🍌🍦Banana Ice Cream with perfect texture and mouthfeel - with or without xanthan gum!

🍌🍦Banana Ice Cream with perfect texture and mouthfeel - with or without xanthan gum! is a medium American recipe that serves 4. 410 calories per serving. Recipe by The Ice Cream Queen on YouTube.

Prep: 12 hrs 27 min | Cook: 2 hrs 45 min | Total: 15 hrs 32 min

Cost: $2.65 total, $0.66 per serving

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Whole Milk (cold, divided equally for blender and saucepan)
  • 1 cup Heavy Cream (cold, add after bananas are mixed)
  • 0.5 cup Granulated Sugar (can substitute with raw cane sugar for deeper flavor)
  • 0.25 teaspoon Xanthan Gum (sprinkle slowly into blender while mixing; optional – omit and increase heavy cream)
  • 3 medium Ripe Bananas (peeled, cut into large chunks, gently crushed)

Instructions

  1. Heat Milk and Dissolve Sugar

    Pour 1 cup of cold milk into a saucepan, add the sugar, and heat over medium‑high heat, stirring constantly until the sugar is fully dissolved.

    Time: PT5M

    Temperature: Medium‑high

  2. Bring Milk to a Boil

    Increase the heat to high and bring the milk‑sugar mixture to a full boil. Watch closely to avoid overflow.

    Time: PT2M

    Temperature: High

  3. Blend Hot and Cold Milk with Xanthan Gum

    Pour the boiling milk into the blender jug that already contains the remaining 1 cup of cold milk. With the blender running on low, slowly sprinkle the xanthan gum over the surface and blend for exactly 2 minutes.

    Time: PT2M

  4. Prepare the Bananas

    Peel the bananas, cut them into large chunks, and gently press each chunk with the back of a fork to crush slightly without turning them into pulp.

    Time: PT5M

  5. Combine Bananas, Milk Mixture, and Cream

    Place the crushed bananas in a mixing bowl, pour the blended milk‑xanthan mixture over them, scrape any residue from the blender, then add the cold heavy cream and stir thoroughly until fully incorporated.

    Time: PT3M

  6. Chill the Base Overnight

    Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 12 hours, up to 2 days, until the mixture is completely cold.

    Time: PT12H

  7. First Strain of Bananas

    Using a slotted spoon, lift roughly half of the banana pieces and set them aside. Place the remaining bananas in a fine mesh sieve over a bowl and gently stir with a rubber spatula to release as much ice‑cream liquid as possible without pressing the fruit through the sieve.

    Time: PT5M

  8. Second Strain of Bananas

    Transfer the remaining bananas to the sieve again, pour the collected liquid over them, and repeat the gentle stirring to extract additional flavor. Scrape the bottom of the sieve for any residual mixture.

    Time: PT5M

  9. Prepare the Ice Cream Maker

    Follow the manufacturer’s instructions: ensure the freezer bowl is frozen solid, assemble the paddle, and set the machine to run.

    Time: PT5M

  10. Churn the Ice Cream

    With the machine running, slowly pour the chilled ice‑cream mixture into the canister. Churn until the mixture becomes creamy with a wavy texture, about 40–45 minutes for this model.

    Time: PT45M

  11. Freeze to Firm Up

    Transfer the soft ice cream to a shallow container (or keep it in the ice‑cream maker bowl) and place it in the freezer for about 2 hours, or until scoopable.

    Time: PT2H

    Temperature: 0°F

  12. Serve

    Scoop the banana ice cream into bowls or cones and enjoy immediately, or store in an airtight container for later.

    Time: PT0M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
410
Protein
4 g
Carbohydrates
50 g
Fat
24 g
Fiber
2.5 g

Dietary info: Vegetarian, Gluten‑Free

Allergens: Milk, Cream, Xanthan Gum

Last updated: April 12, 2026

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🍌🍦Banana Ice Cream with perfect texture and mouthfeel - with or without xanthan gum!

Recipe by The Ice Cream Queen

A smooth, creamy banana ice cream made with milk, heavy cream, sugar, xanthan gum and fresh ripe bananas. No eggs are required, and the recipe uses a simple stovetop base, a quick blend, and an ice‑cream maker for a soft‑serve texture that firms up in the freezer. Optional tips include using raw cane sugar, adding egg yolks for a custard base, or a few drops of banana flavoring for extra punch.

