Creamy Homemade Strawberry Dole Whip
Four ingredients, ten minutes of hands-on time, and one secret that keeps it silky instead of icy.
Equipment
- High-speed blender or food processor
- Rubber spatula
- Piping bag with star tip (optional)
Ingredients
- 3 cups frozen strawberries (about 12 oz)
- 1 very ripe frozen banana (medium)
- 1/2 cup full-fat coconut milk (from a can)
- 2 tablespoons agave nectar or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Ensure your fruit is fully frozen before starting. If using fresh strawberries, wash, hull, and freeze them on a tray first. Freeze banana coins on a parchment-lined tray.
- Add the frozen strawberries and banana to your blender or food processor. Pulse 5-6 times to break up the big chunks.
- Scrape down the sides with a spatula, then add the coconut milk, agave, lime juice, and salt. The liquid may look sparse – that's normal.
- Blend on low speed, then increase to medium. Use the tamper to push fruit into blades if needed. Blend until the sound shifts to a steady whir and the mixture turns bright pink and smooth. If stuck, add 1 tablespoon more coconut milk.
- Stop and check consistency: it should look like soft-serve – thick enough to hold its shape but soft enough to slump. If too thick, add coconut milk 1 tablespoon at a time; if too thin, add more frozen strawberries and pulse.
- Serve immediately for soft-serve. Spoon into bowls or pipe into glasses with a star tip for a classic swirl. Work quickly as it softens fast.
- For a firmer scoopable texture, transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for 45 minutes to 1 hour before serving.
Notes
The ripe banana is the key to creaminess – it doesn't taste like banana but adds natural emulsifiers. Use full-fat coconut milk from a can; light coconut milk makes the texture icy. If using a regular blender, let frozen fruit rest 10 minutes before blending to avoid motor strain. Store leftovers in the freezer for up to 2 weeks; let sit at room temperature 15 minutes before serving, or re-blend with a splash of coconut milk. Taste the berries before sweetening – some batches need more or less agave.