Smoothie Ice Cream is what happens when strawberries, blueberries, and bananas are blended into a frozen concoction so thick you can eat it with a spoon.
Ice Cream Smoothie
This ice cream smoothie was an accidental result of my not paying a lot of attention as I threw some of our favorite smoothie ingredients into the blender. Banana berry smoothies are always a win with my kids, so I expected thumbs up when they tasted this.
Their response was off the charts though. The kids LOVED this and declared it the following: “awesome,” “favorite breakfast food ever,” “better than regular ice cream,” and “just make this for our next dessert.” I was laughing so hard by the time the kids polished off their “ice cream breakfast.”
While I did not share their extreme level of enthusiasm or the inclination to call this mixed berry smoothie, “more delicious than ice cream,” it really is a delicious frozen treat. And I was especially happy to see the kids so excited over a healthy treat.
I made these smoothies twice more that month before sharing the recipe with you, just to make sure that the “ice cream” wasn’t a fluke and could be recreated easily. Side note here: I have a very powerful blender. If you do not have a very powerful blender, I recommend using a food processor to make this ice cream.
I have made ice cream smoothies many times over the past ten years and the kids (even the grown ones) still devour every drop from their bowls and glasses.
We also make this Pina Colada Smoothie and enjoy it as soft-serve ice cream. It’s another ice cream smoothie guaranteed to make everyone grin.
Mixed Berry Smoothie
You’ll need the following ingredients to make this recipe:
- milk
- frozen bananas
- frozen strawberries
- frozen blueberries
- honey, to taste
The need for honey (or alternate sweeteners) in this smoothie will depend on the sweetness of the frozen fruit – specifically the strawberries, as some frozen berries simply aren’t very sweet. Taste the smoothie before adding honey and determine if it is needed. Sometimes, we add a good bit of sweetener and other times, none at all.
Layer ingredients into the blender or food processor in the order listed above. Blend until smooth, stopping as needed to scrape the sides of the bowl or pitcher.
Serve immediately for a fun soft serve ice cream or place in the freezer for 30-45 minutes, for a more easily scooped ice cream.
If fully frozen, allow the smoothie to thaw on the counter for 20-30 minutes before serving. This will freeze almost completely solid within a few hours.
I prefer to drink my smoothies with a straw, so I thin this smoothie with an extra splash of milk in the blender and blend again till smooth. This will create a wonderfully thick milkshake consistency smoothie.
Oh, how we love our smoothies in the morning – or in the afternoon, or the evening. If you’re looking for a way to get more greens into your kids, try these Mango Banana Spinach Smoothies.
Orange juice, green grapes, a banana and a generous handful of spinach combine to make my kids’ Favorite Green Smoothie. If you are new to green smoothies, this is the place to start. This was the first green smoothie that I tried and my whole family has loved it from the start.
Pineapple and bananas, watermelon and basil, peaches, kiwi, there aren’t many fruits that I won’t happily add to our smoothies.
Berry Smoothie Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 2 cups milk almond milk or coconut milk
- 2 large frozen bananas
- 16-18 frozen strawberries
- 1 cup frozen blueberries
- 1 tablespoon honey adjust to taste
Instructions
- Layer ingredients into the blender or food processor in the order listed above. Blend until smooth, stopping as needed to scrape the sides of the bowl or pitcher.
- Serve immediately for a fun soft serve ice cream or place in the freezer for 30-45 minutes, for a more easily scooped ice cream.
Notes
Nutrition
{originally published 9/22/11 – recipe notes and photos updated 2/23/24}
Anne @ Quick and Easy Cheap and Healthy says
That does sound delicious! I really need to get a Vitamix.
Beth says
This looks fantastic – and so healthy! What a great treat!
Jenn says
I love accidents that turn out so good!!! YUM!
Helene says
I do that also with frozen fruits and yogourt. It so good and healthy.
Pam says
My daughter (who has a sore mouth from braces) would really love this!
Anncoo says
Love it! So healthy and yummy 🙂
hobby baker says
Lol, my girls prefer their smoothies thick enough to hold up a spoon and will call it "ice cream" to convey the texture they want. I'm like you, I want to drink it. So yup, I thin mine a bit after dishing out their portions. ☺
My Journey With Candida says
What a great mistake! Much healthier than giving them ice cream. Good Job Mom!
The Starving Student says
I love it when accidents turn out better than what you intended in the first place!
The Slow Roasted Italian says
Looks delicious and I am loving your bowls!
Dee at Deelicious Sweets says
How awesome is this! What a nifty mistake! My kids would love this!
Marjie says
I love it when kids adore the healthy foods!
Laura Jeanne says
Mary this looks wonderful, and what a healthy frozen treat. Love it!
Laura @ A Healthy Jalapeño
The Blonde Duck says
This reminds me of something I read in Ann Martin's biography where she talked about how her dad was trying to poach eggs but got distracted and overcooked them but it would up being a family favorite–stuck door eggs!
Words Of Deliciousness says
Yummy!!!
Dzoli says
Fabtatstic idea.What a colour;))
Loveandcalories says
OOoooh….lovely colour and texture….looks yummy yum!!
Mary says
Blonde Duck – this is too funny. "Stuck door eggs" sounds like something I made for years. I've happily converted now to lovely runny eggs. ha ha
Victoria says
It tastes so amazing, I could still see chunks of blueberry’s in the mixture
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad you like the frosting, Victoria!
Kimberly Jancsy says
Just a little bit allows the taste buds to enjoy longer thanks