Peanut-Butter Ice Cream (& Toppings) (Vegan!)

So, banana ice cream is basically one of the vegan staples, I've noticed. However, I rarely come across other vegan ice cream flavor recipes that don't require an ice cream maker... which I don't have. So I experiment a LOT with making my own vegan ice cream flavors using just my blender. My brother and I made this peanut-butter ice cream tonight, and it is definitely a winner in our book!

It is supremely decadent on its own, but when you add toppings (don't stop at the small list I provided; add whatever you'd like!,) it is a whole new level. Don't be intimidated by the lack of dairy! The technique of freezing the bananas for the right amount of time and blending them creates a texture (and flavor, somehow...) pretty indistinguishable from dairy ice cream. I actually prefer it to dairy ice cream!

Ingredients:

***Use these measurements to make a dish with 6 servings***

- Ice Cream:

• 6 large ripe bananas
• 1 or 2 tablespoon(s) of natural peanut butter (depends on how much you like peanut butter!)
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon agave nectar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

- Toppings (All optional, but delicious! Mix and match!!):

• ½ cup of chocolate/carob chips
• ½ cup of chopped nuts of your choosing
• ½ cup of ground graham crackers or other cookie/brownie you like
• Agave nectar/chocolate syrup/caramel

Method:

1. Cut bananas into slices and put in freezer for AT LEAST 3 hours. If you are using less than 6 bananas, you can get away with a less amount of time, but the bananas must be HARD and completely frozen for you to get the desired consistency.
2. After time has passed, take bananas out of the freezer and put into the blender. Blend bananas until you have reached a soft-serve-like consistency. This might take a while depending on the power of your blender, and you might have to use a spoon to mix up/push the bananas so they all get blended.
3. Add the peanut butter, cinnamon, salt, agave, and vanilla, and blend until creamy.
4. Immediately take out of blender, mix in toppings of your choosing, and enjoy! 
5. If you want to save it for later, put it in the freezer; but don't freeze it for any longer than 24 HOURS, or it will turn into an inedible ice-rock of flavor...

Our extremely ripe bananas!

The banana slices after freezing.

Some of the toppings we folded in: crushed graham cracker, brownie bits, and crushed almond! 

The finished peanut-butter ice cream (it felt like soft serve) with chocolate chips added in as well!

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Did you try this recipe out?

Please let me know in the comments!