Chocolate Banana "ice Cream"

[BunnyLove 28]

I posted this originally in response to a question about ice cream, then decided it really should be here. It's an ice cream substitute that's good for those who can have whole fruits. All it takes is a food processor, but an ice cream maker would be great to give it a better consistency.

2-3 large, very ripe/black bananas

Good-quality cocoa to-taste

1 teaspoon vanilla

Sweetener to-taste (optional)

Leave the bananas until they're very black but not rotten, to ensure that they're as sweet as possible. Peel them, cut them into 3-4 pieces each, place on a cookie sheet and freeze solid.

Add the frozen bananas to the food processor 1/2 at a time, blending until they're completely creamed. Add the vanilla and 1-1/2 tablespoons cocoa, blending until thoroughly mixed. Taste, then add more cocoa and/or sweetener as needed. It should have a consistency similar to soft-serve ice cream.

If you add it to an ice cream maker and process per the machine's instructions, it should become airier and creamier as it's processed. Either way, it's an excellent dessert that's full of Vitamins and you don't have to tell anyone how good for you it is!

Here's the rough nutrition information. It's based on 1/2 cup of mashed banana and a tablespoon of cocoa.

Calories: 112

Fat: 1.1 grams

Saturated fat: .6 grams

Carbs: 28.6 grams

Fiber: 4.7 grams

Sugar: 13.9 grams

Protein: 2.3 grams