Introduction
Remember those carefree summer days, maybe chasing the ice cream truck or scooping your favorite flavor right from the carton? There’s something so wonderfully nostalgic about a frozen treat. But what if you could capture that magic with ingredients you feel great about? Enter Nice Cream! It’s like healthy ice cream’s cooler, easier cousin. And let me tell you, this Cherry Garcia Nice Cream recipe? It’s a game-changer. It takes just minutes, uses only a handful of simple ingredients, and delivers all the creamy, dreamy, cherry-and-chocolate goodness you crave, totally dairy-free and vegan. Seriously, you won’t believe how easy it is to whip up this incredible dessert right in your own kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast: Ready in under 10 minutes – seriously!
- Easy: Just blend and stir, no fancy equipment needed beyond a blender or food processor.
- Giftable: Package it up in cute jars for a thoughtful homemade treat.
- Crowd-pleasing: Everyone loves the classic combo of cherries and chocolate chips! Plus, it’s naturally vegan and dairy-free.
- Healthy-ish: Made primarily from fruit, it’s a dessert you can feel good about indulging in.
Ingredients
You only need five simple things to make this magic happen. Chances are, you might even have them waiting in your freezer right now!
- Frozen Bananas: The absolute base of nice cream! Make sure they are nice and ripe before freezing for the best sweetness and texture. I like to break them into chunks before freezing.
- Frozen Cherries: These bring that signature flavor. You can use sweet or tart frozen cherries depending on your preference.
- Unsweetened Coconut Milk: Just a splash helps get things moving in the blender and adds a lovely creaminess. You can use other plant milks too!
- Dark Chocolate: Gotta have those chocolate chunks! Use your favorite bar or dairy-free chips.
- Vanilla Extract: A little touch of vanilla enhances all the other flavors.
How to Make It
Okay, get ready, because this is almost ridiculously simple. Let’s make some nice cream!
- First things first, grab your high-powered blender or trusty food processor. Toss in the frozen banana chunks, frozen cherries, that little splash of unsweetened coconut milk, and the vanilla extract.
- Now, blend away! This is where the magic happens. Start on a low speed and gradually increase it. You’ll need to stop and scrape down the sides frequently with a spatula. Be patient! It will look crumbly at first, but keep blending and scraping until it transforms into a thick, smooth, and creamy consistency that looks just like soft-serve ice cream.
- While your nice cream is getting smooth, quickly chop your dark chocolate into small pieces. We want those classic “chunks”!
- Once your nice cream is perfectly smooth and creamy, transfer it to a bowl (if it’s in a blender pitcher) or keep it in the food processor bowl. Stir in most of the chopped dark chocolate using a spoon or spatula. Save a few pieces for sprinkling on top if you like!
- And just like that, you’re done! You can serve this glorious Cherry Garcia Nice Cream immediately for a soft-serve consistency. Or, if you prefer a firmer scoop, transfer it to a freezer-safe container and pop it in the freezer for an hour or two.
Substitutions & Additions
This recipe is super forgiving and easy to customize! Feel free to play around and make it your own.
- Milk: Don’t have coconut milk? Almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk work just as well. Use whatever plant milk you have on hand!
- Fruit: While cherries are key here, you could experiment with other frozen fruits. Just be aware the flavor will change!
- Chocolate: Not a dark chocolate fan? Use vegan milk chocolate chips, white chocolate chunks (check they are dairy-free!), or even cacao nibs for a richer, less sweet crunch.
- Extra Mix-ins: Stir in some chopped nuts (like almonds or walnuts), a swirl of almond butter, or even a sprinkle of shredded coconut along with the chocolate.
- Flavor Boosts: Add a tiny pinch of almond extract along with the vanilla to really amp up the cherry flavor!
Tips for Success
Nice cream is easy, but a few little tricks can make it even smoother sailing.
- Use Ripe Bananas: The riper your bananas are before freezing (brown spots are good!), the sweeter and creamier your nice cream will be.
- Freeze Fruit Properly: Make sure your fruit is completely frozen solid. If it’s even a little soft, the nice cream won’t be as thick.
- Be Patient with Blending: It takes time and scraping! Don’t be tempted to add too much liquid, or it will become more of a smoothie. Stop, scrape, and blend until it’s truly smooth and thick.
- Slightly Thaw Fruit (Optional): If your blender isn’t super powerful, letting the frozen fruit sit out for 5-10 minutes before blending can make it easier to process.
- Use a Tamper: If your high-powered blender came with a tamper tool (like a Vitamix), definitely use it to push the frozen fruit down into the blades. It makes the process much faster and smoother!
How to Store It
Okay, if you manage to have any leftovers (which is a big IF!), here’s how to save them.
Transfer any remaining nice cream to an airtight, freezer-safe container. Press a piece of parchment paper or plastic wrap directly onto the surface before putting on the lid to help prevent ice crystals. It will keep in the freezer for about 1-2 weeks, although the texture is best within the first few days. When you want to enjoy it again, you might need to let it sit out on the counter for 5-15 minutes to soften up enough to scoop.
FAQs
Got questions? I’ve got answers!
- Can I use fresh fruit instead of frozen? No, the frozen fruit is essential for creating that thick, cold, ice cream-like texture. Fresh fruit will just give you a smoothie.
- My blender is struggling. What can I do? Make sure you’re using a high-powered blender or food processor designed for frozen ingredients. Stop often to scrape down the sides, use a tamper if you have one, and if really stuck, add only a tiny splash more liquid (like half a tablespoon at a time).
- What’s the best way to chop the chocolate? A sharp knife on a cutting board works great. You want varied sizes, from small slivers to larger chunks, for that classic texture.
- Is this really healthy? Compared to traditional ice cream, yes! It’s made primarily from fruit and avoids refined sugar and dairy. It’s a wonderful, nutrient-dense treat, though like any dessert, it’s best enjoyed in moderation.
Homemade Cherry Garcia Nice Cream (Healthy & Vegan!)
Equipment
- high-powered blender or food processor
- Spatula
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Freezer-safe container for freezing/storage
- Parchment paper or plastic wrap, for storage
Ingredients
Ingredients
- Frozen Bananas ripe, broken into chunks
- Frozen Cherries sweet or tart
- Unsweetened Coconut Milk small splash, or other plant milk
- Dark Chocolate chopped, or dairy-free chips
- Vanilla Extract little touch
Instructions
- Combine frozen banana chunks, frozen cherries, unsweetened coconut milk, and vanilla extract in a high-powered blender or food processor.
- Blend, starting on low speed and gradually increasing. Stop and scrape down the sides frequently until the mixture is thick, smooth, and creamy.
- Quickly chop the dark chocolate into small pieces.
- Transfer the nice cream to a bowl (if necessary) and stir in most of the chopped dark chocolate.
- Serve immediately for soft-serve consistency, or transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for 1-2 hours for a firmer scoop.