Creamy, Dreamy No-Fuss Icecream (Dairy Free)

[squirrel]

This is a lovely thick, creamy ice-cream which is incredibly easy to make, healthy & delish to eat.   

Ingredients

1 cup raw cashews  (optionally soak in some water for 1/2hr before and rinse off, for a creamier ice-cream)
I cup water
1/2 banana
1/4 cup of maple syrup or raw honey or agave syrup  (your preferred sweetener)
pinch sea salt
1 tsp vanilla extract

Optional mixers - eg 1/4 cup chopped dark chocolate, nuts etc
Optional: to make as a chocolate ice-cream add 1/4 cup raw cacao or cocoa powder and a good dash of cinnamon

Directions

Blend all ingredients (except mixers) in the Thrmx - Speed 9, 1 min

 * If you don't have an ice-cream maker - transfer to a covered stainless steel or tupperware type bowl and freeze for 30 mins.  Then add and mix through any optional mixers (eg chopped dark choc)  and place back in freezer and continue freezing for 6-8 hrs

* If using and ice-cream maker - churn for about 25-30 mins.  Add any optional mixers and mix for another 5 mins.  Transfer to covered bowl and freeze for 6-8hrs

[SueJen]

Thanks squirrel, have added to my, to try file

[Slice of Health]

This sounds lovely, thanks for sharing I've been looking for something like this. If I don't have an ice-cream maker how will it scoop out after it has been frozen for awhile, is it rock hard or does it spoon out easily?

[squirrel]

Kulsha.. this ice-cream remains very creamy and not does not set rock hard. So it's very easy to scoop out and eat lots   

[judydawn]

This will be my next ice cream - with or without my ice-cream maker which has gone back to the manufacturer. 

[Amy :-)]

Hi squirrel

I just wondered if the flavour of the banana comes through very strongly in this icecream? Do you think I could use mango?

TIA

[squirrel]

Hi Amy... there is a very slight banana flavour.  I think the idea of the banana is to sweeten it naturally and it adds to the creaminess of the icecream.  Mango will be OK, but it probably won't be as creamy and may harden up a bit more due to the juice.  What you could probably do, is put it in ice trays, and then re-blitz in Thmx  before serving (if you don't have an icre-cream machine).  The other option is to add a Tblsp of alcohol - so it doesn't freeze as much.

[Amy :-)]

Thanks for a quick reply squirrel!

I did wonder how much the creaminess would be affected. I might make it with the banana first, and then try the mango so we can compare

I'd try the alcohol but I'm not allowed to buy it lol

[Slice of Health]

I'm going to try this recipe today! I have had my cashews soaking overnight and can't wait to try this !

[cookie1]

I'll be interested to see how,it turns out.

[Slice of Health]

I'm officially impressed, thanks for this squirrel. I made the plain version, no mixers just to see what it's like as a base and its so sweet and creamy you would swear there is cream in it. We had it with some home made 'ice magic'. As it is nut based, its satisfying so you dont need much. Now I can't wait to try some variations! Might try some crushed chockie biscuits as a semi-healthy cookies and cream and some coffee as another idea. Yay! Thanks again.

[squirrel]

Good one Kulsha... keep us posted is you come up with some nice variations on it.  I'll probably try a choc/peppermint choc chip variation next...  the sky is the limit when it comes to ice cream    

[Cuilidh]

I made this the other day and it turned out nicely, a little grey in colour with quite a distinct banana taste, but good nonetheless (maybe I used a bit too much banana).  I used vanilla paste as I had it on the bench for something else so the vanilla taste was very nice.  Added some chocolate drops but think I will try mango next time with a little less banana.  I don't know what I did wrong, but mine set rock hard, but that's OK, just take it out of the freezer a little earlier.  I think I would also double the quantity.  A very good ice cream subsitute, though.

[Slice of Health]

Hi Cuilidh, I found the same with the setting, mine was very hard too particularly after leaving in the freezer for a longer period. I wonder if it would be more aerated if it was whipped with an egg white or two ? (Like the fruity dream fruit based recipe). I may try this next time.

[judydawn]

I've got some in the freezer at the moment too in a shallow metal dish. Mine set rock hard too but I just cut out a square and leave it sitting whilst I eat the main course and it is then ready to go - I'm a fast eater so it doesn't take long    Don't think my grand-children would be keen on this one but I know what's in it and that it's a healthy alternative to real ice-cream.