If you haven’t heard of banana soft serve, you’re missing out. It’s basically just a banana thrown into the food processor or a blender(even a magic bullet will work) with a tablespoon or two of milk to get it going and blend. And what comes out is an amazing creamy, ice cream-like treat. You can add cocoa powder, vanilla, other fruit, even peanut butter and other nut butters. I even add a tiny bit more milk to make an amazing milkshake. This ice cream cake is just a variation of banana soft serve. You can make a flavor separately if you don’t want to make a cake. I would suggest cutting the recipe down to one banana per one serving. The ice cream also stores well in the freezer although it doesn’t maintain its soft serve consistency but it does stay soft enough to scoop and eat immediately out of the freezer.
I know this recipe contains a lot of bananas. We usually try to buy many more bananas than we need for the week and then freeze whatever is left over on the following grocery day. You can also search the discount produce bin for spotty or brown bananas, although I find that very brown bananas have a very strong banana flavor when frozen which I don’t really like so I choose to use less ripe bananas that are usually just a little spotted. I peel them and throw them into a Ziploc bag in the freezer. When ready to blend up my ice cream I chop the frozen banana using a large knife into smaller, easier to blend pieces.
Strawberry Layer
- 1 cup frozen strawberries
- 1 1/2 large frozen over ripe bananas
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 C almond or other non dairy milk, plus more if needed
Vanilla Layer
- 2 large frozen over ripe bananas
- 2 tbsp vanilla
- 1/2 C almond or other non dairy milk
Chocolate Layer
- 2 large frozen over ripe bananas
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 1/4 C cocoa powder, or more to taste
- 1/2 C almond or other non dairy milk
Line a loaf pan with saran wrap and set aside. To assemble, blend each flavor separately adding the frozen bananas first and blending until crumbly and no large pieces remain. In the strawberry flavor blend the strawberries with the bananas. Add the vanilla and milk and blend until smooth adding the cocoa powder in the chocolate layer at this point. Pour the first layer in the bottom and spread out till flat and smooth out as best you can. Put in the freezer for at least 30 minutes. Prepare the next layer and pour over top, spreading evenly again. Repeat for the final layer.
To remove from the pan you may need to put an inch or two of hot water in your sink and place the pan in the sink for 5-10 seconds before inverting on a plate. Then, slice with a large sharp knife. I find that my serrated bread knife works best. Store covered in the freezer up to 2 weeks.
Have a great weekend!
{ 39 comments… read them below or add one }
I love all the layers! Variety is the best
This is such a great recipe. Bookmaking it. Thanks so much for sharing. Hope you’re having a great weekend.
Blessings, Kristy
kristy recently posted..Spreadable Pineapple Jam
This cake looks beautiful! I’ve always wanted to make ice cream cake and this recipe is just perfect. Thanks!!
This is such a great recipe, Heidi! I never would have thought to make a neopolitan cake from banana soft serve. This would be perfect for memorial day
I do the same with my bananas – freezing the leftovers!
Jess@Healthy Exposures recently posted..WIAW 2
The possibilities are endless. We haven’t even finished this one and I’m dreaming up ideas for the next one
I have never made or ate anything like this but it looks absolutely delicious and I am sure it will be a hit around here over the summer, thank you for sharing.
mmm, I honestly never thought of making a banana soft serve layered cake! I love banana soft serve, so will def be trying this one soon!
Bonny recently posted..Greenhouse- oh Greenhouse
Next time you’re over you can try a slice
soooo good looking, and vegan! wow! you are so creative!
Every time I remember that you’re 23, you have two kids, you’re an amazing photographer and such a creative chef, I am blown away by you
Averie (LoveVeggiesandYoga) recently posted..Fantastic Food Finds
Aw, thank you Averie!
Oh wow, this is so creative! So siple, but it really looks fancy! I have to try this for sure:)
Thank you! I can’t wait to experiment some more
This is so creative and pretty, I love it!
Thank you!
That sound you just heard was my mind being blown. Apparently I’ve been totally uncreative with my banana soft-serve situation – the most I’ve ever done is add peanut butter (not that that can ever be a bad thing). I really want to try this!
Mmmm, I love adding peanut butter. And other nut butters
I just love banana soft serve, haha!
Amazing! I’m going to make this today!
You.Are.Amazing.
Enough said
Ari@ThE DiVa DiSh recently posted..Treadmill Workout & Detox Friendly Gluten Free Muffins
Just a stunning dessert….and I bet it’s yummy, too! Wonderful for this summer~
Liz recently posted..Bacon and Eggs and Asparagus Salad
What a terrific idea, using bananas for a dairy free dessert! This reminds me of the neapolitan ice cream I used to have as a kid. Now I have something I can make for my dairy allergic child. Thank you!
Jeanette recently posted..Easy Avocado Smoothie – Basic and Elegant Avocado Mousse with Strawberry Puree
I’m so glad! I hope you all enjoy it!
Apparently summer hits the town so thanks a lot for recipe for lovely and colourful vegan ice-cream
Joanna goes vegan recently posted..Swiss chard soup
yay! neopolitan ice cream reminds me of my childhood – and vegan! so cool!
I wish I could have this, it looks so good! But I HATE bananas. The smell makes me gag.
Aw, that’s too bad. My husband likes them when they’re fresh but doesn’t like them made into anything so I understand.
Wow this looks delicious! I can’t wait to try it! =)
Silly question I know but thought I had to ask…..My youngest is allergic to bananas…and LOTS of other things, including dairy. So with that, is there another fruit or substitute that you might know of to do this very same thing with? Thanks for your ideas, LOVE Your cooking!
I’ve been thinking about this since you commented and I really can’t think of anything
I’m really sorry. I do know that you can use full fat coconut milk to make really nice dairy free ice cream but I don’t know of any other fruit you can puree that would be as creamy as a banana.
Wow–this looks incredible! You are brilliant.
Maryea {Happy Healthy Mama} recently posted..Strawberry-Tomato Salsa
Thank you Maryea!
What a great recipe! Thanks for the inspiration
veggie wedgie recently posted..Chocolate Coconut Candy
Wow! Found this recipe via’ Sweet On Veg’, this ice cream looks so Delish and easy to make, definitely going to try it soon.
Preeti recently posted..Sweet Bites and Savoury Crackers from Raw Delights
ah! quick question. I want to make this right now so I can throw it in the freezer before going to sleep… can I do this with non-frozen bananas then freeze it?
I’ve never tried that and I really have no idea. If you do try it let me know if it works. If the texture is weird you can always cut it up into pieces and blend it again.
this is such a brilliant idea! i’ve seen lots of variation of banana soft serve, but this is by far the most creative.
emily recently posted..a conglomeration of randomness
Love the post. I’m a big ice cream nut, so I may have to give this a whirl
Matthew “mmWine” Horbund recently posted..Sipping Chardonnay – Franciscan 2009
I am in the process of making this now. I have the first layer which i did as strawberry in the freezer now. It tastes so good and my husband is really excited to eat it. ( and he LOVES dairy ice cream).
Made this last night and tried it today (; so good!
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