I don’t know if any of you guys ever have espresso flavored gelato or mocha almond fudge ice cream, but coffee in ice cream is pretty amazing. Then, of course if you have some chocolate in there too that’s a major bonus. Coffee and chocolate make me quite happy, so I’m sure you can imagine that this easy mocha protein ice cream made me quite happy. Oh, yeah and it is only 120 calories per serving!
This recipe was something new that I have never tried before. First, I have never made a protein ice cream before. Second, I’ve never used bananas to make ice cream before. It may sound a little weird, but trust me on this. It’s amazing. The banana isn’t too overpowering and adds the perfect natural sweetness instead of adding a bunch of refined sugar like typical ice cream.
As most probably know, mochas have chocolate and coffee, so that’s exactly what this recipe has. For the chocolate flavor, I used Ascent chocolate casein protein, cocoa powder as well as some melted dark chocolate chips because you can never have too much chocolate.
One of the keys in making this ice cream sweet enough is having ripe bananas before you freeze them. The texture is a little more mushy and the sweetness is much stronger. I love to get a bunch of bananas and let them all get really ripe. Then I peel them and freeze them. That way you always have some bananas ready for nana ice cream or to add them into smoothie. I’m also a sucker for a chocolate banana protein smoothie after a workout.
Healthy Chocolate Mocha Protein Ice Cream
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Prep time:
Total time:
Serves: 8 servings
This healthy, easy chocolate mocha protein ice cream has the perfect combination of chocolate and coffee flavor and at only 120 calories per serving, it can’t be beat for dessert or a sweet snack anytime!
Ingredients
- 2 large ripe bananas, frozen
- 3/4 cup strong brewed coffee, chilled*
- 2 scoops [url href=”http://bit.ly/MacroChefMCC” target=”_blank”]Ascent chocolate casein protein powder[/url]
- 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips, melted (I used 53% cacao)
- 1 tbsp. coconut oil, melted
- 3 tbsp. unsweetened cacao powder
- 1 tbsp. honey (optional, depending how sweet you like it)
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a powerful blender or food processor. Process until a thick, creamy, smooth consistency forms. It may take a bit with the frozen bananas.
- Once blended, you can eat right there for soft serve, or you can freeze and eat later. If you freeze, you may want to set it out to thaw a little bit before eating so it’s not rock solid!
- Top with an extra sprinkle of cocoa powder or espresso powder and enjoy!
Serving size: 2/3 cup Calories: 120 Fat: 7 Carbohydrates: 14 Sugar: 7 Fiber: 2 Protein: 7
Notes
*If you don’t want the coffee flavor, you can just substitute an equal amount of preferred milk (dairy, almond, coconut, etc.) If you just don’t want the caffeine, it will still taste great with decaf coffee!
