Who knew that this chocolate avocado ice cream could be so creamy without a drop of regular milk or cream? No granulated sugar, either. Thank you to California Avocados for helping me share this recipe with you.
We racked up plenty of “firsts” this past weekend. The first weekend in our new eastside Seattle community as a family, the first visit with my parents in our new hometown when they came over from Victoria to see us, the first Father’s Day spent with my Dad in 22 years (living in separate countries will do that), the first birthday celebration with my mum in a long time and M’s (our eldest son) first tournament with his new soccer team. Whew!
The other “first” this week was the first pool day of the season. Even though we are now in a cooler climate (no more 90- and 100-degree Utah days for this Pacific Northwest-blooded gal), summertime weather has arrived and my boys want nothing more than to spend every waking minute in the water. Pool days mean two things: happy kids and ice cream treats. Because, really, who can resist a dish or cone full of softened, dripping ice cream on a hot day?
When my friends at California Avocados challenged me to come up with an ice cream recipe using avocados as the star ingredient, I was more than ready to pull out the ice cream maker and set to work. There’s something exciting about discovering a brand new way to use an ingredient that you’ve loved forever. I’ve know for awhile that California avocados can be used as healthy fat replacements in baking, standing in for more traditional ingredients such as butter and oil. But ice cream? My brain hadn’t traveled that far yet.
I always forget how easy it is to make ice cream. For this recipe, I blended together 5 ingredients, chilled the mixture for a couple of hours, then processed it in the ice cream maker before throwing in some chunks of chocolate to finish things off. Instead of cream and whole milk, I swapped in avocados and unsweetened almond milk (you could also use coconut milk). Maple syrup replaced the usual portion of granulated sugar.
You won’t believe the creaminess of avocado ice cream until you experience it for yourself. The blender mixture comes out perfectly thick; then, once processed in the ice cream maker, the texture of the chilly mixture rivals any premium ice cream you can buy. Since California avocados are in season through September, I’ll be making this ice cream over and over again until then!
Other health avocado recipes:
Cookin' Canuck's Quinoa Avocado Breakfast Bowl
Cookin' Canuck's Avocado Curry Rice Noodles with Shrimp
Sally's Baking Addiction's Blood Orange, Avocado, Quinoa & Kale Salad
Goodie Godmother's Vegan Breakfast Enchiladas
Away From the Box's Stuffed Avocado
Chocolate Chunk Avocado Ice Cream Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ California avocados pitted and peeled
- 1 ¾ cups unsweetened almond milk
- ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ounces dark 60% chocolate, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Place the bowl of an ice cream maker in the freezer for at least 24 hours, or according to manufacturer’s directions.
- Place the California avocado and almond milk into a blender and puree until smooth.
- Add the cocoa powder, maple syrup and vanilla extract. Blend until smooth, scraping down the sides of the blender as needed.
- Transfer to a large measuring cup with a spout, cover and chill for 2 hours.
- Pour the avocado mixture into the ice cream maker and process until the ice cream reaches the desired consistency. In the last 5 minutes, add the chopped dark chocolate.
- If you would like the ice cream to be firmer, transfer to a freezer-friendly container and place in the freezer. Before serving, leave on the counter to defrost until easy to scoop.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclosure: This post contains links to my Amazon affiliate page. Any revenue made from sales through these links helps to support this blog. Thank you!
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Rachel - A Southern Fairytale
I love, love, love this recipe Dara! It's amazing what you can do with avocados! Enjoy all the firsts xoxo
Rachel @ Rachel Cooks
This looks so creamy and perfect!
Melanie | Melanie Makes
I can't wait to give this ice cream a try - summer is the perfect excuse!
Carolyn
I just made some avocado ice cream too! Yours looks heavenly.
Jenny Flake
This sounds just lovely!!!
Jen @ The Weary Chef
I hjave some avocados sitting in the counter! This sounds heaven! Can't wait to try!
Shawn @ I Wash You Dry
This looks fantastic! I love that you added dark chocolate at the end!
Justine | Cooking and Beer
I've had avocado ice cream, but I have never made it! I need to make this happen ASAP! Love those chocolate chunks!
Sharon @ What the Fork Food Blog
you had me at avocado and ice cream! Love this recipe!Sounds seriously amazing.
Matt
You are a genius, healthy ice cream? Love this!
gerry @foodness gracious
wow, I really need to try avocado ice cream, I hear so many great things about it!
Sabrina
I love any excuse to get out the ice cream maker! Looking forward to this one!
Tessa @ Handle the Heat
What a creative way to enjoy ice cream without the indulgence! I'm going to pick up some California avocados on my next grocery run to recreate this!
Alison
I'm wanting to make this for my nephew this weekend. Will it stay fresh in the freezer for a week?
Michelle | A Latte Food
Ooh, I'm so intrigued by this recipe! It looks so rich and decadent!
Des @ Life's Ambrosia
Avocado ice cream? What a fun idea! Yum!
Stephannie
Welcome to Western WA! Best place in the Union.
Izzy Bruning
This looks amazing!
fabiola@notjustbaked
I'm loving that you made this chocolate chunk ice cream! Chocolate and avocado are so good together , but adding chocolate chunks makes this my favorite!