Jumpstart the new year on a nice note this Veganuary by churning out these easy-peasy nice cream recipes with the fam. A healthy and fun way to beat the heat in Singapore!
So you have read tons of content on veganism, pulled out the best sellers from bookshops, and have convinced yourself it’s the path forward. But here’s the burning question – How do you begin? Will dishing out tons of raw veggies to the fam be a sustainable approach? We say, kickstarting the year on a fun note with small but doable steps is a great way to begin. And nothing will have more appeal with the kiddos than delicious vegan ice creams or nice creams. Plus, nice creams can easily pass off as ice cream with the kiddos. Yep, they will rarely be able to tell the difference. So let’s be nice this Veganuary and churn out these easy-peasy nice cream recipes that will win your littlie’s hearts.
17 (kid-approved) nice cream recipes for the summer
Before we begin, what classifies as a nice cream? ‘Nice cream’ is a vegan, sugar-free, dairy-free dessert which you can whip up simply by blitzing frozen fruits in a food processor. It’s delicious, creamy, packed with nutrients, a ‘nice’ and healthy alternative to treating the kids, and requires no fancy skills to make. Converted? Scroll down for the full scoop and dust off the food processor, pronto!
1. Banana coconut nice cream
Banana is always a winner with our kids; throw in a bit of coconut, and you’ve landed on the beach! This banana coconut milk nice cream recipe will serve up that much-needed holiday vibe in Singapore. So put on those snazzy shades with this 5-minute blitzed symphony between frozen banana and coconut milk to achieve that oh-so decadent creamy ‘nice cream’. All that is left is to get creative with the toppings! Sprinkle some lightly roasted coconut flakes for some crunch, drizzle some maple syrup for some earthy sweetness, or add a fluffy cloud of whipped coconut cream for that dreamy appeal. Time to go bananas with your little monkeys!
2. Chocolate chip nice cream
Calling all chocoholics! We know just the fix to beat those intense chocolate cravings. This no-churn chocolate nice cream recipe is easy to make and needs just a few ingredients from your pantry. Blitz a few frozen overripe bananas with three key ingredients that will amp up the flavour of your nice cream a hundredfold: cocoa powder, nut butter (we recommend almond butter for a light nutty taste) and vanilla extract. A splash of any non-dairy milk (or dairy if you like) will ease the blitzing process and give you those heavenly nom-worthy scoops of nice cream. So load up that cone, sprinkle a generous amount of chocolate chips, and you’ve earned yourself some brownie points!
3. Healthy funfetti nice cream
Looking for a nice cream recipe with a fun-tastic appeal? This healthy funfetti nice cream recipe is a fave because it looks like a party in a cone. You will need frozen bananas, almond butter, almond milk, maple syrup, vanilla extract and sea salt. Blitz it all together to achieve that creamy consistency. Lastly, shower some love on your nice cream scoop with colourful rainbow sprinkles and crushed almonds, and slurp away! This recipe is perfect for summer birthday parties, picnics at the park or beach, or simply after-lunch treats.
4. Peanut butter and jelly nice cream
Yup, we love the idea that this scoop of heaven on a cone takes inspiration from our go-to all-time snacky fave. You guessed right…peanut butter jelly sandwich! This peanut butter and jelly nice cream recipe hits the spot with the same sprinkle of delight. And as the name suggests, the recipe includes peanut butter, and raspberry jelly (or a jam of your choice) blended with a bunch of frozen bananas. A splash of vanilla extract and coconut milk, and you’re there! We suggest finishing off with a drizzle of jam, a sprinkle of crunchy roasted peanuts and a few raspberries for that finishing touch. Delish!
5. Cookie dough nice cream
For all cookie dough fans who eat up that dough before it hits the oven, here’s something special for you. This cookie dough nice cream recipe might take a tad bit more effort, but it’s worth it. Start by prepping the cookie dough bites. Here is where your little sous chefs can step in to give you a hand. Knead cashew butter, flour, maple syrup, chocolate chips, and salt into bite-sized doughy balls. For the nice cream, blend frozen bananas, a hint of cinnamon powder, maple syrup, a splash of almond milk, and lastly, dunk in those yummy cookie dough bites. Of course, a few might have vanished by now, courtesy of the little chef. But if you are lucky, crumble a cookie bite over your scoop to make it one chunky cookie delight. Yummm!
6. Avocado nice cream
Have you ever heard of a dessert that’s a superfood? This smooth and silky avocado nice cream recipe packs in all those good nutrients while your little fairies smack their lips, devouring every bite! All this recipe requires are ripe avocados, frozen bananas, plant-based milk and a bit of maple syrup (or honey) for sweetness. Blitz all these together into the healthiest and most delicious dessert.
7. Seasonal favourites: Mango nice cream
Nice creams are all about feasting on the flavours of nature and exploring seasonal fruits as they harvest at different times of the year. This mango nice cream recipe explores the king of all fruits as its key ingredient. Pulse together frozen mango, frozen banana, un-sweetened plant milk and agave syrup (or maple syrup) until blended into a creamy consistency. For the toppings, we recommend mango slices/cubes to give your fiesta bowl some texture. Mangos aren’t around for very long anyway, so why not make the most of its seasonal visit? Now simply indulge away!
8. Oreo nice cream
We love this oreo nice cream because it’s easy peasy to whip together and will be a quick win with the fam. All you need for prep are frozen bananas, peanuts, peanut butter, and of course, a bunch of Oreos. That’s it! For toppings, sprinkle over some crunch with crushed Oreos (or full), lightly toasted peanuts and soft banana slices.
