Homemade Cherry Ice Cream Bon Bons {Dairy-Free Option}

CHOCOLATE + CHERRIES go so perfectly together!  

With this heat wave going on in Northern California, I knew I had to make some homemade ice cream ... I mean why not?  Ice cream is mandatory when summer heat hits!  At least it is in my book.  

One of my family's favorite fruits is cherries.  We all love them + I love ice cream, so I decided to make homemade cherry ice cream for us.  But I didn't stop there, I decided to make something extra special ... 


CHERRY ICE CREAM BON BONS 

I am super excited to be sharing this delicious + sweet recipe over at one of my favorite blogs today ... Live Simply!  

These dainty little bites of cherry ice cream covered in chocolate are out of this world!  

Head over to LIVE SIMPLY to get the full recipe for these Homemade Cherry Ice Cream Bon Bons!

If you haven't visited Kristin's beautiful blog yet, make sure to check out some of my favorite recipes ... Beet Strawberry Salad with Balsamic Mustard Dressing, chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies + Brownies {these are SO delicious ... trust me, you're going to want to make these often}.  She's got wonderful DIY recipes too like her Homemade Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion {without coconut oil} + Homemade Neosporin.  

HAVE YOU EVER MADE BON BONS BEFORE?  SUMMER IS THE PERFECT TIME TO GIVE IT A TRY! 

{{ Check out my Homemade Blackberry Ice Cream Bon Bons recipe too.}}

This post is shared at Real Food Wednesday @ Kelly the Kitchen Kop + Allergy Free Wednesday @ Tessa the Domestic Diva. 

Homemade Blackberry Ice Cream Bon Bons {Dairy-Free Option}

Summer is on it's way to Northern California.  Sunny and HOT + close to 100 degrees by the end of the week!  Yikes!  I am not ready for summer weather ... but I am ready for lots and lots of Homemade Ice Cream.  

I LOVE ice cream!  I simply can't get enough of it, especially when the warmer weather starts ... who am I kidding, I love it year-round!  I make it often + my sweet husband always makes sure I have some organic, grass-fed ice cream in the freezer {I love this man!}.    

HAVE YOU EVER HAD BON BONS?

If you haven't, you're in for a big treat.  These sweet little mounds of ice cream covered with chocolate are perfect in every way.  My family loves them + they're always a crowd pleaser at parties and gatherings. 

Have you been to any local farmers markets recently?  We just went over the Mother's Day weekend and we saw tons of fresh berries.  Warmer weather means summer fruit will be coming to most farmers markets.  If you see some blackberries, make sure to grab a bunch because these gorgeous, dark beauties make some seriously delicious + beautiful ice cream.  If your blackberries are really ripe, they'll make the most stunning purple ice cream ... but if they're early in the season, the ice cream will be a rich pink.    

I'm so excited to be sharing this sweet + refreshing recipe on Beth's blog Red and Honey, today!

Head over to RED AND HONEY to get the full recipe for these Homemade Blackberry Ice Cream Bon Bons.

HAVE YOU EVER MADE HOMEMADE BON BONS BEFORE? WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE KIND?

{{Check out my Homemade Cherry Ice Cream Bon Bons recipe too.}}

This post is shared at Pennywise Platter Thursday @ The Nourishing Gourmet, Fat Tuesday @ Real Food Forager, Real Food Wednesday @ Kelly the Kitchen Kop, Allergy-Free Wednesday @ The Tasty Alternative, + Fight Back Friday @ Food Renegade. 

Homemade Honey Sweetened Whipped Cream {Real Food + Nourishing}

WHIPPED CREAM - it's a love or hate kind of thing.  I love it, but only if it's homemade.  And I mean made with REAL ingredients, not any of that processed junk.  I rarely have it because I can't stand whipped cream in any other form.  Do you know what's in store bought FAKE whipped cream?  Corn Syrup, Refined Sugar, Artificial Flavors, Carrageenan ... YUCK, no thank you.  And then there's the fluffy kind that comes in the round container ... guess what, it's loaded with Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil ... gross!

Homemade Whipped Cream is SO EASY TO MAKE!  When you make it with REAL, healthy, nourishing ingredients, you can't go wrong.  

The next time you're in need of some whipped cream, please make some on your own.  It literally takes minutes to make and the result is so worth it.    

HOMEMADE HONEY SWEETENED WHIPPED CREAM

Perfectly sweet, simple and delicious ... this Honey Sweetened Whipped Cream is oh so good!

Equipment: Large Mixing Bowl w/ high sides, Hand-Held Mixer or Standing Mixer

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• 2 cups organic whipping cream or raw cream * {See Resources}
• 2-3 tablespoons raw honey {I use raw local creamed clover honey}
• 1 1/2 teaspoons gluten free vanilla extract 

1.  In a large mixing bowl, whip the cream, honey and vanilla extract on high until it forms stiff peaks.  [Note: Make sure to use a large mixing bowl with high edges or the liquid will go everywhere when you turn the mixer on.]  

2.  Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator.  

Yield: Makes about 4 cups.

Tips: Make sure the cream is very cold; keep it refrigerated until ready to use.  Chill your mixing bowl and whisk/beaters in the freezer for about 15 minutes before using. 

