What more do you need on a hot summer day than a fruity, sweet, and satisfying Banana Boat Ice Cream?
It’s the perfect dessert to give kids and adults a wonderful bonding experience. You don’t even need to cook it. All you need to do is get everything you need and decorate it however you like.
There are different ways you can make this treat. As long as you have some bananas, favorite ice cream flavors, and desired toppings, you can prepare it in no time.
Whenever I serve this for celebrations and weekends, my kids truly leap for excitement. It’s a no-fail recipe you can also make whenever you want to enjoy some comfort food.
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Get ready to relax and be satisfied with the best Banana Boat Ice Cream!
How to Make Banana Boat Ice Cream
Banana Boat Ice Cream is a classic and timeless dessert that combines fruity bananas, sweet ice cream, and appetizing toppings. You might be surprised at how effortless it is to make a boat with simple ingredients!
Let’s start by learning everything you need to make Banana Boat Ice Cream.
Ingredients
What goes into an irresistibly delicious Banana Boat Ice Cream?
Bananas
How else can you make the boat without bananas, right? They pair perfectly with ice cream because of their mildly sweet flavor, decadent consistency, and fragrant aroma.
The naturally elongated shape of bananas makes them suitable for making the form of a boat. Bananas are also quick to ripen and easy to peel and prepare.
Moreover, bananas have health benefits that can encourage kids to eat fruits. According to Healthline, bananas are good for digestion, heart health, and even blood sugar levels.
If you have leftover bananas, then you can use them for this recipe or other dishes like Banana Ice Cream, Banana Puff Puff, Banana Bread, and even Peanut Butter Banana Milkshake.
Ice cream
The Banana Boat Ice Cream will not be complete without the ice cream, of course. You can use almost any ice cream flavor that you want, as long as it goes well with the bananas.
I suggest using vanilla, chocolate, coffee, strawberry, banana, and more! Many ice cream flavors taste amazing with bananas. In fact, I suggest making your own ice cream at home to get your preferred taste.
Aside from their flavor and cooling effect, there are plenty of other reasons to love ice cream. It has vitamins, calcium, protein, antioxidants, and even flavonoids.
Syrup
One of the best ways to add decorations and flavor to your dessert is to use syrup. Just drizzle it on the ice cream and bananas for an appetizing look and an enriched taste.
You can use any syrup flavor you want, whether homemade or store-bought. Aside from chocolate or strawberry syrup, you can also make your own syrup at home.
Whipped cream
Level up your Banana Boat Ice Cream with whipped cream on top of your ice cream. It’s a good way of making your dessert look more appealing and filling.
Use it as a garnish on top of the ice cream for a frothy and light feeling when you eat it. The whipped cream also adds a soft texture, making the dessert much better.
Toppings
Finish off your Banana Boat Ice Cream with your favorite toppings. You can choose from classic cherries, nuts, chocolate chips, fresh fruit slices, and more!
Can you already imagine how delicious it will be? All of the ingredients truly work together for the best results!
Directions
Now, it’s time to make Banana Boat Ice Cream!
- Split the banana into two lengthwise with a knife and peel the skin for easy handling.
- Place the banana split on either side of a narrow dish – a banana boat glass dish.
- Use an ice cream scooper to put the ice cream in the middle of the dish.
- Drizzle your preferred syrup on the ice cream and bananas.
- Then, add the whipped cream on top of the ice cream.
- Garnish the dessert with cherries, nuts, and other toppings.
- Serve with a smile!
Indeed, the Banana Boat Ice Cream is an easy, effortless, and quick recipe perfect for the whole family!
Tips
Bananas
Buying bananas
- The Spruce Eats suggests buying bananas with bright yellow color.
- They also feel full and plump.
- Check the bananas for any dull color or soft spots.
Storing bananas
- Let the bananas ripen at room temperature.
- Keep them away from sunlight.
- Once ripe, store them in the fridge to extend their shelf life.
- You can also freeze bananas for several months.
Homemade Ice Cream
You can make many ice cream flavors at home. My top suggestions are Banana Ice Cream and Vanilla Ice Cream because they’re easy to make and accessible.
If you don’t have an ice cream maker, whip the ingredients using a stand mixer or whisk. I also suggest using double cream for a thicker consistency without much whipping.
You can use a food processor to mix the ingredients for other ice cream flavors. For instance, you can use strawberries, cookies, passion fruit, berries, and more!
Banana Boat Ice Cream Variations
I love how Banana Boat Ice Cream can look and taste different whenever I make it. Instead of using one banana, you can use two bananas, with one on each side of your dish.
Aside from having three ice cream flavors, you can use as few or as many. You can skip the other toppings or replace them with other garnish you prefer.
Just remember to be creative every time you make it!
Recommended Tools
- Knife: Peel and slice the banana with a knife.
- Dish: Make the Banana Boat Ice Cream in a dish.
- Ice cream scooper: Scoop the ice cream with a scooper.
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How to Serve Banana Boat Ice Cream
Banana Boat Ice Cream is best served as a dessert or snack, especially during summer. I also love preparing it for celebrations and weekends because kids and adults love it.
However, always eat it in moderation. Cook Gem suggests one or two servings of ice cream in a day. Balance it out by eating it with fresh fruits or vegetables.
You can also drink it with the following homemade drinks:
Storage Tips
- At room temperature: Eat the Banana Boat Ice Cream within two hours to enjoy it while it’s cold.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a banana split and a banana boat?
Banana Split and Banana Boat are the same desserts. Both have bananas split in half, scoops of ice cream in the middle, toppings, and a garnish on top.
What is banana split ice cream made of?
Banana Split Ice Cream consists of bananas, ice cream, syrup, whipped cream, and toppings. Sometimes, it’s topped with a cherry or fresh fruit slices and nuts.
Is a banana split a sundae?
Yes, the banana split is a sundae because it has ice cream with added ingredients like syrup, whipped cream, nuts, and fruits. It has a twist of adding bananas on either side of the ice cream.
What is the history of banana split ice cream?
The Banana Split was invented in 1904 by American David Strickler. Since then, it has been a hit dessert in America and eventually worldwide.
Banana Boat Ice Cream
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 banana (ripe)
- 3 scoops ice cream (different flavors)
- chocolate syrup
- whipped cream
- crushed nuts (optional)
- 3 cherries
Instructions
- For easy handling, split the banana into two lengthwise with a knife and peel the skin.
- Place the banana split on either side of a narrow dish – banana boat glass bowl.
- Use an ice cream scooper to add the three different flavors of ice cream in between the banana splits in the dish.
- Drizzle your preferred syrup on the ice cream and bananas.
- Then, add the whipped cream on top of the ice cream.
- Garnish the dessert with cherries, nuts, and other toppings.
- Serve with a smile!
Notes
- You can make your own ice cream at home with a mixer, food processor, or ice cream maker.
- Use ripe bananas for a mildly sweet flavor.
Nutrition