9. Chocolate magic shell granola and caramel nice cream
This chocolate magic shell granola and caramel nice cream recipe has four components: a dollop of nice cream, a gooey caramel sauce, a magic chocolate shell and granola (of your choice). But the real beauty of this nice cream lies in the plating. Start with a layer of granola at the bottom of your bowl; dunk a scoop of nice cream, levelled out evenly in the bowl; now drizzle caramel sauce over; end by pouring chocolate sauce with a quick sprinkle of granola for that finishing touch. Hold your horses –it’s not finished yet! Now, wait for that chocolate magic shell to set. Voilà!
10. Mint chocolate nice cream
How about a hint of mint? This mint chocolate chip nice cream is a great dessert to beat the heat in hot and sultry Singapore. All you need for this recipe are frozen bananas, peppermint extract or fresh mint, food colouring (blue or green), and coconut cream or raw cashews. Serve it ‘blitzfully’ fresh from the blender with a sprinkle of chocolate chips and a sprig of mint.
11. Salted caramel nice cream
Sweet or savoury? Or do you like a bit of both? Well, the good news is this salted caramel nice cream recipe is somewhere in-between. Blend some frozen bananas with coconut cream and vanilla extract to make a lovely nice cream base. Once you have your nice cream ready, it’s time to whip up some of that decadent gooey caramel sauce to drizzle on top. You will need pureed Medjool dates, coconut cream, maple syrup and sea salt for the sauce. Pair the nice cream and caramel sauce together, and you have got a match made in heaven!
12. Strawberry cheesecake nice cream
Who doesn’t love to indulge in a slice of strawberry cheesecake? Unfortunately, this summer-fresh favourite is calorie-dense, so how about strawberry cheesecake in a cup that is healthier, guilt-free and good for you? This strawberry cheesecake recipe is a great alternative and goes light on the calories. In a blender, pulse together frozen bananas, unsweetened vegan milk (or dairy milk), vegan cream cheese (or dairy cream cheese), and a cup of fresh strawberries into a fluffy nice cream. Enjoy a scoop of this strawberry swirl with a crackle of graham crackers on the top, and it will score well with the kiddos.
13. Pink lemonade nice cream
Summertime is perfect to pack in all of our citrusy favourites to feel refreshed and well hydrated. Staying hydrated through the day in Singapore is important, and there’s nothing like a bit of lemonade to beat the heat. From glass to cup, this pink lemonade nice cream recipe is a perfect twist on the drink with all its summery goodness. Pulse together frozen bananas, frozen raspberries, zest of lemon and some lemon juice until smooth. You will be pleasantly surprised to find a cross between a sorbet and ice cream in your blender. So sit back, relax, and simply chill!
14. Berry nice cream
Looking for a superfood dessert for the kids that is healthy yet ‘berry’ nice at the same time? This berry nice cream recipe is packed with antioxidants, tart and tangy to the taste and a perfect wake-up food for the brain. For this recipe, blitz a cup of mixed frozen berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, mulberries), frozen bananas, maple syrup and a splash of plant milk to make a smooth nice cream. Garnish a scoop of nice cream with a sprig of mint leaves, and you have a feast for the tummy and the eyes (those colours are vibrant)!
15. Pinacolada nice cream (one for you, mums and dads!)
We’ve left the best for last because we know you parents have been working very hard at the blender lately. This pina-colada nice cream recipe is a special treat and just the fix you both need (strictly no kids allowed on this one!). Treat yourselves by pulsing together frozen pineapple chunks, frozen bananas, coconut cream, lime juice, and a splash of rum (you can use alcoholic rum or non-alcoholic rum flavour) to give your nice cream that much-needed kick. Serve it in a chic dessert glass and decorate it with a slice of pineapple on the side for that finishing touch. Pssst…if you poke a teeny-tiny umbrella into your pina colada nice cream, you will find yourselves in Hawaii, people!
16. Green Smoothie nice cream
So you think nice cream is only a fruity affair? Well, think again. This green smoothie nice-cream recipe is power-packed, loaded with veggies and will ensure your bunnies get all those essential nutrients too. Hurrah! Get a hold of a bunch of green leafy spinach to puree, frozen banana and full-fat coconut milk, and simply let the blitzer do its thang! It’s that easy-peasy! You can even dunk in other veggies too, like carrots, beetroot and sweet potato – harder veg would require steaming or boiling till soft in texture before use (cooled too).
17. Oatmeal Superfood Breakfast Sundae
Here’s a breakfast for champions, and who wouldn’t want to start their day on a sweet note? We say this Oatmeal superfood breakfast sundae is your secret for energetic littlies all day long! You’ll need to start by prepping some oatmeal with rolled oats, chia seeds, vanilla, stevia, and non-dairy milk. Make the berry syrup by microwaving frozen blueberries and chia seeds for 30-60 seconds. Lastly, you’ll need to blitz frozen bananas and raspberries into a creamy soft-serve consistency. For plating, take a bowl or a mason jar, dunk in a dollop of cooled oatmeal, followed by a scoop of nice-cream and syrup. Delish! Shower some love over your masterpiece with chopped walnuts and cacao nibs for garnishing. Voila!
So there you have it! We’ve just gone bananas over nice cream with this overhaul of delicious and easy recipes for you to try at home. Have any fancy nice cream recipes up your sleeve? Drop us a message and let us know. Happy blitzing!