Storage: Cover and store in the refrigerator.  Keeps well for about 2 hours ... we have left it in the refrigerator and still enjoyed it the next day.    

Serving Suggestions: Dollop on a piece of pie or cake, layer into trifles or parfaits, serve with fresh fruit, spoon onto Strawberry shortcakes, puddings, ice cream or milkshakes ... or just eat it by the spoonful.  

* Use dairy from pastured cows if possible and/or try to find a quality organic product like Straus Family Creamery; their cows graze on lush grass in Marshall, CA near Tomales Bay and they do not ultra-pasteurize their products.  For California residents, check out my favorite raw milk/cream from Claravale Farm.  They sell to stores and co-ops all over CA.

RECIPES TO ENJOY WITH YOUR HOMEMADE WHIPPED CREAM:

• Honey Sweetened Hot Chocolate
• Chocolate Avocado Ice Cream
• Strawberry Milkshake
• Mini Warm Chocolate Cakes 
• Homemade Chocolate Pudding

Amazon links are affiliate links, prices are the same for you.  Should you decide to purchase through my blog, thank you in advance and much gratitude for supporting Recipes to Nourish.

Strawberry Milkshake

The weather has been very “off” here this winter.  Most days it has felt like spring.  With this weather comes a change in local produce.  Little Love and I noticed strawberries showing up at our local farmers market, and of course, she wanted some.  She also wanted a strawberry milkshake, how could I refuse, I love them too! 

Little Love enjoying her Strawberry Milkshake.

Strawberry Milkshake

Equipment: Blender

·      2 ½ cups frozen organic strawberries (about 25 strawberries)

·      1 cup raw whole milk, raw cream or coconut milk* (See Resources)

·      1 teaspoon gluten-free organic vanilla extract (I use Simply Organic)

·      3-4 tablespoons raw local honey or organic maple syrup grade B

·      1 PASTURED raw egg yolk, optional* (ONLY use pastured eggs)

1.    Place frozen strawberries, milk, vanilla, honey and pastured egg yolk in blender.  COVER with lid, you do not want everything all over your kitchen.

2.   Blend on a medium speed until combined and smooth, about 30 – 45 seconds.

3.   Serve immediately, enjoy!

Little Love having another Strawberry Milkshake.

Yield: 3 cups

Vegan-Option: Use coconut milk instead of dairy, organic maple syrup grade B instead of honey and omit the egg yolk. 

Note: I do NOT recommend using raw egg yolks from non-pastured eggs.  If you choose to use raw egg yolk, make sure the egg is pastured and that the egg is in good condition with no cracks anywhere.  Buy local and get to know your farmers! 

*For California residents, check out my favorite raw milk/cream from Claravale Farm.  They sell to stores and co-ops all over CA.  And for pastured eggs, check out my favorite farmers at Cache Creek Meat Co.


This post is part of Monday Mania @ The Healthy Home Economist, Homestead Barn Hop @ The Prairie Homestead, Fat Tuesday @ Real Food Forager, Slightly Indulgent Tuesday @ Simply Sugar and Gluten-Free, Hearth and Soul Hop @ Premeditated Leftovers, Full Plate Thursday @ Miz Helen's Country Cottage, and Foodie Friday @ Not Your Ordinary Recipes.

Honey Vanilla Ice Cream

The combination of honey and vanilla is amazing.  Add the two to ice cream and you have the most luscious flavor.  It’s simply divine. 

Enjoy!

Honey Vanilla Ice Cream

Smooth, creamy and delectable. 

Equipment: Blender, Ice Cream Maker

• 3 cups raw cream or organic cream-top whipping cream* (See Resources)
• 1 tablespoon gluten free organic vanilla extract (I use Simply Organic)
• ¼ - ½ cup raw honey (I use local raw clover creamed honey)

1.     Add cream, vanilla and honey to blender.

2.    Blend on a lower setting just until smooth and combined, about 5 seconds.  Be careful not to blend too long, you don’t want a lot of air in the mixture.   If any foam forms on the top, remove this with a spoon.

3.    Pour mixture into ice cream maker.

4.    Turn machine on and mix according to your ice cream maker’s instructions.

5.     Ice cream will start to have a “soft serve” texture when it is done.  This is my family’s favorite way to eat it.  If you prefer it to be a little firmer or need to serve it later, place in the freezer to harden. 

Yield: Makes about 3 cups mixture, about 1 quart of ice cream. 

Serving Suggestions:  Serve as is, with Chocolate Fudge Sauce, Slow Cooked Pears, fresh fruit, or along side a slice of pie, cobbler, crumble or crisp. 

Dairy-Free Option: Substitute full-fat coconut milk for the dairy.

*For California residents, check out my favorite raw milk/cream from Claravale Farm.  They sell to stores and co-ops all over CA.  If you can’t find raw cream, at least buy a quality organic product like Straus Family Creamery.  Their cows graze on lush grass in Marshall, CA near Tomales Bay and they do not ultra-pasteurize their products.      


This post is part of Healthy 2day Wednesdays @ day2day joys, Works-for-Me Wednesday @ We Are THAT Family, Women Living Well Wednesdays Link-Up @ Women Living Well,  Foodie Wednesday @ Daily Organized Chaos, Turning the Table Thursday @ Around My Family Table, and Tea Party Tuesday @ Sweetology.