This creamy strawberry-mango nice cream is a delicious healthy ice cream alternative. It’s all fruit, dairy-free, vegan and contains no added sugar. And this three-ingredient dessert is super-fast and easy to prep. Serve it as a snack or light dessert on the hottest days of the summer—or anytime you want a refreshing treat.
Updated on October 26, 2024
Tropical, fruity frozen perfection is how some describe this antioxidant-filled Strawberry-Mango Nice Cream. Succulent, sweet mango provides the creamy base for this frozen confection, and strawberries add to the sweet notes while also providing a touch of tartness. Lime juice balances out the sweetness to add just the right amount of pucker. Since there is no added sugar or dairy in this treat, it can be a great option for those who are dairy-free or watching their blood sugar. Keep reading for expert tips, like how to store your nice cream if you’re not using it right away.
Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen
These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too!
- If you like a soft, smooth texture, immediately serve nice cream after blending it. If you prefer an ice cream texture, put it in the freezer for 2 hours and then serve. You can freeze nice cream for up to 3 months, but it’s best used within a week.
- To avoid ice crystals in your finished nice cream, work fast to get it into a container and in the freezer.
- Allow nice cream to soften at room temperature for easy scooping for at least 10 to 15 minutes before serving; it may take shorter or longer, depending on the weather.
- You can use nice cream to make frozen ice pops.
Nutrition Notes
- While mango is plentiful in natural sugars, it’s also high in fiber, which helps slow down the digestion of the tropical fruit’s natural sugars. This can help stabilize blood sugar. Mango is also loaded with inflammation-calming antioxidants and vitamins A and C, supporting healthy skin and vision.
- Strawberries add to the fiber, antioxidants and vitamin C in this nice cream. Regularly including strawberries may improve your heart and brain health. And the fiber in strawberries will make your gut and blood sugar happy, too.
- While the lime juice is minimal in this recipe, it does add to the vitamin C and antioxidant content. The acid in the lime juice also cuts through some of the sweetness from the mango, providing a nice balance of sweet and tart.
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Ingredients
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12 ounces frozen mango chunks
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8 ounces frozen sliced strawberries
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1 tablespoon lime juice
Directions
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Place 12 ounces mango, 8 ounces strawberries and 1 tablespoon lime juice in a food processor; process for 1 to 2 minutes. Stop the processor and scrape down the sides. Continue processing until smooth, an additional 2 to 3 minutes, adding up to 1/2 cup water to help process the fruit, if necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I make nice cream in a blender?
Absolutely. You can make nice cream in a high-speed blender. You may need to add a little more liquid while whirring it up. You can add a tablespoon of water as a start and a tiny bit of lime juice so you are not diluting the lime juice flavor. Letting the fruit melt for a minute or two before starting is best. Start the blender at a slow speed and gradually increase it. If the blender has problems, stop and let the fruit melt more before continuing.
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What container should I use to freeze the nice cream?
You can freeze nice cream in an airtight freezer-safe container or a covered loaf pan. If you want, you can line the containers with parchment paper in case the frozen mixture sticks to the container.
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How should I serve nice cream?
You can serve nice cream just like you would ice cream: in a bowl, footed parfait cup, ramkin, sugar cone, waffle cone—whatever you like. If you want to get fancy, have toppings available. For this recipe, a mix of sliced fresh fruits and berries would be a nice addition, including a cookie.
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Can I swap out the strawberries and mango?
You can, but for that desirable soft-serve consistency, there are only some fruits that work well, and depending on the fruit, it should be pitted, peeled or cut into chunks before freezing. Some good choices of fruit are: bananas, cherries, nectarines, peaches, cantaloupe, honeydew, hachiya persimmons and apricots.
EatingWell.com, June 2019
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
| 70 | Calories |
| 1g | Fat |
| 17g | Carbs |
| 1g | Protein |
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
|
Servings Per Recipe 4 |
|
|
Serving Size 3/4 cup |
|
|
Calories 70 |
|
| % Daily Value * | |
|
Total Carbohydrate 17g |
6% |
|
Dietary Fiber 3g |
9% |
|
Total Sugars 14g |
|
|
Protein 1g |
2% |
|
Total Fat 1g |
1% |
|
Saturated Fat 0g |
1% |
|
Vitamin A 929IU |
19% |
|
Vitamin C 65mg |
73% |
|
Folate 51mcg |
13% |
|
Sodium 2mg |
0% |
|
Calcium 19mg |
1% |
|
Iron 0mg |
2% |
|
Magnesium 16mg |
4% |
|
Potassium 234mg |
5% |
Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.
* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.
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