I absolutely love ice cream. It is probably my most favorite dessert that can almost instantly make me super happy. But this is me, and I am probably just a teeny weeny fraction of the swamp of people who would agree with me. I went on this mission to know a little more about this lovely frozen dessert (my curiosity always gets the better of me), and here’s what I found:

• Ice cream dates back to the 5^th Century BC. (Yeah, apparently the Greeks made something like what we call ice cream now. Don’t ask me how they froze it! They were geniuses)

• In the year 1300, Marco Polo brought in the first form of ice cream into Europe. (From his travels, I guess!!!)

• In 1776, the first ever ice cream parlor was opened in New York. (I’m sure it was me, born back then as the owner of that parlor)

• In 1843, the ice cream churner was invented. (Can I kiss that woman?? Yeah, it was a she – Nancy Johnson)

• New Zealand consumes the most ice cream in the world, followed by USA and Australia. (But none can beat ME!!)

• Chocolate sauce is the world’s most popular ice cream topping.

• A cow gives enough milk to produce 15 liters of ice cream a day. (Guess I will get into cattle farming now)

• It takes 50 licks to finish a scoop of ice cream. (I want MORE!!!!)

• A brain freeze occurs when ice cream touches the roof of your mouth.

• 1 in five people share their ice cream with their pet. (Awwww!!)

• A single serve of ice cream approximately contains about 267 calories. (Oops!! Did I just break your bubble????)

Well yeah! However much we wish to binge on that creamy delight that beautifully melts into the warmth of our mouths, it has way too many calories for us to cozily scoop up an entire tub.  But do not be disheartened. They are many healthy options available. While I cannot list out all, here are my favorite five frozen delicacies. I’m hoping you will love them too. 

1. Fruit Popsicles:

This one is super-easy and very healthy. All you need to do is chop up some of your favorite fruits, and toss them into a Popsicle mold (that should very easily be available at any departmental store). You could make a lovely juice by blending some fresh oranges, pineapple, watermelon or even some lemons. Pour the juice into the mold with the fruits. The juice will fill in all the gaps and help to bind everything together. Freeze until it sets and you have a yummy healthy fruit Popsicle ready to lick away! Don’t forget to insert those ice cream sticks.

You could also layer the Popsicles either with different juices or with yogurt like in the picture above. Layering is also very easy. All you need to do is freeze each layer for about 30 minutes before you add the next one.

2. Banana Soft Serve:

Bananas are a super fruit. They are powerhouses of health and energy. They have so much goodness being packed with vitamins and minerals and essential nutrients. If you love bananas, you will love this one. All you need is one banana. Chop it up and chuck the bits into the freezer for a while. Once frozen, remove and blend. You will get a lovely creamy dessert with a consistency similar to that of a soft serve, which you could top with some walnuts or even some chunks of peanut butter if you are feeling overindulgent.

3. Lemon-Buttermilk Sorbet:

You have to try this one! It is just amazing. All you need is:

• 3/4^th cup of honey
• ½ cup of lemon juice
• 4 cups of buttermilk
• 2 tbsps. Of lemon rind

It is very simple to make. Just stir in the honey with the lemon juice and rind in a bowl. Now add the buttermilk and make sure you mix well. Chill this mixture up, and then churn it in your ice cream maker. If you don’t have one, you could simply freeze it and just keep stirring it from time to time while it is freezing to make sure there is no crystallization.

This would last you for three days, without going bad. Usually this quantity would serve about seven people, but if you love ice cream as much as me, it serves only one. *Chuckles* 

4. FroYo Cup Cakes: 

This one is another brilliant ice cream hack, which is a perfect, fancy looking dessert when you have to whip up a meal for your diet-conscious friends.

All you need is:

• 250 grams of Hung Yogurt
• ½ tsp of Vanilla Essence
• 2 tbsps. Of honey
• A handful of Strawberries (when available – always better to use them fresh)
• ½ a ripe Banana

Blend in the strawberries and banana together, and refrigerate until you need to use it (you don’t want it turning black). In a bowl, mix the hung yogurt with vanilla and honey. Now bring out your cup cake molds, and fill about three-fifths with the yogurt. Add a spoonful of your berry mixture (yeah! Banana is a berry for those of you who didn’t know), or about 1/5^th over the yogurt mixture. The left over yogurt could either be swirled over like fresh cream over these cup cakes, or you could add it on as another layer. Feel free to garnish with dark chocolate chips (it’s all about making it healthy), or with some cut strawberries. Freeze the cup cakes until it is well set. Don’t forget to let it thaw for about ten minutes before you serve.

5. Chai & Coconut Ice Cream:

This one tastes as exotic as it sounds. But it is extremely easy and quite healthy. Perfect for a beautiful winter evening. All you need is:

• 4 tsp. Of Regular Black Tea
• 2 Packs of Coconut Milk
• 3/4^th Cup Honey
• 1 tsp. Vanilla Essence
• 3/4^th finely grated Ginger
• 3/4^th Cinnamon
• 1/4^th Cardamom
• 1/4^th Cloves
• A pinch of sea salt

Take a cup of water, bring it to a boil, and add the tea to it. Add in the spices, and boil until the flavor seeps into the tea. Cool it down, strain, and add the rest of the ingredients to the decoction. Mix well. You could either use an ice cream churner or just freeze. You could add a little arrowroot starch to eliminate crystallization of the mixture while freezing.

I am salivating at the thought of this yummy chai ice cream and am heading straight into my kitchen to make it.

You will always find ways to make yummy food healthy. So never ever give up on your love for your favorite food, especially when it is as amazing as ice cream!

The post 5 Delicious Frozen Dessert Recipes That Will Give Commercial Ice Cream A Run For Their Money appeared first on STYLECRAZE.

by Shirin Mehdi via STYLECRAZE