Raw Cherry Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

Ice cream with cherries and chocolate chips has always been one of my favorite summer treats.  With the weather warming up, I created a version that I could feel good about eating.  If you have never tried making raw ice cream, it is unbelievably easy, and you don’t need an ice cream maker to do it.  I think this may be my new favorite treat.  It tastes just like soft serve ice cream, with the bonus of cherries and chocolate. 

Raw Cherry Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

2 large bananas, peeled, chopped, and frozen

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

1/8 teaspoon ground vanilla bean powder (optional)

½ cup pitted and chopped cherries

½ cup raw chocolate chips (see previous posts)

1.      Place bananas, vanilla extract, and vanilla bean powder in a food processor.  Blend until the bananas are light and well blended, about 3-4 minutes.  You may have to stop to scrape down the sides of the bowl periodically.  Once it is the consistency of soft serve, transfer to a medium mixing bowl.

2.      Fold in the cherries and chocolate chips.

3.      Serve immediately.

Note:  Make sure that your bananas are really ripe when you freeze them.  They taste a lot sweeter in the ice cream.  If your bananas need it, feel free to add a little sweetener to them.

Also, if you are a strict raw foodie, feel free to omit the vanilla extract and double the ground vanilla beans.  I am not 100% raw, so I still enjoy a quality vanilla extract.