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Have you seen the Ninja Creami ice cream maker? It’s an appliance that can make all kinds of frozen treats, including delicious ice cream, in just minutes. I’ve used it to make this Ninja Creami Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe.
» You might also like this Orange Creamsicle Ice Cream.
We reviewed the Ninja Creami recently when we were given one to try out. I started making ice cream the first day I unboxed it and I have to admit that my freezer is now full of different variations. It all started with the basic Ninja Creami Vanilla ice cream and blossomed from there, once I realized how simple it was to do.
If you have a Ninja Creami, or are thinking about getting one, this vanilla ice cream is a great place to start. Read through the recipe below and you’ll see how simple it is. Just 5 ingredients and about 5 minutes of your time will give you a pretty great ice cream.
From this vanilla base, you can make all kinds of variations. You can add in any toppings you want after you’ve mixed it, like chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or fruit. Or you can adjust the recipe before you freeze it to make it a flavored ice cream, like chocolate, mint, or blueberry! The possibilities are endless.
Ingredients You Need
- Cream cheese (softened) – This is the base of the original Ninja Creami recipe. It only takes a tablespoon, and if you forget to soften it, that’s no probably because you can zap it in the microwave quickly.
- White sugar – You can also use a substitute sugar like allulose to make a sugar-free version.
- Vanilla extract – Use a high quality extract for the best flavor. You can also use vanilla bean paste, if you want.
- Heavy whipping cream or half and half – heavy cream produces the creamiest result, but you can cut the calories and fat a bit by using half and half and it’s just as good (only a little less creamy)
- Whole milk – Best to stick with whole milk, lest the ice cream turn out more like snow.
Equipment Needed
Ninja CREAMi Deluxe
There are two version of the Ninja Creami, but I’d suggest going with the Deluxe because it adds more features and churning power.
Make completely customizable ice cream, slushies, Italian Ice, Creamiccinos, sorbet, milkshakes, and frozen yogurt functions.
How to Make This Ninja Creami Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe
Put the cream cheese in a mixing bowl. If it’s not room temperature and soft, you can microwave it for 10 seconds to softened it.
Add the sugar and vanilla extract to the bowl. Whisk it together until it’s smooth.
Pour in the heavy cream and milk. Whisk again to combine everything together.
Pour the mixture into the Creami pint jar. Cover it with the lid and freeze it for 24 hours.
When ready, remove the pint jar from the freezer and secure it in the blending jar. Turn on the Ninja Creami. Slide the blending jar into the machine and lock it in to the right.
Select top, bottom, or full, depending on how much of the pint jar you want to mix. Select the ice cream setting with the dial. Press the dial in to start. It will take 2 minutes to blend.
When done, push the button on the left of the machine to release the blending jar, then slide it out of the machine and remove the lid.
If you want add-ins, create a hole in the center of the ice cream, plop in your add-ins. Put the blending jar back into the machine and press the add-ins button.
Don’t Forget the Ice Cream Scoop!
I love this ice cream scoop. It’s a heavy-duty stainless steel scoop that’s easy to grip and it makes scooping so easy!
Tips for Making Great Ice Cream
- If your ice cream turns out powdery the first time, it’s because the ice cream is very cold. Put it back in the machine and run the Re-Spin cycle. This will make the ice cream creamier.
- The higher the quality of the ingredients you use, the better the ice cream will turn out. The quality of the vanilla extract has the highest impact on the flavor.
- I’ve used half and half instead of whole cream a few times and it’s turned out really good, though not quite as creamy. You can try it both ways to see how you like it best.
Ninja Creami Frequently Asked Questions
Do you really need to freeze it for 24 hours?
The manufacturer’s guidelines suggest that 24 hours is the optimal time to freeze your base. I’ve tried it after 20 hours and that worked well for me, possibly because my freezer is colder than some. The unit is designed to process bases that are between 9F and -7F. I would try to stick with the 24-hour requirement as closely as possible so it has time to reach this range.
