Step-by-Step Instructions for One-Ingredient Ice Cream

Creamy ice cream from just one ingredient.

Remember this amazingly creamy ice cream with just one ingredient? Well, in our eagerness to tell you all about it, we didn't give you very detailed instructions. Here, for those of you asked, are step-by-step instructions for making super-creamy, super-easy ice cream from just one thing.

That mystery ingredient, of course, is banana! The smidgen of fat in bananas makes a magic trick when they are frozen and blended up. They turn creamy instead of crumbly, with a smooth texture any home ice cream chef would love to have in their frozen treats.

Here's a step-by-step slideshow of how to do it. The major tips can be summed up as:

• Peel your bananas first.
• Cut them into small pieces.
• Freeze for just 1-2 hours on a plate.
• Blend, blend, blend - scraping down the bowl when they stick.
• Enjoy the magic moment when they turn into ice cream!

• See the original post: How To Make Creamy Ice Cream with Just One Ingredient!

More Quick Ice Creams:
• Fresh Peach Frozen Yogurt with Only Four Ingredients
• Recipe Review: Rick Bayless' Dairy Free Avocado Ice Cream
• Almost-Instant Sweet Wine Ice Cream
• Quick Treat: How To Make a Perfect Ice Cream Sandwich

(Images: Faith Durand)

Comments (23)

I add PB2 (i am sure regular peanut butter would work fine too) and cocoa powder and it is even more delicious!

posted by lellison24 on October 1st 2009 at 4:31pm
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No wonder this wasn't working for me. I would freeze overnight and then scream when my blender wouldn't budge.

posted by zaky on October 1st 2009 at 4:38pm
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Does it taste like bananas?

posted by spossberg on October 1st 2009 at 4:42pm
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I made one-ingredient ice cream a bit ago, and added some wildflower honey to the mix. It's pretty delicious.

posted by happiness on October 1st 2009 at 4:57pm
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This looks amazing, I can't wait to try it! Thanks for the visuals, seeing something always encourages me to actually do it!

posted by Kidding on October 1st 2009 at 5:07pm
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I once added a tablespoon of Chocolate-Hazelnut hot cocoa mix (had a tin of it in my pantry) in with the banana - oh, wow! It was beyond amazing!!

posted by jndhome on October 1st 2009 at 5:16pm
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hello I'm Portuguese, I like the themes of your page.

posted by celinha on October 1st 2009 at 5:52pm
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I love this recipe with maple syrup glazed walnuts. After you make the ice cream, toast some walnuts in a pan over medium heat for about three minutes or until fragrant. Next, remove from heat and pour on a tablespoon or so of good maple syrup. Toss the nuts to coat and sprinkle with coarse salt. These pair perfectly with the cool creamy banana!

posted by uptownmo on October 1st 2009 at 6:27pm
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I JUST made this and was wigging out because I didn't cut my bananas small enough. Oh well, chunky ice cream it is. Turns out my impulse to check my favorite blogs every 5 minutes isn't wrong after all!

posted by gourmandizzy on October 1st 2009 at 6:33pm
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My food processor is kind of weak, so I had to add a teeny bit of milk to help it blend better... worked like a charm!

posted by irry on October 1st 2009 at 6:44pm
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thank you - i was wondering how to do it!

posted by Joan in SB on October 1st 2009 at 8:42pm
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This is helpful. I have some slightly overripe 'nanas in the kitchen right now. I'll try it this weekend.

posted by Charlotte on October 2nd 2009 at 5:30am
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I spy some Jeni's ice cream in your freezer ... mmm!

posted by birdie_dc on October 2nd 2009 at 7:54am
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Can you do it with a blender- not a food processor?

posted by bkk on October 2nd 2009 at 8:21am
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Sounds delicious...how about serving it like this:

http://donkeehouse.com/?p=1439

posted by bitdot on October 2nd 2009 at 9:00am
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After the first post, I managed to make mine in a blender with bananas that were frozen whole for several days.

I just used a knife to peel the bananas and cut them up, and then I needed to add a bit of milk. But it turned out just fine, probably just a bit more hassle.

Went GREAT with a chocolate martini.

posted by asinner on October 2nd 2009 at 9:23am
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I'm thinking ice cream sandwiches made from this and two of the bacon & peanut butter cookies from Joy the Baker's site... we'll call it The Elvis.

posted by Bruce on October 2nd 2009 at 9:32am
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Oh my gosh, Bruce, that is brilliant.

posted by maggie (p/c) on October 2nd 2009 at 10:36am
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I also pulled it off in a blender with several-days-frozen bananas. They were already cut into chunks and I didn't need to add anything else...just took the lid off and pushed the chunks down with a spoon.

posted by ladidi on October 2nd 2009 at 12:07pm
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Tres Delicious! Just plain banana was delightful. Topping it w/ some warm sauted banana & sweetened mascarpone was heaven!!

posted by obrett on October 2nd 2009 at 8:39pm
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This looks soooo yummy, and such a great idea if you have some ripe bananas. I was thinking a bit of nutella might be good mixed in with this. my boyfriend can't wait to try this either. :)

posted by jennkol on October 3rd 2009 at 9:32am
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This is making me drool so bad.

posted by RLB on October 4th 2009 at 1:29pm
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Does this work with anything besides bananas?

posted by lex2190 on October 5th 2009 at 2:35pm
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