Ripeness changes the result
A banana with yellow skin and scattered brown freckles is useful here. A very green banana tastes less sweet and may leave a starchy impression, while badly bruised or fermenting fruit is not improved by ice cream. The peeled weight is more useful than the label 'large' because bananas vary considerably.
There is no extra sugar in this recipe. Banana supplies sweetness and body, so the shake can feel thick even with a generous quantity of milk. Adding syrup before tasting can hide the simple fruit flavour.
Fresh and frozen are different
Fresh banana is easy on a small blender. Frozen coins can replace it by weight if your machine handles them; let very hard pieces soften slightly first. The frozen version may need another tablespoon or two of milk to circulate.
Do not add a whole frozen banana as one solid piece. Coins expose more surface area and distribute easily around the blades. The fruit can remain frozen without being hard enough to resist a knife.
Keep the finish simple
A light cinnamon dusting adds aroma. Too much dry spice can sit on the surface and feel powdery. To flavour the whole shake, stir the measured pinch into the milk first rather than sprinkling freely from the jar.
Banana browns and changes flavour after blending. Have glasses ready before starting and make only the amount you expect to serve.
What you'll need
- 1 large ripe banana, about 130 g peeled
- 240 g vanilla ice cream
- 180 ml cold milk
- ⅛ tsp ground cinnamon, optional
- ½ tsp vanilla extract, optional
Let's make it
- Peel the banana and cut into coins. Trim away bruised patches rather than blending them into the drink.
- Put the milk, banana and optional vanilla into an upright blender. Blend until the banana is smooth, stopping to check for pieces.
- Add the scoopable ice cream and pulse briefly until uniform. Taste before making adjustments: banana and ice cream already provide sweetness.
- Pour into two glasses and dust lightly with optional cinnamon. Serve while the mixture is cold and the banana flavour fresh.
Make it your own
Use a plant drink and dairy-free vanilla dessert for a plant-based version.
Leave out cinnamon for plain banana flavour or use a very small pinch of nutmeg.
Keeping it fresh
Best straight away. Refrigerate an untouched extra portion promptly, covered, and use later the same day; some browning and separation may occur.
Allergen notes
Contains milk; check ice cream and alternative products for additional allergens.
