Saturday, 8 December 2012

RAW CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM SANDWICHES

Oh how I love avocados, they are so versatile, delicious, and packed with nutrients! The amount of ways they can be used in endless, now who would have thought you could make an ice cream sandwich out of them?




I found this recipe at http://www.adashofcompassion.com , and modified it to be Paleo friendly :)

INGREDIENTS:

Chocolate cookies:
1 cup almond meal
1/2 cup raw cacao powder
1/2 cup chopped dates (soak until soft)
2 TBSP raw honey
1 TSP organic vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

Filling option #1 : Avocado mint:
2 ripe avocados
1/2 cup fresh min leaves chopped
1/2 cup raw honey
1 TBSP fresh lemon juice
1 TSP pure mint extract
1/2 cup coconut oil (melted)

Filling option #2 : Chocolate avocado:
2 ripe avocados
1/2 cup raw honey
3 TBSP almond butter
1 TBSP organic vanila extract
1/2 cup raw cacao powder
2 TBSP coconut oil (melted)

DIRECTIONS:

-Chocolate cookies: 
-In a food processor, pulse the almond meal, buckwheat and cacao powder just to combine.
-Add the chopped dates, agave, vanilla and salt and process until a soft dough ball forms. If it doesn't, add water 1 teaspoon at a time until a ball forms.
-Using a rolling pin, roll out the dough in between 2 pieces of parchment paper into a thin, even layer. Remove the top sheet of parchment paper and use a cookie cutter to cut out round shapes. Carefully transfer them to a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper. Place the sheet of cookies in the freezer for at least an hour to firm up.
-To assemble, spread a thick layer of the chocolate or mint filling (recipes below) on a cookie and place another cookie on top, pressing down gently. Roll the sides of the ice cream sandwich in cacao nibs or nuts to coat. Repeat with remaining cookies. Refreeze for at least an hour before serving. These can be stored in the freezer for a longer period if tightly wrapped with plastic wrap and parchment paper.

-Filling option #1: Avocado mint :
-Blend together all ingredients, except the coconut oil, in a high-powered blender until smooth. You may need to stop occasionally and scrap down the sides.
-Add the coconut oil and blend again until combined and smooth.

-Filling option #2: Chocolate avocado :
-Blend together the avocado, agave nectar, almond butter and vanilla until smooth.
-Add the cacao powder and coconut oil and blend until combined and smooth.