salted banana peanut butter ice cream with chocolate caramel sauce

confession: i high fived myself when the above happened in the kitchen this weekend.  do you know how awkward that is, a grown woman high fiving HERSELF?  terrible.  but do you know what the complete polar opposite of terrible is?  THIS ICE CREAM.  which, as is stands, contains neither ice nor cream.  but instead is a mixture of unicorn love, bananas, peanut butter and salt.  {ok, one of those ingredients is the best thing ever totally made up}  

i should mention that i high fived myself not because i invented this banana peanut butter faux cream, but because i bettered it!  i've seen the recipe floating around a bunch, first on a friend's instagram and then pinterest, tumblr...everywhere i turned it was calling my name.  but when i made it as i'd seen the recipe call for- frozen banana, peanut butter, mix, serve.  it was just sort of meh.  at least, meh in my book. because in my opinion it was missing TWO VERY IMPORTANT THINGS.... salt, and unicorn love chocolate caramel.  so, proceed below for more about this why this is my new favorite dessert and the recipe after the jump!

here's why this is my new favorite dessert:  1.) it's easy  2.) it's insanely delicious  3.) it's so easy!  AND if those three reasons weren't enough there's also this: it's dairy free, gluten free and has no refined sugar. plus you don't need a fancy ice cream maker.  WHAT?!  so there you go my friends.  make it, love it, tell your friends about it.  xx- sarah

ingredients

for the ice cream:

3 bananas

2 tablespoons unsweetened, unsalted peanut butter

1/4 teaspoon sea salt (more if you're like me and you like your sweets salty!)

for the chocolate caramel sauce:

4 tablespoons of brown rice syrup

2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder (i used this brand)

chopped peanuts for garnish (and they don't just make it look pretty, they add a nice and necessary crunch!)

preparation

- slice bananas as you would for cereal and freeze overnight in a sealed container (ziplock or i prefer glass tupperware)

- pull the bananas out of the freezer and defrost for a few minutes.

- while the bananas are defrosting heat put the brown rice syrup and cocoa powder in top of double boiler (if you don't have one here is an alternative using what you most likely already have!)  heat on low while you're blending the ice cream, checking on it to stir and make sure there's not burning.

- in a good processor or high powered blender like a vitamix combine the bananas and peanut butter on low speed to avoid burning out the engine on your food processor or blender, take breaks and stir with a spoon!  when mostly mixed, add salt a little at a time and adjust to your taste (i prefer SALTY!)

- scoop ice cream into a small bowl, pour melted chocolate caramel sauce over top and sprinkle with chopped peanuts

- enjoy!  

*this recipe makes enough for two servings, plus a few extra bites of the ice cream for your pup

Comments

[Shauna]

LOL unicorn love!!!! So happy I stumbled across your blog- beautiful (and funny!!)

[christin]

genius!!!

[Lauren]

One of my favorite easy desserts, but can't wait to try your improvements!

[Latrina]

Oh my gosh. You are brilliant! ..and it is truly healthy, I thought you were just fooling us. :) I will have to try this! :D

I secretly add bananas to my yogurt with granola & nuts.. and it tastes just like banana pudding! You know, the one with waffer cookies. :)

[sarah yates]

thanks shauna!

@ christin and @latrina, you two keep throwing around words like "brilliant" and "genius" i'm going to turn into an egomaniacal monster! haha! :)

thanks lauren! let me know if you like it better (i hope you do!)

[courtney]

ripe bananas or browned ones?

[sarah yates]

@courtney- ripe (yellow) bananas!

[Alexa]

Oh this looks amazing! :)