"Nice Cream" Sundae

The banana is truly a magical food. It is so versatile, portable, nutrient-rich, and is still gentle on our stomachs. For many Crohn's patients, bananas are a staple on the grocery list, and I am no exception.

I started making these "Nice Cream" sundaes in 2014 when I was celebrating my birthday just 8 days before my partial colectomy. At the time, I was on a mostly-liquid diet (except for the occasional bowl of mashed potatoes or mashed bananas), and I still wanted to celebrate my birthday with friends as best as I could. So I decided to make "nice cream" out of frozen bananas because I knew I could tolerate it and it would be fun for others to create their own sundaes.

I used to have a Dole brand "Yonanas" frozen fruit soft serve maker, but after a couple of moves and limited cupboard space, I decided to donate it and just stick with my tried-and-true food processor. So don't worry, you do not need a fancy gadget to make these!

The other great thing about these sundaes is that you can top them with whatever goodies you desire, or keep them plain. This is a delicious, dairy-free, gluten-free, refined sugar-free treat that can be enjoyed by all!

Makes 4 servings

“Nice Cream” sundae ingredients

• 4 ripe bananas, peeled and sliced into 1-inch rounds, frozen
• 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk or oat milk
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Optional toppings:

• Cacao nibs
• Almond butter
• Peanut butter
• Unsweetened coconut flakes
• Caramel
• Chocolate sauce
• Sliced almonds

Directions for "Nice Cream" sundae

1. Add sliced frozen banana, milk, and vanilla extract to a food processor and blend until smooth.
2. Spoon into a bowl and top with desired toppings.
3. Enjoy immediately.

Crohn's and ulcerative colitis recipes

When it comes to cooking with IBD, we're all working from a different set of ingredients. Food sensitivities and dietary restrictions vary greatly from person to person, and there is no one diet recommended for Crohn's or ulcerative colitis. Check out our full list of recipes for more ideas – all from people who cook, eat, and live with IBD!