Since we’ve recently discovered nice cream, I’ve been playing with different flavor combinations to satisfy those junk food cravings. One snack I’ve wanted lately is some chunky monkey ice cream, or something with chocolate and nuts. I tried throwing a few things together and was pleasantly surprised with the outcome. This recipe was only 4 ingredients: walnuts, peanut butter, banana, and chocolate chips.

I’m slowly getting more obsessed with nice cream being it’s so easy, versatile, and quite inexpensive to make. Bananas have to be one of the lowest cost fruit out there, and you can pre-prepare the sliced bananas in the freezer so it’s ready to make at any time. I’ve been putting a few in a container and have a few containers ready so all we have to do is remove from the freezer and thaw prior to blending. As a new mom I’m all about convenience.

The last few days have been a little more difficult. In the words of a fellow new mom, there must have been a full moon or something, because the babes have been extra fussy. It seems without fail when there are days like this, a good sweet treat is in order. Normally on a stressful day, I’d be first in line at the Dairy Queen drive thru. Since discovering nice cream, I have not been out for ice cream.

This recipe is quite easy, just pulse the bananas and peanut butter together with the chocolate chips, and then pause the blending to add walnuts. I prefer the chocolate broken up fine, but the nuts to be in bigger pieces for that added crunch, but if you like smaller pieces, feel free to add all your ingredients at the same time. Blend until the banana is smooth.

Vegan Chunky Monkey Banana Nice Cream

Prep Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 2 servings

Ingredients

2 bananas sliced and frozen
1 tbsp peanut butter
1/4 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
1/4 cup walnuts

Directions

1. At least a few hours (preferably the day prior) slice bananas and place in freezer.
2. Remove from freezer about 30 minutes prior to making nice cream (or defrost for a minute in the microwave if you’re impatient)
3. Place in blender or food processor with peanut butter and chocolate chips
4. Once banana is starting to look smooth, stop blending and add walnuts
5. Continue to blend until banana is smooth
6. Serve as soft serve or place in freezer to harden for a firmer texture

Nutrition Information

Calories: 400
Protein: 7.8 g
Fat: 22.4 g
Carbohydrates: 48.3 g
Fiber: 7.4 g
Sugar: 28.7 g (half of this is from the banana)

Make sure you’re using vegan chocolate chips if you want to keep your dessert vegan. Reduce the chocolate chips by half to cut your sugar intake. Feel free to substitute walnuts for pecans or other nut of choice. Let me know what you think or if you use any different or additional ingredients.

-Cassie 🙂