(Photo by Samantha De La O)

How-To: Sweet Summer Treats

By Maxine O’Loane

Soaking up the sun by day, bonfires at the beach by night, and temperatures way hotter than I’d like. Yup! Summer is officially here, and unfortunately so are its friends, heat and humidity. On the bright side though, what usually follows a long scorching day in the heat? That’s right, two of my favorite words, ICE CREAM! I understand we all want to keep our “summer bodies” in-tact for as long as possible (or at least that’s what I’ve heard) which is why you’re going to love this list of homemade ice cream sweets to help you beat the heat. Now, I’m sure you’re probably thinking, “I don’t have time to make my own ice cream.” Or “Why should I make it if I can just buy it at the store?” You’ve got a point but, these recipes won’t take as long as you think, and I can personally guarantee that they’ll be just as tasty as anything you’d buy at the store. And might I add, there is no better satisfaction than taking some of these treats to a friend’s house and being able to proudly say “I actually made it myself” as your recipe becomes the new “talk of the town.” Here’s a few simple recipes with your name written all over it, so I hope you have your pen and paper ready.

VEGAN BANANA CASHEW ICE CREAM 

Ingredients:

• 4 bananas
• ½ cup of cashew halves (salted or unsalted)
• 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons coconut sugar (or brown sugar)
• 2 teaspoons of honey

Step 1

Cut the bananas into quarter sized pieces, put them in a bowl and freeze them overnight

Step 2

Take them out of the freezer and let them thaw out for a while

Step 3

After they’ve thawed out for a bit, put the bananas into a blender or food processor

Step 5

In a medium sized bowl add the cashews, vanilla extract, and the sugar

Step 6

Once you’ve processed the bananas pour them into the bow with the rest of the ingredients

Step 7

Finish it off by adding the honey by slowly mixing it into the ice cream

Step 8

Place the bowl in the freezer for anywhere from 4-6 hours and ENJOY!

COOKIES ‘N CREAM

Ingredients:

• 2 cups heavy cream
• Crushed or chopped Oreo cookies (you decide how much)
• ½ cup of sweetener (I prefer honey)

Step 1

Put the cream and sweetener in a blender, blend until its smooth and creamy

Step 2

Mix in the cookies

Step 3

Use a freezer safe container, and freeze it for 4-6 hours

Step 4

Grab a bowl, some friends and dive in!

ICE CREAM CAKE 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cream cheese
• 1 cup vanilla yogurt
• 3 tablespoons almond extract

Step 1

Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl

Step 2

Stir the ingredients until smooth

Step 3

Pour the ice cream mix into a glass bowl (or freezer safe container)

Step 4

Wait 3-4 hours then take it out

Step 5

Add some sprinkles, a little whipped cream and VOIA!

THIS ICE CREAM IS “WHEY” BETTER THAN YOU’D EXPECT

Ingredients:

• 1.5 scoop whey chocolate protein powder
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 tablespoon of peanut/almond/cashew butter
• Gallon Ziploc bag
• Smaller Ziploc bag
• Ice
• ½ cup table salt

Step 1

Mix the protein powder, almond milk and peanut butter in a blender

Step 2

When it’s a creamy consistency pour it into the smaller Ziploc bag

Step 3

Fill the larger bag about 2/3 up with ice

Step 4

Add ½ cup of table salt (or sea salt)

Step 5

Pour the ice cream mixture into the smaller bag, then place it into the larger bag

Step 6

Okay. Are you ready for your exercise for the day?

Once you’ve sealed both bags tightly, take a deep breath and…shake it for 5-7 minutes

. . . you still with me? You can do it, you’re almost there.

Step 7

As soon as it’s the consistency you want, remove the smaller bag and quickly rinse it off

Step 8

Now that you broke a sweat, you can enjoy your treat guilt free!