Hazelnut Banana “Nice-Cream”

If you're not familiar with banana "nice cream" allow me to introduce you... Truth is, I'm not sure exactly when that (somewhat odd) name became popular but it was previously often referred to as "banana soft serve". It is essentially bananas frozen and then blended to a creamy consistency with whatever flavor add-ins make you happy. You can use other fruit (berries in particular work well) or nut butters or even cocoa or coffee. Here I've used hazelnut butter which is easy to make (directions below).

Ingredients

• 4 bananas
• 1/4 cup hazelnut butter (increase to 1/2 cup for a stronger hazelnut flavor)
• pinch of salt (be generous!)
• for garnish: sliced banana, chopped dark chocolate, roughly chopped hazelnuts, flaked sea salt

Note: Hazelnut butter is easy to make. Use this almond butter recipe, just replace the almonds with hazelnuts. While I often make the almond butter with no sweetener, I do feel that the hazelnut butter needs it. My sweetener of choice is honey.

Directions

1. Cut the banana into thick slices and freeze in a single layer.
2. When fully frozen, transfer the banana slices to a food processor fitted with the S blade and process until it reaches a smooth soft ice cream-like texture. Add the hazelnut butter and salt and process.
3. Layer in glasses with the banana slices, dark chocolate and hazelnuts. Top with a sprinkling of sea salt flakes.

NOTE: This recipe needs to be served fresh. It is, after all, not actually ice cream, and it loses its creamy texture when frozen. You can keep it in the freezer for an hour or two before serving, but beyond that it loses its consistency. Yes, this is limiting. Sorry about that.

Serves: 4

Source: chabad.org

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