I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! Satisfy your sweet tooth, and make one of these healthy alternatives to your favorite frozen treat.

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Ice cream is a widely loved treat. It’s used to celebrate special occasions, keep cool on a hot day or as a treat to satisfy a sweet tooth. However, sometimes you might want a treat that’s a little bit healthier. Here are three ice cream alternatives that can be a healthier choice, are just as delicious, and are made with real fruit. Plus, you can make them at home with the whole family!

Banana “Ice Cream”

• 4 bananas, sliced and frozen
• ¾ cup milk, any type (non-fat is the healthiest choice)
• 2 Tbsp. + 2 tsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
• 4 tsp. vanilla extract
• In a blender or food processor, combine the banana and milk. Add more milk for a “soft-serve” consistency.

Add the cocoa powder, adding more for a dark chocolate flavor. Add vanilla.

For different flavors, add in shredded coconut, slivered almonds, walnuts, cashews, cinnamon or peanut butter. Leave out the cocoa powder for a vanilla flavor. To make a strawberry flavored banana “ice cream,” use the below recipe.

Banana Strawberry “Ice Cream”

• 4 bananas, frozen
• 4 cups strawberries, frozen
• 1 cup skim milk
• 2 tsp. vanilla

Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy. Add more or less milk to produce desired consistency.

Strawberry Sherbet

• 1 16 oz bag frozen strawberries (or 3 cups chopped fresh strawberries)
• ½ cup sugar
• ½ to ¾ cup buttermilk
• 1 Tbsp. lemon juice

Combine strawberries and sugar in food processor or blender and pulse until finely chopped. Mix buttermilk and lemon juice together; slowly add to strawberries. Blend until smooth and creamy, adding more buttermilk mixture as necessary for desired consistency. Serve immediately or freeze in freezer, stirring occasionally.

Raspberry Sorbet

• 2 ½ cups (12 oz) fresh raspberries (fresh or frozen)
• 3 tablespoons honey or agave syrup

Combine raspberries and honey/agave in a food processor and blend on high speed until smooth.

If you use frozen raspberries, you may get sorbet immediately. Serve immediately or transfer to a container and keep in the freezer.

If using fresh or thawed raspberries, pour mixture into ice cream maker, and follow ice cream maker’s instructions. Serve immediately or transfer to container and keep in freezer.

Lemon Frozen Custard

• 1 can (12 oz) low-fat evaporated milk (chilled)
• 1 cup 1% milk
• 1 ½ cup sugar
• 1 Tbsp. lemon zest
• 2/3 cup fresh lemon juice (about 3 lemons)

Combine all ingredients in a blender or bowl. Milk mixture will thicken as soon as the lemon juice is added. Place in a shallow dish and freeze. Stir once or twice while freezing.

* This recipe needs a little milk fat to have a custardy texture. Non-fat milk freezes hard, more like a popsicle.

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This article was written by Kelsey Chappell, Family and Consumer Sciences Intern, and Melanie Jewkes, Utah State University Extension associate professor, Salt Lake County

 

Summer berries provide the perfect color palette for patriotic desserts. Try one of these healthier dessert options at your Fourth of July celebration this year.

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There will be plenty of hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and potato salad to celebrate America during the month of July. But what’s for dessert? Dessert can be an opportunity to introduce a few healthier options to a meal.

These recipes still have plenty of yummy about them, but are lighter in calories and higher in nutrients. Give one or more of them a try!

Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries

If you haven’t made these before, they are a must-try! Picture a beautiful red strawberry stuffed with cheesecake filling and topped with a blueberry! Can you think of anything more patriotic than a red, white and blue strawberry treat?  Find the recipe here.

Red, White and Blueberry Popsicles

July can be a scorcher. Cool off with these pretty and nutritious treats! Layer Greek yogurt, pureed blueberries and raspberries in a  popsicle mold, and voila!  A cold, patriotic treat. It will take a bit of time to mix and layer the treats, but it is worth it when you see the look of delight on people’s faces. Get the directions here.

Patriotic Parfait

Who doesn’t want their very own individual dessert? These super easy parfaits are pretty and colorful, and they have a fraction of the calories of a cake or dessert. It is as simple as layer, layer and layer! Find the recipe here, or try this customizable version.

Try making smaller version, or  “dessert shooter.” Smaller portion equals less calories, so it is a no-brainer! Simply layer plain or vanilla Greek yogurt with red and blue berries, topped with your favorite granola in small cup (this blogger uses beer flight cups). Try it with our homemade crispy granola.

Red, White & Blue Fruit Kabobs

Want to keep it even simpler? Make fruit kabobs with strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries. Alternate with white marshmallows, cubes of angel food cake, or a white fruit like dragonfruit, banana, honey dew or casaba melon.  Try it with this chocolate orange dipping sauce.

 

What are your favorite patriotic desserts?

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This article was written by Darlene Christensen, USU Extension associate professor, 435-277-2406, darlene.christensen@usu.edu