Sweet Cherry Chocolate Chip Ice-Cream

Sweet Cherry Chocolate Chip Ice-Cream

Ingredients:

• 3 cups frozen,halved & pitted black cherries, thawed
• 2 cups coconut cream (95% coconut cream, 5% water varieties work best)
• ⅛ cup lemon juice
• ¼ cup maple syrup
• ¼ cup coconut sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon gelatin
• pinch of salt
• ⅓ cup dark chocolate chips (optional)

Method:

1. Place the bowl of the ice cream maker in the freezer the night before you plan to make ice-cream. It is really important that the bowl is completely frozen.

2. Strain any excess liquid/juice the cherries let off after being thawed. There should be as much as 1/4 cup of liquid/juice left behind. Reserve 3/4 cup of the cherries and set aside (these can be cut into smaller pieces).

3. In a high speed blender, combine the remaining cherries, coconut cream, lemon juice, maple syrup, coconut sugar, vanilla extract, gelatin, and salt.  Blend until frothy and completely smooth, then transfer to the refrigerator to chill completely until just before you make the ice-cream.It is important that the mixture is very cold, otherwise it hardens to the sides of the ice-cream maker.

4. Place the frozen ice-cream bowl into the ice-cream maker, secure the open lid, and power on. Pour the mixture through the open lid and into the frozen ice cream bowl and it will begin to churn. Depending on the appliance, it may take 20-40 minutes to bring ice cream to a soft serve consistency.

5. When it reaches a soft serve consistency, add the reserved cherries and chocolate chips. Transfer to a parchment lined container with a lid and freeze for 2 more hours. Let sit at room temperate for 10-15 minutes before serving. For a smooth scoop, it helps to run the ice-cream spoon under warm water first! Just like Grandma used to do when we were kids!