Ice cream is the cherry on top of the dessert sundae. In fact, ice cream is the most popular dessert in America. What makes a scoop so sinfully sweet? Most commercial ice creams are high in fat and loaded with added sugar.
Icy treats don’t have to be full of sugar and fat! While it’s true your pearly whites aren’t fond of sugar, they love calcium, a key nutrient for building and maintaining strong teeth and bones. And, if you don’t get enough calcium, you’re increasing your risk for gum disease.
So what’s a smile to do? Keep the calcium, cut the sugar and reduce the fat. Creating healthy ice cream may sound intimidating, but it’s easier than you think!
Make like a reporter and get the scoop on our favorite healthy ice cream recipes. And grab your umbrella – there may be a chance of sprinkles!
Go shorty, it’s sherbet day.
3-2-1 Raspberry Sherbet Recipe ~ Using a mix of fresh and frozen raspberries (3 cups), some cream (2 cups), some sugar (1 cup) with just a touch of lemon juice, TO DIE FOR!
~ Place the 3-2-1 mix of ingredients into a blender. You don’t have to have a fancy blender, any ol’ blender will do.
~ Puree until all ingredients are well blended and you get this creamy, luscious mixture.
~ Then follow your ice cream maker manufacturer’s instructions for sherbet.
Every day is sherbet day with fresh fruit and a few other healthy ingredients. Whip up a sorbet base and add your favorite frozen fruit. Delight your pearly whites, pick a sorbet star with a high water content such as pears or apples.
This split is B-A-N-A-N-A-S.
Banana Split Bites ~ A classic ice cream dessert gets mini for some bite size fun. And yes, there is actually a tiny scoop of ice cream tucked inside and underneath the whip cream of those little darlings.
~ Use firm bananas and cut into 1 inch sections. Leave the peel on for easy handling, and with a melon baller, dig a well in the middle of each banana section.
~ Melt chocolate in the microwave and dip the bottom portion of the banana in chocolate and then dip it once again in either sprinkles or chopped peanuts. To quickly harden the chocolate, place dipped bananas in the freezer for five minutes.
~ Fill each well with ice cream and top with whip cream and a cherry!
These banana split bites are tooth healthy twist on a summer classic. The dessert on a stick features fruit, nut, sprinkles and a coat of chocolate. Chocolate may not be sugar free, but it’s one of the best sweets for your teeth. It dissolves quickly in the mouth, which decreases the amount of time sugar touches your teeth.
Get your Greek on.
Greek Vanilla Bean Frozen Yogurt {Soft Serve Style} ~ 1/4 cup water, 2/3 cup sugar, 2 egg whites, 3 cups of plain Greek yogurt, cold and 1 vanilla bean, scraped (or 1 tsp vanilla bean paste)
~ In a saucepan over medium-high heat, bring water and sugar to a full boil about 90 seconds or until all the sugar has dissolved and you have a thick, clear syrup. Turn off heat!
~ Use a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites to soft peaks at medium-high speed. Reduce the speed to low and stream the hot sugar syrup slowly into the beaten egg whites. When you have added all the syrup, turn the mixer up to high and continue beating until the mixture forms a thick, glossy meringue and the sides of the bowl are no longer hot to touch, but just warm.
~ Fold the Greek yogurt and vanilla into the meringue until well incorporated. Transfer the mixture straight into the bowl of your ice cream maker and churn according to manufacturer’s instructions until frozen, but still soft-serve texture (not firm).
Greek yogurt is both low in fat and contains body enhancing probiotics. It’s simple to make your own Greek frozen yogurt and it’s so creamy, you won’t even notice the difference. This basic vanilla bean recipe is flavorful and packed with protein. Try it for yourself and Greek out!
Regardless of which treat you try, you won’t be able to top these unbeatable recipes. Well maybe with a little bit of hot fudge!
