
We have been having a crazy spring heatwave here in LA so all my thoughts have been on frosty smoothies, cool bevies and creamy frozen treats. This vegan, blender-made, Almond Butter, Caramel Swirled, Vanilla Bean-Chocolate Chip Ice Cream is perfect for a cool down dessert! Made using homemade coconut sugar caramel, creamy peanut or almond butter, vanilla bean flavor and a banana ice cream base, this dreamy vegan treat is something you can feel good about!
I used vanilla bean powder, but a fresh vanilla bean (the seeds scraped from the inside) works too! - split vanilla bean:
Blended. I love making vegan ice cream by using my Vitamix










Linda says
Hello Kathy! Please please please could you post this recipe again?
Linda says
Hi Kathy, I've made this before and it's amazing, so I wanted to make it again, but the recipe seems to have disappeared? Or am I blind?! Good luck with the last weeks of your pregnancy and enjoy every second of everything (I have 3 kids)!
Kristy says
Which brand of vanilla bean powder do you use and/or recommend?
Kathy Patalsky says
The one I bought and loved was from Williams & Sonoma
Heather Forte says
Help!! My family is allergic to bananas...is there anything that I can use to substitute for the bananas??
Heidi Nazarudin says
Okay sold. I don't make anything usually but this one is a winner.
CLC says
Oh man! This looks so good! I'm so bummed b/c I'm allergic to bananas π
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
Goodness gracious, one giant yum! Craving some treats right now!
Christine (Run Plant Based) says
This looks amazing, I want this now even though I just had lunch. π Thanks!
Katherine says
YUMM. My favorite smoothie/dessert (doubles as whatever I want it to be that day..duh!) is frozen banana, peanut butter, coconut milk (full fat,) and chocolate chips (sometimes with my "chocolate shell" made of coconut oil and melted chocolate chips too..) I definitely need to try this, and I can't wait to see the second recipe in the installment! π
sophie says
Wow this looks SO good! I love your site! I made your Green Tower Power Salad the other day - amazing. I'm relatively new to eating full vegan, but it's been something I've been toying with for ages. I've managed to become anemic though so I was wondering how you sustain your iron levels? Any tips would be much appreciated! π
Emily K. says
Wow! I am blown away! I have heard of lots of banana based ice creams but yours looks by far the most yummy! I just love learning all of these simple recipes from your wesbite that still deliver fully on taste and make vegan food something to be proud of eating and cooking!
keep on blogging and making great food!
Em π
The Vegan Cookie Fairy says
I'm salivating. It's not even 9am and I am salivating over ice cream. What have you done to me?!!
RockMyVeganSocks says
Holy crap! I just about fell off my chair when I saw this. I never had Ben & Jerry's, but I used to be a sucker for Haagen Dazs. We were having pretty high temperatures in NorCal too... it's cooler now. Wish I would have seen this a couple of days ago.
Oh who am I kidding? Who needs heat for a fun treat?
Nik. E says
I'm a vegan and have been for 5 years but if people want to eat Ben and Jerry's or French fries or whatever there should be no guilt associated. It's FOOD it's not supposed to induce guilt and as much as I love your posts and recipes, as a recovered ED patient I just really don't think it's okay for someone as skinny as you to even say that. It's very offensive. I'm not trying to attack you I appreciate everything you do for animals and vegan ism I just think you should really think about how important looks have become to people, to the point where they do feel guilt or eat dry lettuce only. This looks delicious though.
Emily K. says
With all do respect I think you are being a bit unfair. Regardless of Kathy's body, I think she is just trying to use a witty way to describe the benefits of her recipe. Besides, lots of people, healthy or overweight I'm sure have had ice cream binges and have felt kinda nasty afterwards. Im sure if they have the same craving this recipe would be a much better than unhealthy ice cream. She's not trying to encourage people to starve themselves so don't worry.
Laura says
I think you're spinning her words a little unfairly here. Feeling a little "guilty" after downing a pint of Ben & Jerry's is pretty common behavior (beating yourself up/dwelling on it for days, however is problematic), regardless of the person's relationship with food. Calling this recipe a healthier alternative to Ben & Jerry's has everything to do with the nutrient-packed (and cruelty-free) ingredients and nothing to do with the calories/fat/etc. Kathy always promotes healthy eating with TONS of indulgence, so I think you may be reading into something that isn't there.
Crystal Elston says
Looks so good.The texture almost reminds me more of a gelato - has a nice creamy look to it. Nice job.
John Hartil says
Wow - awesome
marlies says
sometimes when i try to blend really thick green smoothies, my vitamix requires a lot of tamping for things to blend...do you ever find that you need to do that? in particular i wonder about this recipe, because i would LOVE to try it! my mouth is watering all over my laptop π
Kathy Patalsky says
Oh yes I use my Vitamix tamper 90% of the time I make anything. For thick shakes it is a must!
marlies says
oh good! i'm so glad to know it's not just me! Nice to have perspective from the smoothie expert! π
realfoodbydad says
I have never tried anything like this, and banana based? So crazy perfect, especially for a day like today. We've got this heat here too in OC. I seriously can't wait to (attempt to) make this for my boys. Have a great weekend.
Natalie @ Feasting on Fruit says
I never would have guessed this one was banana based when I first saw the picture! It looks like it could be right out of a BJ's pint, which I too remember eating by the pint...and the sickness/guilt that shortly follows π So many mix-ins I love it!
Kathy Patalsky says
Thanks Natalie! Yes decadent banana based ice cream is possible ! π
Kathy Patalsky says
Thanks Caitlin!
Kelly says
This looks sooooo good! We love to make banana ice cream here, but I have never made one this decadent! Yum.
Kathy Patalsky says
Yes this one was nonbeing those "everything needed" blends! π