Visions of large marble slabs and tiny compartments of different candies, chocolates, sprinkles, breakfast cereals and syrups were dancing around my brain before this photo shoot.
As much as I am the type of person that values whole foods, nutrient density and a paleo-esque way of eating -- I still think there is something so magical about those ice cream experiences waiting in line at a beach front for a giant cartoon-like swirl of your favourite soft-serve -- or waiting impatiently at a Cold Stone Creamery to add in your favourite mix-ins.
I am getting old ( late 20s you are the WORST) and as a result I find myself getting overly nostalgic but still overly concerned over the state of my body and how to improve it while that's still somewhat manageable (OK I KNOW I AM BEING DRAMATIC).
Cue: Allergen friendly ice cream. Made with coconut milk, dates, fleur de sel and almond milk but it tastes absolutely decadent and creamy.
I was pouring through the internet trying to find the best way to sweeten it when I came across recipes using date paste - thank you internet!
I have used date paste in my healthy Twix Bars and Protein Crunchy Caramel Bars. OH and my Healthy Snickers Bars, too! So I was beyond happy to pull out my bag of dates again.
The weather the past few weeks has been wonderfully warm. Maybe too warm, at times. But I am not complaining -- laying out on my deck getting some pretty weird tanlines has always been my favourite summer-time activity ;)
BUT with the heat comes craving some cold treats. Iced coffees (dolla dolla drinks, y'allll!) and ice cream and popsicles and anything else to keep cool, really.
I LOVE Oreo McFlurry's. Honestly if I could eat them everyday without consequence, I would. I have no shame.
But sadly outside of the sugar content the dairy causes me intense stomach pain. Kind of like I am being stabbed. Whaddup lactose intolerance!
My Aunt introduced me to some paleo-friendly ice cream from the supermarket but honestly....this stuff just blows it out of the water. I wish it didn't. I wish I could go pick up a tiny overpriced tub of what tasted like vaguely flavoured coconut water BUT ALAS I CANNOT BECAUSE IT SUCKS IN COMPARISON TO THIS STUFF.
I can't wait to turn this into an ice cream cake because DQs ice cream cakes are my jam and they similarly torture my soul with their siren's song.
WELL SCREW YOU POPULAR ICE CREAM ESTABLISHMENTS! I HAVE THE SOLUTION!
And don't worry. Now that I know how easy it is to make no-churn ice cream at home without an ice cream maker I will be coming up with lotsssss of fun variations for you ;)
I chose Salted Caramel Brownie to start because the date paste is already caramel-y. I added some caramel flavouring but you don't have to! And brownie because those protein bars are SO delicious and even better to have a healthy brownie mixed in, right?!
