Every chef has a few tricks up her sleeve apron.
One of mine is the Voluminous Oatmeal Trick.
Or the plump-up raisins trick, the melted-banana trick, and now: the “Sir Mix A Lot” ice cream trick. It might seem like making Vita-Mix ice cream is simple. Just throw a bunch of frozen fruit in the blender and go, right? But a lot of y’all have left comments lamenting the fact that your Vita-Mix ice cream attempts have turned out looking and tasting more like ice, slush, or soup. The problem? A lot of the Vita-Mix ice cream recipes I’ve seen call for a truckload of ice.
While this might make the finished product “look” like ice cream, the resulting flavor ends up tasting more like… well, ice, of course! Not exactly something to write home Ben&Jerry’s about. In general, it’s wise to be wary of any Vita-Mix ice cream recipes calling for tons of ice. There are two alternatives to making Vita-Mix ice cream that looks and tastes like the real thing (without all the “bad-for-you” ingredients). One is to use a bunch of frozen fruit, as opposed to ice.
For all of the different flavors, click here: Vitamix Ice Cream Recipes
Vitamix ice cream Trick
- Blend a smoothie (or you can even just mix some flavorings into milk).
- Pour the liquid into a bowl (or an ice cube tray works really well).
- Freeze, then remove from the bowl or tray and re-blend in the Vita-Mix (or your food processor or blender)
Two tips for any Vita-Mix ice cream:
1. Use an ice cream scoop (not a spoon) to serve, for a true “ice cream” look.
2. It helps to make at least 2 servings at once. You’ll get a creamier result.
Above, homemade Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream.
Brandie says
OMG. I wish I’d read this post before!! I’m just catching up – checked out today’s post and referred to here… I LOVE making ice cream in my Vita, but YEAH it’s SO icy!! Ack! Ooohhh..,,,,, I will try these!! 🙂 Thanks darlin, yet another fantastic idea from CCK *giggle*
Anita says
Katie you are a genius. I bot at Whole Foods some frozen greens mix: kale, collards, it’s all minced up. I sneak it in their smoothies in the AM. I’m aspiring to the Vita Mix for years. Only have the magic bullet so far.
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Aw thanks! 🙂
carin says
hi katie,
i got a vitamix for my bday saturday (will arrive this week) and am wondering what speed setting you use to blend your ice creams? thanks!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Aww happy birthday! I start out on low, then move the dial up slowly, and after about 10 seconds, I move it to maximum for a few seconds, squishing the tamper down as I blend :).
kaz says
hi does anybody have a good recipe for green tea ice cream using the vita-mix?
By the way what a cool site
thanks
K
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Aw thanks!
Maybe use the trick in this post to make your own? So make up some green tea (with water), then freeze it. Later add sweetener and nondairy milk or even coconut milk, and blend!
MJ says
i love green tea,coconut and redbean ice creams i just got a vitamix the day before i left for vacation and just got back last nite. i was dreaming of different icecreams to make as i had made a strawberry banana sorbet the nite before i left.
i would think for making the green tea ice cream you would need to use the macha green tea powder it can be pricey but is very concentrated and will give you the flavor you are looking for…as cck said mix the powder w water and freeze in ice cube trays then throw in the blender with your prefered sweetner and some coconut milk. Good luck..i am going to try this myself as soon as i get some more macha powder…my mouth is watering…lol
Gail says
I’ve had much success with one-ingredient vitamix ice creams. My most recent success was making the most wonderful mango sorbet with frozen mango I had cut up. The texture was perfect and the flavor was out of this world.
Melanie says
Great ideas! I made ice cream tonight for my kids, and my landlord’s son who doesn’t eat a whole lot of fruit (in my opinion). I put frozen whole strawberries and 2 bananas into the blender with a tbsp. of cocoa powder. DELICIOUS chocolate ice cream all the kids loved… it was so rich and creamy! No sloppy mess from ice, and no extra liquids floating around because I didn’t use any! LOVE LOVE LOVE the vitamix.
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Yay! That makes me SO happy! I love when I can find a recipe to feed people who don’t usually get enough fruits/veggies and they actually like it!
vicki says
Maybe it’s because I’m a blendtec user (I’ve never used a Vita-mix), but I don’t want to wait for my ice cream. I like instant gratification! Maybe you should contact Blendtec and get them to send you a blender so you can compare and constrast! I’m able to slice a fully frozen banana w/a very sharp knife (everyone needs at least one very good knife). I can then blend that up w/out any liquid at all and have a very thick banana ice cream base. I can add cacao or even another frozen fruit, again it’s ready immediately. Kind of addicted to two banana’s and cup or more of frozen raspberries… I no longer need to add sweetener. If I add liquid it’s just a matter of having more frozen banana to make up for it (I have a bag of frozen banana’s on hand at all times)… and then eating it faster than it melts 🙂 Yummy!
Chocolate Covered Katie says
🙂
Billy Bob says
You are hot and I would like to cover you in chocolate.
Pamela says
Big disappointment with vitamix. Taking it back tomorrow. My $80 blender works better. $600 for it is a joke.