An Easy Homemade Ice Cream Recipe for Kids

Your kids may scream for ice cream, but there’s actually a better option out there for satisfying a sweet tooth! “‘Nice cream’ is like ice cream, but it’s made from frozen bananas instead of the typical heavy dairy cream,” said Allie Gregg, a Florida-based dietician. “It is a great alternative to ice cream because instead of loading up on sugar and fat, you are actually getting lots of great nutrients without the calories.”

For one, the banana base is a good source of potassium, which Gregg said is one of the most important minerals you can have in your diet. “A diet high in potassium may have benefits against stroke and osteoporosis,” she said. “It also aids in fluid balance.”

Beyond the “nice cream” base, even the optional flavor mix-ins have health benefits. “Peanut butter has a great amount of protein and unsaturated fats that will keep you feeling fuller longer,” said Gregg. “It also has high amounts of magnesium, which helps in energy production,” she added. Of course, if you prefer another kind of nut butter, you could always substitute that in. Adding some chocolate is another tasty option, as flavonoids found in dark chocolate may help improve brain health and help reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes.

With Gregg’s favorite nice cream recipe ahead, you can treat your kids the healthy way this Summer!

How to Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Nice Cream

This recipe yields about two to four half-cup servings (depending on how big your frozen bananas are).

Ingredients

• 2 frozen, overripe bananas
• Milk of your choice (dairy, almond, oat, soy, etc.)
• Cocoa
• Peanut butter
• Vanilla
• Salt

Directions

Mix two overripe frozen bananas with a few tablespoons of any type of milk in a blender. Add three tablespoons of cocoa and three tablespoons of peanut butter, a dash of vanilla, and a dash of salt. Blend again until you reach the smooth consistency you desire. Pour the mix into a freezer-safe container and let set for a few hours.

Even though this banana “nice cream” is much healthier for you and your kiddos, natural sugar is still sugar, which can contribute to tooth decay if proper oral care isn’t followed. After talking with your dentist about the proper time to introduce a fluoride toothpaste into your children’s routine, make sure they brush twice a day with a toothpaste like Aquafresh Bubble Mint, which provides gentle care with low abrasion and the benefit of Sugar Acid Protection from fluoride to strengthen and actively defend little teeth.