Without diary or eggs, a roasted banana ice cream has big flavor from coconut milk, cinnamon and nuts.
By Hein van Tonder
This Vegan Roasted Banana Ice Cream must be the first vegan recipe for me here. There are many vegetarian recipes and as a happy meat eater I am always quite surprised how many vegetarian recipes I have done. Some of them are by far my favourite recipes, like the Aubergine Cheesecake, Sumac Roast Tomatoes and the totally delicious Thai Coconut Broccoli Soup. But this is certainly the first recipe where a main ingredient is a vegan alternative. 
I first came across the recipe in the New York Times and just had to try it. I have never made or cooked with cashew milk and was intrigued to see what the ice cream would be like without the usual eggs and cream custard base.
I did change the ingredients a bit.
There will be left over cashew milk but will keep for up to 4 days covered and refrigerated. Add the milk to your morning cereal or smoothies.
PrintRoasted Banana Ice Cream
Description
Without diary or eggs, a roasted banana ice cream has big flavor from coconut milk, cinnamon and nuts. Adapted from The New York Times.
Ingredients
- 200 grams (7 ounces) raw unsalted cashew nuts
- water for soaking
- 450ml (15 fluid ounces) water
- 4 medium large ripe bananas, peeled and sliced into half a centimeter slices
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 2 tbsp dark brown or muscovado sugar
- 1 pinch of salt
- 150 (5.3 ounces) grams sugar
- 4 tbsp water
- 4 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 x 400ml (13.5 ounces) tin coconut cream
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 50g (1.75 ounces) chopped walnuts, toasted (optional)
- 50g (1.75 ounces) dried banana chips (optional)
Instructions
- Make the cashew milk by placing the cashews in a bowl, add cold water and cover the nuts by a couple of centimetres
- Soak the cashews overnight
- Preheat the oven to 200 degrees C (392F)
- Drain the cashews and place in a blender with the 450ml water and blend until smooth
- Check the consistency and if necessary strain the cashew milk through a strainer
- Place the bananas, 2 tbsp coconut oil, brown/muscovado sugar and pinch of salt in a bowl and toss to coat
- Spread the bananas on a baking sheet and bake until caramelized for about 15 to 25 minutes and set aside to cool slightly
- Place the sugar and 4 tbsp water into a small saucepan and over medium heat stir until the sugar has dissolved
- Add the 4 tbsp coconut oil and teaspoon of salt and stir until combined
- Pour the sugar mixture into in a blender, add the coconut cream, 1 cup cashew milk, bananas (and all caramelised bits in the baking sheet), cinnamon and vanilla and blend until smooth
- Cover and refrigerate the ice cream base until chilled for about 3 hours
- Churn in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions
- At the end of churning, add toasted walnuts (if used) and churn until incorporated
- Transfer the ice cream to a suitable container and freeze
- Eat within 7 days with some dried banana chips if desired
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: Vegan