MediumAmericanServes 4

Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist

Source Video
15h 13m
Prep
4m
Cook
1h 50m
Cleanup
17h 7m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$2.65
Total cost
$0.66
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Ensure sugar is fully dissolved before boiling to prevent curdling.
  • Blend xanthan gum for exactly 2 minutes to achieve proper thickening.
  • Chill the base overnight for optimal texture.
  • Strain bananas gently to avoid pulp in the final ice cream.
  • Freeze the ice‑cream maker bowl thoroughly before use.
  • Churn until a soft‑serve consistency is reached.
  • Freeze the churned ice cream until scoopable.

Safety Warnings

  • Boiling milk can overflow quickly – stay nearby and stir constantly.
  • Hot liquid in the blender can cause splashes – blend on low speed and keep the lid on tightly.
  • The ice‑cream maker bowl is extremely cold; handle with a towel to avoid frostbite.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this recipe

Q

What is the cultural significance and history of banana ice cream in American dessert cuisine?

A

Banana ice cream became popular in the United States during the mid‑20th century when frozen desserts started incorporating fresh fruit flavors. It reflects the American love for convenient, home‑made frozen treats and showcases the versatility of bananas, a fruit introduced from tropical regions.

cultural
Q

What are the traditional regional variations of banana ice cream in American cuisine?

A

In the Southern United States, banana ice cream is often blended with caramel or bourbon. In the Pacific Northwest, it may be paired with local berries. The basic recipe remains the same, but regional add‑ins reflect local tastes.

cultural
Q

How is banana ice cream traditionally served in the United States?

A

It is typically served in a bowl or cone, sometimes topped with sliced bananas, chocolate sauce, or toasted nuts. In some diners, it appears as a “banana split” with additional fruit and whipped cream.

cultural
Q

What occasions or celebrations is banana ice cream traditionally associated with in American culture?

A

Banana ice cream is a popular summer treat for picnics, barbecues, and family gatherings. It also appears at birthday parties and as a refreshing dessert after holiday meals.

cultural
Q

How does banana ice cream fit into the broader American dessert tradition?

A

It exemplifies the American trend of turning fresh fruit into easy‑to‑make frozen desserts, sitting alongside classics like strawberry shortcake ice cream and peach cobbler sorbet.

cultural
Q

What are the authentic traditional ingredients for banana ice cream versus acceptable substitutes?

A

Traditional ingredients include whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, ripe bananas, and a stabilizer such as xanthan gum. Acceptable substitutes are raw cane sugar for deeper flavor, half‑and‑half for a lighter texture, or omitting xanthan gum and adding extra cream.

cultural
Q

What other American dishes pair well with banana ice cream?

A

Banana ice cream pairs beautifully with warm apple pie, chocolate brownies, or a slice of banana bread. It also complements a simple shortbread cookie for a balanced sweet‑and‑creamy dessert.

cultural
Q

What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making banana ice cream?

A

Common mistakes include boiling the milk before the sugar is fully dissolved (which can cause curdling), over‑blending the xanthan gum (resulting in a gummy texture), and skipping the overnight chill, which leads to a coarse churn.

technical
Q

Why does this banana ice cream recipe use xanthan gum instead of eggs?

A

Xanthan gum acts as a stabilizer that reduces the amount of heavy cream needed while still providing a rich mouthfeel, allowing the recipe to stay egg‑free for those with egg allergies or who prefer a simpler custard‑free base.

technical
Q

What does the YouTube channel The Ice Cream Queen specialize in?

A

The Ice Cream Queen focuses on homemade frozen desserts, offering step‑by‑step tutorials for ice cream, gelato, sorbet, and frozen yogurt, often highlighting simple techniques and ingredient swaps for home cooks.

channel
Q

How does the YouTube channel The Ice Cream Queen's approach to frozen dessert cooking differ from other dessert channels?

A

The Ice Cream Queen emphasizes minimal equipment, clear visual cues, and the use of stabilizers like xanthan gum to create smooth textures without custard bases, making her recipes especially accessible for beginners compared to more technique‑heavy channels.

channel

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