Cool ideas you’ll love for the heat

Easy Summer fun recipe!

I hope you’ve all had a great week so far – the weekend is nearly here, and with temperatures soaring across the UK this week (yes, over 27°C and climbing!), it’s safe to say we’re all looking for ways to stay cool. What better way than with a bowl of fruity, refreshing, homemade nice-cream?

If you are in the UK (or anywhere else suddenly feeling the heat), I hope you’re staying safe, cool, and hydrated. When the sun turns up the temperature, it’s the perfect time to enjoy something fresh and naturally sweet – without reaching for the usual heavy ice creams, that generally just make you thirsty (tell me you’ve never needed to quench your thirst after eating ice-cream)?! Of course, this is where nice-cream comes in: a simple, homemade frozen dessert made from ripe bananas and your choice of fruits.

It’s creamy, satisfying, and totally dairy-free, plus, you don’t need a fancy blender to whip it up. Just mash, mix, and freeze! I’ve used a blend of homegrown strawberries, blueberries, and some mango for a vibrant burst of colour and flavour, but the beauty of nice-cream is how easy it is to swap in whatever you have to hand.

This is the kind of recipe that’s perfect for a quick cool-down, a healthy snack, or a light dessert. I’m excited for you to give it a go, and I’d love to hear what fruit combos you come up with!

The Natural Nice-Cream Recipe

Hopefully this is something you can make without making a special trip to the shops! Check out the alternative ideas after the recipe to make it even easier.

Print

Course: Dessert, Snack

Keyword: ice-cream, nice cream, summer desserts

Created by:: Laurena @LifeDietHealth

Gather

• 2-3 medium ripe bananas (the riper the bananas, the sweeter the ice-cream)
• 1 tablespoon chopped strawberries
• 1 tablespoon blueberries
• 1 tablespoon mango (chopped)

Prepare

1. Mash the bananas: Take 2-3 ripe bananas, peel, then slice or break them into chunks, and mash them directly in the container you’re freezing in. A fork or potato masher works well.

2. Add the fruit: Gently stir (or press) in, the strawberries and blueberries (fresh or frozen), plus the mango. Keep it chunky or mash a little if you want it smoother.

3. Mix it up: Stir everything together until evenly combined. Taste and adjust – want it sweeter? Add a drizzle of maple syrup or a few chopped dates.
4. Freeze: Pop the container in the freezer for at least 2 hours. For best texture, stir once after an hour to break up ice crystals.
5. Get ready: Let sit for 5-10 minutes before scooping. Enjoy as is, or top with crushed nuts, coconut flakes, or more fresh fruit.
6. Serve & Enjoy!

Variations & Tips

Swap your fruit up – try pineapple, peach, raspberries or a few extra berries if you don’t have mango. Fresh, frozen or tinned (drained) will all work well.
For a creamier texture, stir in a spoonful of coconut yoghurt or a splash of plant milk.
Make it more fun by adding cacao nibs, mixed spice, chopped mint, or a swirl of nut butter before freezing.
Make extra and freeze in small containers for easy individual portions.

What do I need?

Hopefully you already have everything you need to make this fruity frozen snack, but just in case, here are a few kitchen essentials you might find useful. These links take you straight to Amazon, where you can browse as usual. If you make a purchase through one of them, Amazon may give us a small commission – which helps cover the costs of running the website. Thank you so much if you do! You might like to check out: chopping boards, kitchen knives, freezer-safe containers, ice-cream scoops, and other helpful bits and pieces such as ice-cream serving bowls. Much appreciated!

Serving

Scoop your nice-cream into bowls or cones straight from the freezer. If it’s too firm to scoop, leave it to soften for a few more minutes at room temperature. Serve on its own, with some fresh fruit, a swirl of nut butter, or grating of chocolate, or a sprinkle of coconut to make it even more delicious. Great as a cooling summer snack, a fun dessert, or even a breakfast on warm mornings.

Storing

Keep your nice-cream in a sealed container in the freezer. It’s best eaten within a week for the best texture and flavour. If it’s frozen solid, let it sit out for 5–10 minutes before serving. You can also freeze in individual portions for quick and easy scooping.

Sharing

I’d love to see how you get on with this recipe! If you give it a try, please share your photos or any fun twists you add by tagging me @LifeDietHealth or using #LifeDietHealth on Instagram, Pinterest,  Facebook or X.

Leave me a comment below… I love to chat!

I hope to speak with you soon

Laurena x