The Raw Ice Cream that Changed my Life

Pretty epic title, huh? Well, it’s totally true.

The other day, while watching a boring movie (can’t even remember the title, it was THAT bad), I was Googling vegan raw recipes on my iPhone. I was in the mood for something sweet, yet healthy, and I eventually settled on some raw vegan brownies. They turned out OK, but that’s not what this post is about. This is about the raw vegan ice cream that I chose not to make at the time, but that I bookmarked for later instead. Well, that “later” was about 12 minutes ago, when I popped the pieces of 2 frozen bananas and a sprinke of shredded coconut into my mini food processor to make raw vegan “ice cream”. The outcome? Well let’s just say that I was so amazed by this that I didn’t even take the time to grab my “real” camera. I used my iPhone and snapped this quick one instead. But before that, I ate it. All. Out of the food processor. With the blade still in it. Yep.

raw vegan ice cream

Gena was totally right when she called her post about this recipe: This Post Will Change Your Life. And despite her amazing write-up, I still didn’t believe that the outcome would be so creamy… and fluffy. But it is. Really. I won’t gush any more about this because at the end of the day, you’ll either make it, or you won’t. But I’m telling you that if you do, it will really change your life.

Update

August 29, 2011 – My mom made this for me during my recent trip home, by adding frozen mangoes, a splash of coconut milk and teaspoon of vanilla. It’s divine!

Raw Vegan Mango-Banana Ice Cream

49 thoughts on “The Raw Ice Cream that Changed my Life”

  1. I live in Canada, and I bought this machine (when it was on sale) called Yonanas (I think it was Dole brand? Not sure) Anyways, you put in frozen bananas and any other frozen fruit you want and it takes about 30 seconds. It makes really creamy great ice cream from just frozen fruits. no other ingredients. It is really simple and yummy. Definitely worth the money.

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  2. I know that frozen bananas in the Vitamix makes a lovely soft serve! I love frozen bananas, mixed with frozen peaches & 2 teaspoons of raw carob powder & vanilla extract,…yummy yum too! Your mom’s ice-cream looks freaking delicious too!

    🙂 MMMMMM!

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  3. Love your website! I’ll admit I’m not vegan but like to try all sorts. I had purchased too many bananas and wasn’t sure what to do with them. Well they are now “ice cream”! Made a few batches, put them into a Tupperware container (leave some room for expansion as it refreezes), now I have a “dessert” each evening. Plus by making a few batches I only have to wash my food processor once…until next time lol. Oh by the way it refreezes really well and scoops out just like normal ice cream.

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    • That’s a great tip, I had no idea you could freeze it in batches like that. Will definitely do that to save on dishes and clean-up, thanks! Try mango next time… it’s incredible!

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  4. Yes, but…I have this problem. When I freeze bananas (which I started doing because of lush sounding vegan ice cream recipes like this) I end up eating the frozen banana before makinig anything. Trader Joe’s (a small US food chain) carries “Gone bananas”, which are banana “coins” coated with chocolate, yum. So I slice and freeze bananas, sans chocolate and – no ice cream happens. I believe it’s delicious; maybe one day I will find out.

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    • Ha ha ha! That’s too funny. I’ve made frozen chocolate banana “coins” too. So good! Definitely try to make the frozen banana ice cream though… it’s SO good!

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  5. I have to add that when I went Vegan one of my initial temptations was ice cream. I found a recipe for 1 frozen banana, tbsp PB, 1 tbsp cacao powder and viola! It was such a small recipe, but something that really gave me steam when I switched.

    I cannot wait to try some of the variations listed here. I am really enjoying your recipes and the additions in the comments. I don’t think I have liked looking through comments this much in a long time.

    My addition: my blender seems to do better if I slice banana before freezing versus bigger pieces. I’ve also learned to keep some frozen on hand for cravings.

