Cheer up, because our Cherry Pie Ice Cream made with Lifeway Kefir and Lifeway Farmer Cheese is guaranteed to put a smile on your face and keep your gut happy too, no matter what else the day may bring.
Creamy, probiotic Lifeway Kefir and protein-packed Lifeway Farmer Cheese meet sweet cherries and a few other simple ingredients to create a cultured dessert we know you’ll love from the first spoonful to the very last. This frozen treat is filled with protein, calcium, and vitamin D from our kefir and farmer cheese, along with prebiotic fiber and vitamin C from cherries. Frozen banana adds a delicious, sweet taste and an extra touch of creaminess, along with B vitamins, potassium, and additional prebiotic fiber.
Lifeway Kefir is the perfect replacement to heavy cream, buttermilk, and other types of milk in frozen dessert recipes like this. Since it’s cultured, it’s not only better for your gut health compared to traditional ice cream ingredients, but it also creates softer, more tender textures in desserts of all kinds due to the probiotics it contains. You also don’t need an ice cream maker to enjoy this recipe or other frozen desserts with our kefir. A simple blender or food processor, a freezer-safe container, and a little patience while the recipe takes a trip to the freezer are all it takes!
Find Lifeway Kefir at a store near you here, and check out our other ways to use it in frozen desserts like this ice cream or other recipes here. See you in the kitchen!
The Benefits of Cultured Dairy for Better Health:
Research continues to show the importance of eating healthy foods, including cultured dairy such as kefir, for optimal digestion and gut health, a strong immune system, and to support the microbiome. Fermented foods like kefir hold important value in this line of research due to the link between the gut-brain axis and overall health. Specifically, kefir has been shown to help diversify the microbiome, improve digestion, reduce inflammation, support healthier blood sugar levels, and improve satiety since the bioavailable protein it contains triggers the release of GLP-1.
Lifeway Kefir is packed with a variety of vital nutrients important for overall health, including bone and muscle health; these include vitamin D3, K, calcium, and vitamin B12. Along with our probiotic-rich kefir, Lifeway also offers artisan-made Farmer Cheese, a creamy, high-protein cheese made with live and active cultures to support healthy muscles and a healthy microbiome. Lifeway Farmer Cheese is easy to spread, free of gums and thickeners, and contains no added salt or sugar for optimal health benefits.
Prep Time: 4-6 hours Servings: 4Ingredients
Vanilla Base:
- 3/4 cup Organic Whole Milk Vanilla Kefir
- 3/4 cup Farmer Cheese
- 1 large banana, frozen (sliced if needed)
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp. pure maple syrup
Black Cherry Base:
- 1 cup Organic Whole Milk Black Cherry Kefir
- 1/2 cup additional Lifeway Farmer Cheese
- 1 large banana, frozen (sliced if needed)
- 1 cup frozen dark sweet cherries
Mix-Ins:
- 1/4 cup fresh cherries, sliced
- 1/2 cup low-sugar, gluten-free granola
Directions
- For the vanilla base: To a high-speed blender add the Lifeway Organic Whole Milk Vanilla Kefir, Lifeway Farmer Cheese, frozen banana, vanilla, and maple syrup. Blend everything together until smooth. Transfer to a large, shallow glass container or ice cream container, preferably one that has an accompanying lid, and set aside.
- For the black cherry base: To a high-speed blender add the Lifeway Organic Whole Milk Black Cherry Kefir, Lifeway Farmer Cheese, frozen banana, and dark sweet cherries. Blend until smooth.
- Add the black cherry base into the container with the vanilla base, and swirl the two together to create a marbled pattern. Then freeze covered for 1 1/2 hours.
- After 1 1/2 hours, stir the mixture, then add in the freshly sliced cherries and the granola evenly amongst the container, then stir it all up again. Doing this after it freezes for a little bit keeps it from sinking to the bottom of the container. Put back in the freezer, covered, for another 3 1/2 - 4 hours, or until solid.
- Remove the dish from the freezer, let it thaw 5 minutes on the counter, and then scoop and serve. Enjoy!
