Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Nice Cream Recipe for Creamy Frozen Dessert

Smooth, creamy “nice” cream made from bananas, peanut butter, vanilla, milk, and chocolate chips—this quick treat is a household favorite.

Here’s a fast, simple recipe to beat the summer heat.

I’m always most interested in the recipes people actually make regularly—those improvised, ingredient-driven mixes that satisfy a craving and adapt to what’s on hand.

This recipe fits that description perfectly.

I began making it for Sam when he wanted ice cream and I wanted something a bit healthier. The kids tried it and loved it, and it quickly became a go-to treat. When Natalie asked how to make it, I realized I should get it on the blog.

What is nice cream?

Nice cream is a simple dessert made from frozen bananas blended with a splash of milk—often a dairy-free milk—until smooth. It’s essentially banana-based soft-serve that relies on fruit for sweetness, so there’s no added sugar.

Because the bananas supply all the sweetness, use very ripe bananas before freezing them for the best flavor.

Recipe steps

Everyone has a preferred method for making nice cream. Below is the approach that works best for me.

Start by adding two frozen bananas to a high-powered blender along with a generous splash of milk of your choice. A powerful blender (like a Vitamix) makes the creamiest texture and helps prevent a grainy result.

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Blend on low at first, then gradually increase speed. Use the tamper if your blender has one to help push the bananas into the blades. Add just enough milk to create a creamy consistency—too much will make the mixture runny.

Once smooth, add vanilla extract and the peanut butter, then blend until fully combined.

Finish by stirring in or briefly blending chocolate chips. I add them at the end so there are still some larger chips to bite into.

Can nice cream be frozen?

You can freeze nice cream, but texture depends on the milk you use. Some milks can become icy after freezing; using full-fat coconut milk or heavy cream helps maintain a creamier texture. That said, nice cream is best enjoyed immediately for the soft, scoopable consistency.

Recipe variations

Swap peanut butter for any nut or seed butter you prefer. For a rocky-road twist, add mini marshmallows along with the chocolate chips—kids love that.

Allergic to bananas? There are banana-free variations that use different fruit bases if you need an alternative.