Cherry Vanilla Snow Cone

Snow cones are a quintessential summer food.  Even though it’s technically still spring, it already feels a lot like summer here in Florida.

Inspired by a request for a vegan snow cone with little or no sugar, I came up with this recipe.  I think it’s delicious with just the fruit, but I’m weird.  The amount of added sweetener is really up to personal preference.  I used around 2 tbsps to appease my more normal taste testers (aka family).  To add a little extra natural sweetness, I threw pineapple into the mix since it is such a sweet fruit.  I considered adding banana, since it is probably even sweeter, but I think it would overpower the cherries and vanilla.

Snow cones come in about a billion flavors.  Those little snow cone shacks that pop up in the summertime always have a wall full of flavored syrups.  Most of those bottles don’t have a drop of real fruit in them, it’s all sugar.  I almost always chose either vanilla or cherry, so why not cherry vanilla?

Cherry Vanilla Snow Cone

Makes 3 servings

1/2 cup cherries (pitted)

1/2 cup pineapple

Up to 1/4 cup agave nectar (or sweetener of choice)

1/2 tsp vanilla

6 cups ice

1. Blend the cherries, pineapple, sweetener (if using, start with a little and taste it), and vanilla on high.
2. Crush the ice in the blender.
3. Pour the syrup over the ice and enjoy.