The temperature is heating up outside, and with it comes cravings for delicious icy goodness to bring sweet relief on those dreamy, hot summer days. But if you'd prefer to treat yourself without the processed sugars, dairy, artificial colours and flavours that many packaged ice creams come riddled with, then this ridiculously easy (and ridiculously moreish) 3 ingredient coco berry ice cream is a match made in heaven for you!

Why you'll love it

• No ice cream machine required

• It's vegan/dairy-free

• It's all natural

• Takes about 5 minutes (or less) to make

• Truly only has just 3 ingredients!
  

It's also berry-licious!

This recipe is jam-packed with berries, and berries are among the healthiest, most nutrient-dense fruits we can consume. Why should berries be a staple part of our diet? Here's why:

1. Loaded with antioxidants — berries are an incredible source of antioxidants, which we need to fight off free radicals that cause oxidative stress; a process that leads to various diseases and accelerated ageing of the body.
   

2. Beneficial for brain health — Research shows that regular consumption of berries may help to reduce age-related memory loss and cognitive decline.
   

3. Super nutritious — Berries dose us up with all sorts of vitamins and minerals including vitamin C (especially strawberries), manganese, potassium, vitamin K1, copper and folate.
   

4. Great for heart health — A Harvard study showed that eating 1/2 a cup of strawberries or blueberries 3 times a week significantly improved heart health and reduced risk of heart attack.
   

5. Promotes youthful, glowing skin — The high antioxidant and vitamin C activity of berries makes them amazing allies for warding off signs of ageing. Eating blueberries can also help to reduce skin redness and inflammation, while strawberries assist with collagen production to keep skin soft, plump and supple.

So are you ready to get your coco berry on? Once you see how easy this is, I swear it will be a feel-good staple in your freezer all summer long!

Recipe note #1: To make this, I buy a packet of frozen mixed berries from the supermarket freezer section. I like to use mixed berries in order to get a good cross-section of nutrients and benefits available from each berry, but feel free to do a straight up strawberry, raspberry or blueberry, etc ice cream, if you only have one type of frozen berry on hand!

Recipe note #2: This recipe can be made using a food processor, blender, or a stick blender (I use a stick blender — too easy!).

Ingredients

• 3 cups frozen mixed berries

• 1 x 400ml can coconut milk

• 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup (no fake stuff, please)

Step 1. Toss all 3 ingredients into your blender, food processor, or a bowl if using a stick blender.

Step 2. Now blend until smooth. That's it. Hard work, huh? At this stage you can taste the mixture and add some more maple syrup, if you wish to up the sweetness factor.

Step 3. You can now serve as is. At this stage it's the consistency of a smooth, thick icy smoothie... pudding (for lack of a better word?). I always serve up a little bowl straight away and then with the remaining...

Step 4. Pour into a freezer-proof container. A bread tin works perfectly, but you could even get cute and pour into ice cube trays or cupcake moulds, etc, to make bite-size portions that will utterly delight friends at your next pool party or backyard BBQ!

And yes, above you can see the evidence (or lack-thereof) of my eating the props between photos ;)

Step 5. Freezing for a few hours will give you the consistency of ice cream (and will be easy to scoop). Freezing overnight or longer will give you the consistency of a refreshing berry sorbet. In this case, you will want to take the container out of the freezer around 30 minutes or more before serving. It helps to also plunge your ice cream scoop or spoon into hot water before serving up.

May the berry glow be with you, my friends!

x Mary Lune