip out to the grocery store!

Topping Options

• slivered almonds or toasted almonds
• chopped walnuts, pecans, or peanuts
• chocolate chips
• berries
• whipped cream
• or sprinkles to make it fun for kids!

For a couple other chocolate and peanut butter combination recipes, check out these Peanut Butter Blossoms and Peanut Butter Cups. Also check out this Vegan Chocolate Mousse that is also naturally sweetened!

How Many Servings Does this Recipe Make?

This recipe makes about 2 servings, but you can double the recipe or even cut it in half for just 1 serving. It is surprisingly rich and filling so a little goes a long way!

Could I Make it Sweeter?

Yes! If it is not quite sweet enough for your taste buds, you can add a splash of maple or date syrup to it or a couple of chopped dates.

How to Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Nice Cream

Start by mashing the bananas in a small bowl. A fork works great for this! Then add in the vanilla extract, peanut butter, and cacao powder. Next use the fork to mix it all together until it is well-mixed. The texture will be thick.

Now pour the mixture into a freezer safe bowl or dish. Use a rubber scraper to get every last bit out. Then cover the top with plastic wrap and freeze for 1 1/2-2 hours. For a softer texture more like soft served ice cream, freeze for 1 1/2 hours. To get a firmer texture, freeze for 2 or more hours. The shape of the dish it is in will vary the freezing time a bit.

Lastly, if it has been freezing for multiple hours, you may need to set it out for about 15-20 minutes until it is easy enough to scoop. You can also carefully run a little warm water on the bottom of the dish to thaw it a bit quicker.

Serve with your favorite toppings or just as is!

Storage Tips or Notes

• Store sealed in a freezer safe container.
• Simply thaw it for 15-20 minutes if it has been freezing for more than a couple hours and is very hard.
• I recommend eating it the day it is made so that it stays fresh and doesn’t become icy and who wants to wait that long?
• You can use a creamy and salty peanut butter instead if preferred. I like the bit of crunch and texture of the crunchy peanut butter.