Berries with Maple Ice Cream

Fresh strawberries and blueberries are a dessert in and of themselves, but this maple ice cream puts it up there with desserts you would serve your non-vegan/raw friends. Yes, it is indeed possible to delight your taste buds with a completely raw dessert.

Berries with Maple Ice Cream

Fresh blueberries

Fresh straberries, sliced

Maple ice cream

Raw hazelnuts, coarsely chopped

Maple ice cream 

(this is a variation of the recipe in the book "Raw Food" by Erica Palmcrantz)

1 cup cashews

1 large pear

2 Tbsp water

1 tsp Pure Maple Syrup (put in more if you want it sweeter)

Soak cashews in water for about 1 hour. Drain water and dry nuts. Blend the cashews to a flour-like consistency in blender or food processor. Add pear and water and continue to blend until creamy (you may need more water). Add maple syrup to taste and blend. Put in freezer. When you are ready to use, take out and let thaw on counter for about 20 minutes. Then scoop onto the berries. Top with chopped hazelnuts. Enjoy!