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  6. Evening to all – you guys have made my day, month, year – I recently decided to become vegan. I live in the middle east and have been so frustrated by the odd looks I get in shops when I ask for a butter/cheese substitute, etc. This website is awesome – the tips, the spirit, and wow, the recipes have my mouth watering. DIY all the way… THANK YOU.

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  7. I love this! I too was skeptical of the banana ice cream hype. I was like, “Really? Yeah right. No way. We’ll see about that…” When I finally remembered to freeze my bananas (I usually eat them too fast), I gave it a whirl, only a few months ago. And I would agree, it’s a game changer. This trumps ice cream. And I’m not just saying that. I’ve served it to people as “Banana/Cocoa” ice cream (I add about a TBSP of dark cocoa powder with a dash of vanilla extract). I wait until I hear the “Wow. That was delicious. Ben & Jerry’s?” I then tell them, no. It’s “ML’s Banana Cocoa awesomeness”…You don’t need to work it off tomorrow. You’re welcome.

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    • Totally!! I can’t wait to be back in my own kitchen so that I can make this again. I haven’t tried adding cocoa powder… Great idea! Thanks for stopping by 🙂

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  8. Wow this has totally changed my life! Wow so good and so amazing. I put 2 frozen bananas and 5 frozen strawberries and it made two huge servings! I am def gonna play around with this one. Thanks so much for your post!

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  9. Thanks for the find, Angela. My kids have been drooling at the pics of ice cream!

    So… I’m definitely going to have to give this one a try.

    I do recall the most amazing pista kulfi ice cream in India so some added pistachio and cardamon might be on the agenda.

    Reply
  10. Hi,

    Please tell me how to download The Raw Ice Cream that Changed my Life and other articles from vegangela.com.

    I’m only able to receive one page of a particular article like this one…

    Why is this??

    Thank you in advance
    Loriot Reineman

    Reply
  11. Hi,

    I’ve just confirmed my subscription to your most interesting and creative site but cannot download the article and comments…The Raw Ice Cream that Changed my Life.

    What I can download is This Post Will Change Your Life from choosingraw.com

    Please help me to print The Raw Ice Cream that Changed my Life.

    Thank you in advanced,
    Loriot Reineman

    Reply
  12. I tried out this recipe on my unsuspecting family members last night – there was much swooning 🙂 I added some cocoa powder and vanilla essence to make ‘chocolate ice-cream’ and served it with fruit salad (no bananas in that, lol). It went down fantastically! Thanks again 🙂

    Reply
    • Hi Avril – Yum, your combination sounds delicious. Seriously, I don’t know why anyone would ever buy/eat sugar-loaded gelato/sorbet (or even ice cream) ever again. Thanks for your feedback! 🙂

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  13. I have made this many times. Thanks for sharing.

    I’ve tried the following:
    2 bananas
    2 heaping tbsp peanut butter
    = excellent

    2 bananas
    Equal amount of mango/mixed berries/raspberries
    = more excellent

    I’m partial to the mango, but all varieties are well worth it.

    Reply
    • Hi Bailey – Thanks so much for your comments and feedback! Peanut butter and banana is such a great combo, I’ll need to try that. My mom got me on the banana/mango combination, and funny enough, we’ve been topping it with fresh raspberries all week! In fact, I’ve got a post on it coming very soon! Anyway, thanks again and keep in touch!

      Reply
  14. Hi there – I just stumbled onto this page 🙂 I’m trying out vegan lifestyle for the month of August (if you’re interested, you can follow my thoughts on http://www.life-of-wow.blogspot.com), so I’ve been snooping around for cool recipes. I’m really excited to try this one, and many of the others look super fab too! Thanks so much 🙂

    Reply
    • Hi Avril – Thanks for your comments and congrats on going vegan in August. I’ll add your blog to my RSS reader so that I can see what you’re up to. Keep in touch and let me know if you have any questions 🙂

      Reply
  15. ALso a wicked raw ice cream recipe: http://meghantelpnerblog.com/2009/02/15/rest-to-digest/

    AND, this one will change your life:

    – 1 banana
    – 1 ripe avocado
    – 3 TBS Agave
    – 2 TBS coconut oil
    – 4 TBS cacao powder
    – 1 teaspoon vanilla
    – 1/4 teaspoon salt

    Blend that all up in a blender, and you’ll get a chocolate pudding. OR you can fill it into crusts and make a mini ice-cream tart!

