Cherry Garcia Nice Cream is a delightful frozen dessert that is inspired by the popular Cherry Garcia ice cream flavor from Ben & Jerry’s. It’s a vegan and dairy-free alternative to traditional ice cream, often referred to as “nice cream” because of its nice, creamy texture. Given your interest in food and beverages, this is a perfect recipe for you to add to your collection.
History:
Nice cream gained popularity in recent years as a healthier and plant-based alternative to ice cream. It’s made primarily from frozen bananas, which give it a creamy texture when blended. The name “Cherry Garcia” is a nod to the famous flavor from Ben & Jerry’s, which features cherries and chocolate chunks in a rich ice cream base.
Components:
Here are the main components you’ll need to make Cherry Garcia Nice Cream:
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Frozen Bananas: These are the base of nice cream and provide the creamy texture. Make sure to peel and slice ripe bananas before freezing them.
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Cherries: You’ll need frozen cherries for the cherry flavor. They add a sweet and tart taste to the nice cream.
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Chocolate Chunks: To capture the essence of Cherry Garcia, you’ll need vegan chocolate chunks or chips. You can also use chocolate syrup or cocoa powder.
Steps to Prepare Cherry Garcia Nice Cream:
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Freeze Bananas: Start by peeling and slicing ripe bananas. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet or plate and freeze until solid, which usually takes about 2-4 hours.
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Blend Bananas: Once the bananas are frozen, put them in a high-speed blender or food processor. Blend until they reach a creamy consistency. You may need to scrape down the sides of the blender periodically.
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Add Cherries: Add the frozen cherries to the blended bananas and continue to blend until well combined. You’ll notice the nice cream turning a lovely pinkish color.
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Add Chocolate Chunks: Mix in the vegan chocolate chunks or chips. If you prefer, you can pulse the nice cream a few times to create chocolate chunks within the mixture.
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Serve: Transfer the Cherry Garcia Nice Cream to bowls or cones. You can garnish it with additional cherries and chocolate chunks if desired.
Time Needed:
The time needed to prepare Cherry Garcia Nice Cream depends on how long it takes for your bananas to freeze and your blending equipment’s power. Generally, it takes about 10-15 minutes to prepare the nice cream once the bananas are frozen.
This delightful dessert is not only delicious but also a healthier alternative to traditional ice cream. It’s perfect for a quick treat or a refreshing summer dessert. Enjoy collecting this recipe, and feel free to adapt it to your rich and stylish taste!
Certainly, here are the nutrition facts and health information for Cherry Garcia Nice Cream (Soft Serve):
Nutrition Facts (Approximate per serving):
- Calories: 150-200 calories (depending on serving size)
- Total Fat: 3-5 grams
- Saturated Fat: 2-3 grams
- Cholesterol: 0 milligrams
- Sodium: 1-2 milligrams
- Total Carbohydrates: 35-40 grams
- Dietary Fiber: 5-6 grams
- Sugars: 18-20 grams (natural sugars from fruit)
- Protein: 2-3 grams
Health Information:
Cherry Garcia Nice Cream is a relatively healthy dessert option compared to traditional ice cream, primarily due to its plant-based ingredients and the absence of dairy. Here are some health-related points to consider:
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Low in Saturated Fat: This nice cream is low in saturated fat, making it heart-healthy. The saturated fat mainly comes from the small amount of chocolate chunks or chips used in the recipe.
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No Cholesterol: Since it’s completely plant-based and made from frozen bananas and cherries, there is no cholesterol in this dessert.
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High in Fiber: The dessert is relatively high in dietary fiber, thanks to the bananas and cherries. Fiber is essential for digestive health and can help you feel full.
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Natural Sugars: While it does contain sugars, they are primarily natural sugars from the fruit (bananas and cherries). It doesn’t contain added refined sugars.
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Vegan-Friendly: Cherry Garcia Nice Cream is suitable for vegans and those who are lactose intolerant.
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Rich in Vitamins and Minerals: Bananas are a good source of potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin B6. Cherries provide vitamin C and antioxidants.
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Moderation is Key: While it’s a healthier alternative to traditional ice cream, it’s still a dessert. Enjoy it in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
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Customizable: You can adjust the ingredients to suit your dietary preferences. For example, you can choose dark chocolate for a lower sugar option or use a sugar substitute if you’re watching your sugar intake.
Remember that the nutrition information may vary slightly based on the specific ingredients and serving size you use. Overall, Cherry Garcia Nice Cream offers a tasty way to satisfy your sweet cravings while incorporating some nutritional benefits from the fruit and lower saturated fat content compared to regular ice cream.
