Author: Nemanja Vucicevic

Nightfood is great straight out of the pint, but when you have a few minutes to spare try this new delicious recipe!  

Banana splits are a classic dessert, but not all support your health. This version includes all the health benefits from Nightfood ice cream combined with healthy fats from shredded coconut and walnuts, antioxidants from fresh berries and dark chocolate, and a touch of natural sweetness from simple homemade date caramel. It’s also loaded with fiber and magnesium which support healthy digestion and stable blood sugar. You won’t be able to resist it!

Time: 5 mins Serves: 1

Tags: Gluten-Free, Vegetarian

Ingredients:

For the banana split-

• 1 small banana
• 2/3 cup Nightfood bed ‘n breakfast ice cream
• 1 Tbsp date caramel (recipe below)
• 1 Tbsp shredded coconut
• 1 Tbsp dark chocolate chips or cacao nibs
• 1 Tbsp crushed walnuts
• 1-2 fresh strawberries, sliced
• Other optional toppings as desired, such as:
  • Fresh mint
  • Hemp seeds

For the date caramel-

• ½ cup pitted dates
• Pinch sea salt
• ~¼ cup hot water, or unsweetened almond milk to thin

Directions for date caramel:

1. Place dates, salt, and water into a high speed blender or food processor. Process until smooth and no chunks of dates remain, about ~1-2 minutes total. You will need to intermittently pause the processing and scrape the sides to get the mixture well incorporated. Use slightly more or less water depending on the size of your dates to achieve proper consistency. The end result should be thick, like honey.
2. Store in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, or in the freezer for longer.

Directions for the banana split: 

1. Peel banana, then cut in half lengthwise and place on a plate.
2. Add scoops of night food ice cream to fill the length of the banana
3. Top with 3 small dollops of date caramel, then the shredded coconut, dark chocolate chips, crushed walnuts, and sliced berries.
4. Add additional toppings if desired, then enjoy immediately.

**Variations/notes: Many ingredients can be substituted in this recipe. Use any alternative flavor of Nightfood as desired, or substitute the nuts, berries, and coconut according to what you have on hand and what you like best.

Nutritional Information per serving: 

Calories: 415;Total Fat: 16g; Protein: 12g; Carbohydrates: 66g; Sugars: 37g; Fiber: 11g; Sodium: 146mg

​​Joanna is a Registered Dietitian, health coach and freelance writer. She is also author of 2 cookbooks, The Gestational Diabetes Cookbook and Meal Plan and The Quick and Easy Gestational Diabetes Cookbook. She also operates a private practice at https://www.joannafoleynutrition.com/ where she focuses on nutrition and lifestyle counseling, helping clients find food freedom, and developing a healthier relationship with food.

Nightfood is great straight out of the pint, but when you have a few minutes to spare try this new delicious recipe!  

Brownies and ice cream are the ultimate indulgence when you’re pregnant (and beyond!). This brownie recipe has hidden fiber and protein from black beans that you wont even notice, but your health and your taste buds will certainly love. Unlike most brownie recipes, this one is also gluten free and is naturally sweetened with maple syrup. The end result is a dessert that will both satisfy your cravings and nourish your body and growing baby with a slew of important nutrients.

Time: 40-45 mins Serves: 9

Tags: Vegetarian

Ingredients:

For the brownies-

• 1.5 cups drained and rinsed black beans, from a 15oz can
• 2 eggs
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa or cacao powder
• ⅔ cup pure maple syrup
• ⅓ cup coconut oil
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp sea salt
• ¼ cup + 2 tbsp dark chocolate chips, divided

For the sundae-

• ⅔ cup “Cookies n dreams” Nightfood ice cream (or other favorite night food flavor) for each serving
• Optional toppings:
  • Additional chocolate chips
  • Whipped cream
  • Crushed nuts
  • Shredded coconut
  • Berries
  • etc

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and lightly coat an 8 x 8 baking dish with cooking spray, or line with parchment paper.
2. Place all the brownie ingredients except the chocolate chips and optional toppings into a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. The batter will be thin.
3. Stir in ¼ cup dark chocolate chips into the batter, then pour into the prepared bak
4. Nightfood is great straight out of the pint, but when you have a few minutes to spare try this new delicious recipe!  ing dish, then top with remaining 2 Tbsp of chocolate chips.
5. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. Allow brownies to cool for at least 10 minutes, then cut into 9 equal-sized squares.
7. Serve 1 square of brownie with ⅔ cup of ice cream and any desired toppings. Enjoy!

Nutritional Information per serving: 

Calories: 366;Total Fat: 16g; Protein: 13g; Carbohydrates: 51g; Sugars: 26g; Fiber: 11g; Sodium: 401mg

​​Joanna is a Registered Dietitian, health coach and freelance writer. She is also author of 2 cookbooks, The Gestational Diabetes Cookbook and Meal Plan and The Quick and Easy Gestational Diabetes Cookbook. She also operates a private practice at https://www.joannafoleynutrition.com/ where she focuses on nutrition and lifestyle counseling, helping clients find food freedom, and developing a healthier relationship with food.

Nightfood is great straight out of the pint, but when you have a few minutes to spare try this new delicious recipe!  

When it comes to chocolate and peanut butter, you probably don’t need convincing that they make the perfect pairing, and they might taste even better together when you’re pregnant. This simple milkshake combines the health benefits of Nightfood ice cream with “superfood” properties of chia and cacao, which provide additional fiber, minerals, and antioxidants without any added sugar. The result is a thick and decadent milkshake you can feel good about eating.

Time: 5 mins Serves: 2

Tags: Gluten-Free, Vegetarian

Ingredients: 

• 1 pint vanilla Nightfood ice cream
• 2 Tbsp unsweetened cacao or cocoa powder
• 2 Tbsp natural peanut butter
• 1 Tbsp chia seeds
• 1 cup unsweetened vanilla or plain almond milk
• Crushed peanuts and dark chocolate chips for garnish (optional)

Directions: 

1. Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. Adjust the amount of milk used based on desired consistency.
2. Pour into 2 separate glasses and garnish each with crushed peanuts and dark chocolate chips, if desired. Enjoy with a spoon or thick straw.

**Variations/notes: You may sub any nut or seed butter in place of peanut butter. Other varieties of unsweetened plant-based milks can also be used, just expect a slightly different flavor profile.

Nutritional Information per serving: 

Calories: 295;Total Fat: 15g; Protein: 19g; Carbohydrates: 37g; Sugars: 13g; Fiber: 14g; Sodium: 273mg

​​Joanna is a Registered Dietitian, health coach and freelance writer. She is also author of 2 cookbooks, The Gestational Diabetes Cookbook and Meal Plan and The Quick and Easy Gestational Diabetes Cookbook. She also operates a private practice at https://www.joannafoleynutrition.com/ where she focuses on nutrition and lifestyle counseling, helping clients find food freedom, and developing a healthier relationship with food.