    Crust:
    1/2 cup nuts (almonds, cashews, or walnuts work well!)
    1/2 raisins (or combo with dates)
    2 TBS cacao powder
    pinch salt
    Freeze the tart shells. Then when your “ice cream” is ready, pour it into the shell and chill in the freezer. Give it a bit of time to thaw when you take it out.

    SERIOUSLY, I had the same experience with you on this one- i ate it right out of the blender it was so incredible!

    Love your recipes, I just made your spring roll recipe tonight 🙂

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    • Hi Marie – THANKS so much for taking the time to leave this great comment! I will definitely try this pudding/tart recipe! What did you think of th spring rolls? Thanks again for sharing! 🙂

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    • Oh my gosh, THANK YOU!!!

      When I was little, I remember getting this delicious frozen banana ‘ice cream’ at a carnival. It was pale yellow, fluffy, creamy and delicious. I had it several times that day and loved it sooo much. I recently remembered this childhood relic and tried to make it myself, but I stuffed it up and did it the wrong way (pureed the bananas, THEN froze it…it became a brown and not-creamy mess lol). I gave up and decided they must have had some special machine/technique. Seeing your post has made me realise how they made it! (I feel a bit dumb now, but too pleased to care!)

      PS: I am loving your website. Your mushroom risotto is to die. And it’s so nice to see a vegan blog written by someone living in Sydney. I’m in Queensland, and all the other books/recipes/blogs I read are usually by Americans. Which is fine, but sometimes it’s difficult to find the ingredients here.

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      • Hi Bec! First off, thank you so much for your feedback – it means the world to me! Please don’t feel dumb at all for your initial raw ice cream experience. I initially thought that this method would turn-out brown and gooey too because in the past, I’ve defrosted frozen bananas slightly in the microwave for smoothies and well yeah… not very appetizing looking! But this method is so amazing, huh?

        Glad to hear you like the risotto – it’s my all-time favorite! And I promise, no matter where I live in the future, I’ll always have a special place in my heart for Australia… and I’ll always keep the ingredients here in mind! 🙂

        Thanks again for your feedback… you so totally made my day!

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  16. Just made this for Annabelle and she absolutely loved it (she wasn’t the only one). Definitely going to make this again.

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    • I’m so happy to hear that. Thanks for taking the time to let me know! I’m trying it with a few strawberries tonight… will let you know how it turns out!

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  17. oh wow… this is the same recipe i found the other day when i was looking up recipes for raw-food-only-july

    they also recommend making a granita with frozen strawberries, oranges, etc

    good to know it works out so i’ll have something yummy to eat amongst all the raw veggies and salads 🙂

    Reply
    • If you have a decent food processor, then yes, it works and really comes out fluffy… like soft serve or whipped cream. Yum! I tried kiwi fruit last night, which was good, and I’ll try strawberries tonight. I don’t see myself buying gelato or sorbet or soy ice cream ever again… 😉

      PS. Raw July – I love it! I’ll be sure to send some recipes your way!

      Reply
  18. Wow, it looks delicious. I just put two bananas in the freezer. I will add some Canadian maple syrup to it. Thanks to you I will have a yummy afternoon delight today. Your maman.

    Reply
    • Hi Lindsay – thanks for your comment. I was totally thinking of adding peanut butter in there. Or topping with chocolate sauce and crushed peanuts. The sky is the limit! I just can’t believe how fluffy it is. I thought it would be all slimy, like over-ripe bananas… but not at all. Just sucks how bananas are $12/kilo here in Sydney these days!!

      Reply

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