Get ready to indulge in the ultimate frozen treat with Chunky Monkey Ice Cream! The creamy banana base, studded with walnuts and chocolate chips, will transport you to ice cream heaven. It's the perfect way to cool down and satisfy your sweet cravings.
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Chunky monkey ice cream is the ultimate frozen delight that combines the best of bananas, walnuts, and chocolate chips. Whether you're lounging by the pool, having a movie night, or just craving a sweet treat, this ice cream is perfect.
It's time to give in to the chunky monkey temptation and treat yourself to a dessert that'll make you go bananas with delight!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- This recipe is straightforward and easy to follow, making it accessible even for novice ice cream makers.
- While the recipe itself is fantastic, you can easily customize it to suit your preferences.
- Whether it's a summer gathering, a cozy night in, or a special treat for yourself, chunky monkey ice cream is a versatile dessert that fits any occasion.
- There's something truly special about homemade ice cream. Plus, you have control over the ingredients.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Ripe Bananas: The star ingredient of this recipe, ripe bananas provide natural sweetness and a creamy texture.
- Heavy Cream: Adds richness and creaminess.
- Whole Milk: Adds a touch of creaminess and helps balance the richness of the heavy cream.
- Granulated Sugar: Sugar not only enhances the sweetness but also plays a crucial role in the texture and freezing point of the ice cream.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and a hint of warmth to the ice cream, enhancing the overall flavor.
- Chopped Walnuts: The chopped walnuts provide a crunch and nutty flavor to the ice cream.
- Semisweet Chocolate Chips: Brings bursts of chocolatey goodness to each bite.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mashed bananas, heavy cream, whole milk, sugar, and vanilla extract until well combined.
Step 2: Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and churn about 25-30 minutes.
Step 3: In the last 5 minutes of churning, add the chopped walnuts and semisweet chocolate chips to the ice cream maker, allowing them to mix in well.
Step 4: Transfer the ice cream to an airtight container and freeze until firm, at least 2 hours.
NOTE: You can print the FULL recipe with all ingredients & detailed instructions below!
Expert Tips
- Ripe Bananas. Make sure to use ripe bananas for this recipe. They should have brown spots on the peel, indicating that they are at their peak sweetness.
- Airtight Freezing. Once the ice cream has reached the desired consistency in the ice cream maker, transfer it to an airtight container for freezing. This helps prevent ice crystals from forming and maintains the creamy texture of the ice cream.
- Soften Before Serving. After freezing the ice cream for at least 2 hours, allow it to sit at room temperature for a few minutes before scooping. This softens the ice cream slightly, making it easier to serve.
Variations
- Cookie Dough: Add chunks of edible cookie dough to your chunky monkey ice cream. Fold in the chunks of cookie dough during the last few minutes of churning.
- Caramel: Drizzle caramel sauce into the ice cream maker during the last few minutes of churning to create ribbons of caramel throughout the ice cream.
- Peanut Butter: Incorporate peanut butter into your chunky monkey ice cream by swirling it into the ice cream during the last few minutes of churning. You can use smooth or crunchy peanut butter, depending on your preference.
- Espresso: Infuse your chunky monkey ice cream with a coffee kick by adding a shot of espresso or strongly brewed coffee to the mixture before churning.
Storing
Transfer the freshly churned ice cream into an airtight container. To provide an extra layer of protection against freezer burn, press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the ice cream before sealing the container. Freeze for 1-2 months.
Recipe FAQ's
It's best to use ripe bananas for this recipe as they provide natural sweetness and a creamy texture. Frozen bananas may alter the texture and flavor of the ice cream.
Absolutely! Feel free to swap walnuts with your favorite nuts like pecans, almonds, or even peanuts.
While an ice cream maker yields the best results, you can still make a no-churn version of chunky monkey ice cream. Combine the mashed bananas, heavy cream, whole milk, sugar, and vanilla extract in a bowl. Whip them together until well combined and slightly thickened. Then, fold in the chopped walnuts and chocolate chips. Transfer the mixture to a freezer-safe container and freeze for several hours, stirring every 30 minutes to break up ice crystals until it reaches the desired consistency.
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Chunky Monkey Ice Cream
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 ripe bananas mashed
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
- ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mashed bananas, heavy cream, whole milk, sugar, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and churn about 25-30 minutes.
- In the last 5 minutes of churning, add the chopped walnuts and semisweet chocolate chips to the ice cream maker, allowing them to mix in well.
- Transfer the ice cream to an airtight container and freeze until firm, at least 2 hours. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Ripe Bananas: Make sure to use ripe bananas for this recipe. They should have brown spots on the peel, indicating that they are at their peak sweetness.
- Airtight Freezing: Once the ice cream has reached the desired consistency in the ice cream maker, transfer it to an airtight container for freezing. This helps prevent ice crystals from forming and maintains the creamy texture of the ice cream.
- Soften Before Serving: After freezing the ice cream for at least 2 hours, allow it to sit at room temperature for a few minutes before scooping. This softens the ice cream slightly, making it easier to serve.
- Transfer the freshly churned ice cream into an airtight container. To provide an extra layer of protection against freezer burn, press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the ice cream before sealing the container. Freeze for 1-2 months.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
Enjoy!
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