Brown Sugar Banana Ice Cream with Brownie Chunks
ShareCreamy homemade brown sugar banana ice cream with rich chocolate brownie chunks throughout.
Growing up my Grandmother would bring presents when we were sick. Somewhere along the line they were dubbed ‘happy sicks’. I don’t remember what she’d bring, but just something small and enough to brighten our day when we were so under the weather. I have one particular memory of her visiting when I came down with the chicken pox. Those itchy buggers. Thankfully most kids these days won’t ever have to deal with that. I don’t remember much about the visit, just that she was there. And really, of course that’s the best present of all. I’d give anything to have another day with her. But to a kid… a fun new present is always a plus.
I’ve tried to continue that tradition with my own kids. Not for colds or the occasional sniffles, but when something out of the norm happens. Like this week. My youngest daughter, while initially sounding as though she may have had just a cold, quickly progressed into something obviously much more…strep and pneumonia. Ugh. Thankfully we got to the Dr’s early enough and she’ll be good as new in no time. But to brighten her day, a pretty plush My Little Pony.
Now, fingers crossed no one else gets sick. But truthfully, I won’t hold my breath.
I’m always looking for fun new ways to use up that last banana or two that inevitably go brown faster than I can manage to enjoy. There’s always banana bread, waffles or bundt cake BUT it was time for a change and I knew the family would be game for this ice cream adventure.
Creamy homemade brown sugar banana ice cream with rich chocolate brownie chunks throughout. It’s a banana/chocolate lover dream! I highly recommend topping this off with some homemade hot fudge sauce. Because extra chocolate is never a bad thing. And because bananas and chocolate go so well together!
Save this recipe for the next time you have a few bananas leftover, waiting for that perfect recipe!
Brown Sugar Banana Ice Cream with Brownie Chunks
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 C whole milk
- 1 1/2 C heavy cream
- 3/4 C light brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 1 1/2 C mashed banana roughly 3 large bananas
- 5 large egg yolks
- 1 1/2 C brownie chunks
Instructions
- Add 1 cup heavy cream and bananas to a blender, process until smooth. Pour through a mesh strainer into a large bowl.
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine whole milk, remaining 1/2 cup heavy cream, brown sugar, salt and vanilla. Stir until sugar is dissolved and mixture is steaming.
- Whisk yolks in a small bowl. While whisking continuously, slowly pour 1 cup hot liquid into yolks. Transfer mixture back to saucepan. Cook over medium heat until mixture coats the back of a wooden spoon or spatula. Pour through mesh strainer into banana-cream mixture. Cool over an ice bath to room temperature. Cover and chill thoroughly, at least 4-6 hours or overnight.
- Meanwhile, prepare your favorite brownie recipe. Cutting 1 1/2 cups worth of 1/2-inch pieces. Arrange in a single layer on small baking sheet. Freeze until firm, roughly 1-2 hours.
- Churn ice cream according to manufacturer's directions. Spoon churned ice cream into a freezer safe container, scattering brownie chunks throughout. Freeze until solid, at least 4-6 hours.
Notes
More banana recipes to try:
Banana chocolate chip bundt cake
Mini banana cheesecakes with Nilla wafer crust
Banana cupcakes with chocolate buttercream
Strawberry banana fruit leather
Strawberry banana smoothie
Banana cinnamon waffles
Whole wheat oatmeal banana bread
I love banana ice cream :-) This looks amazing- you have such creative ideas!
Thanks Chloe!
Mmm… I’m loving the sound of this combination. Pinned!
Thanks Rochelle!
Poor girl :( I hope she’s on the mend! Banana and brownie chunks? That sounds awesome! I can already see myself picking out the brownie chunks to eat first haha
Fingers crossed but you know we now have others to worry about. I want to enclose them all in bubbles lol
This is a great new way to use up those pesky old bananas! Pinned!
ps- The story about your grandmother bringing gifts when you were sick was too cute!
Thanks Lindsey!
Holy mother of pearls! THIS flavor combo sounds perfect! I wish I had some bananas…I’d break out my ice cream maker now! LOVE!
Haha – don’t let the early Spring temps stop you! ;)
banana ice cream + brownie chunks?? this is fantastic!!
Thanks Angelyn!
Thinking of your little one! Praying she feels better soon. Rachel, this ice cream has all my favorites in it. I love banana + chocolate together!
Thanks so much Sally! Fingers crossed!!
What a sweet tradition your Grandma handed down to you, I’m glad your daughter is on the mend! This ice cream is right up my alley (well any ice cream is really). Brown sugar, bananas, brownies, they were made for each other!
Thanks Danae!
Your poor little girl…hope she’s feeling much better now! I bet the pony AND this ice cream helped! I have a thing for brown sugar. I love that deep, rich flavor. It must be crazy delicious paired with banana and chocolate! Pinning this now and breaking out the ice cream maker this weekend!
Thanks so much Caroline!
I love the idea of “happy sicks!” I think I’ll start that with my kids.
Though I will have to make this before anyone gets sick. I love the brown sugar. Makes the flavor so amazing!
Hope the little one is better soon.
Thanks so much :)
I hope she’s feeling better! How icky. :(
But I love this ice cream. It’s amazing!
Fingers crossed she’s on the mend, sure doesn’t sound like it yet. Slow goings maybe? And thank you!
This ice cream sounds amazing!
Thanks Holly!
Yes, ice-cream time! This makes the perfect spring time ice-cream !
Thanks Layla!
I wholeheartedly second Danae’s comments! When I become a grandma, I’ll definitely start the “happy sicks” tradition! I dreamed of homemade ice cream two nights ago and what I’d make for the Fourth of July… This is the answer to my dreams!!! THANK YOU!!
Thanks Wendy! :)
Sounds realllllyyyyyyy yummy ! I can’t wait to make it
Thanks Autumn :)
That’s some lovely looking ice cream. A bit too cold still where I am to make it, but in a couple weeks when the weather gets warmer I know what I’ll be doing with the small colony of bananas living in my freezer. Thanks for sharing this tasty looking ice cream recipe.
Thanks Trevor!
What a great flavor combination for ice cream! Hope your daughter gets to feeling better soon!
Thanks Jessica!
This sounds like a perfect afternoon treat!
I personally was so excited to make this as both flavors of banana and brownies are my favorite. Though, I’m not exactly sure what I did wrong but it came out more like a creamy italian ice then ice cream. I was disappointed and maybe there was something I should have done to prevent this.
It’s possible that your freezer is set to a lower temperature than mine. For most homemade ice creams, they should be left on the counter for at least 5 minutes before scooping. That may make a difference for you in the future.