What if my ice cream or treat turns out powdery?
I believe this happens because the mixture is very cold. If you let it sit for 10 minutes and stir it again, it will blend better and be more creamy. However, the best way to deal with this issue for me has been to respin it immediately. The respin always fixed the issue.
How much of my add-in ingredients should I add?
Ninja recommends adding a total of 1/4 cup of your favorite crushed candies, frozen fruits, chopped nuts, chocolate pieces, or whatever add-ins you want. You can mix and match, as you like. I like to blend the top with 1/8 cup of one add-in, then blend the bottom with 1/8 cup of another add-in, for variety.
What do I do with leftovers?
It’s quite possible you will have leftovers, since the Deluxe pints hold 3 cups. Ninja recommends storing leftovers in the pint jar so that it can be processed again. Some treats re-freeze very hard and need to be processed again in order to enjoy leftovers. If you move them to a different container, you can’t reprocess.
Do I have to make the whole pint each time?
There is no minimum fill line. You should try to fill the pint at least half way to the MAX FILL line to achieve the best output texture, but filling below this level will not harm the machine. For me, making half a recipe has turned out just fine.
» If you love ice cream as much as I do you will love these 47 Homemade Ice Cream Recipes for the Ice Cream Maker!
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Ninja Creami Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe
Have you seen the Ninja Creami ice cream maker? It's an appliance that can make all kinds of frozen treats, including delicious ice cream, in just minutes. I've used it to make this Ninja Creami Vanilla Ice Cream.
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Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Cream, Cream Cheese, Sugar
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Freeze and Churn Time: 1 day 2 minutes
Total Time: 1 day 7 minutes
Servings: 1 Pint
Calories: 1008kcal
Author: Laura
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon cream cheese softened
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream or half and half
- 1 cup whole milk
Instructions
Put the cream cheese in a mixing bowl. Microwave for 10 seconds if it’s not yet softened.
Add the sugar and vanilla extract. Whisk together until smooth.
Pour in the heavy cream and milk. Whisk to combine.
Pour the mixture into the Creami pint jar. Cover with the lid and freeze for 24 hours.
When ready, remove the pint jar from the freezer and secure it in the blending jar. Turn on the Ninja Creami. Slide the blending jar into the machine and lock it in to the right.
Select top, bottom, or full, depending on how much of the pint jar you want to mix. Select the ice cream setting with the dial. Press the dial in to start. It will take 2 minutes to blend.
When done, push the button on the left of the machine to release the blending jar, then slide it out of the machine and remove the lid.
If you want add-ins, create a hole in the center of the ice cream, plop in your add-ins. Put the blending jar back into the machine and press the add-ins button.
Equipment Needed
Ninja Creami Ice Cream Maker
Notes
- If your ice cream turns out powdery, it’s because the ice cream is very cold. Put it back in the machine and run the Re-Spin cycle. This will make the ice cream creamier.
Nutrition
Calories: 1008kcal | Carbohydrates: 68g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 77g | Saturated Fat: 49g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 19g | Cholesterol: 246mg | Sodium: 187mg | Potassium: 562mg | Sugar: 68g | Vitamin A: 3214IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 433mg | Iron: 0.2mg
🥧 If you’re interested in more great recipes,I share all my favorite Instant Pot recipes over at A Pressure Cooker Kitchen, air fryer recipes at Air Fry Anytime, and cocktails and drinks at Savored Sips. Check it out today!
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Laura
Laura is a home cook who loves making new recipes and finding new favorite things to eat, whether at home or abroad. She also runs a popular travel blog and spends a lot of her time traveling for food.
FAQs
Why is my Ninja CREAMi ice cream greasy? ›
Why is there a greasy feel to my Ninja Creami ice cream? The heavy whipping cream has a tendency to turn greasy or almost butterlike when there is too much added or it is over-mixed.
Do you have to wait 24 hours to use Ninja CREAMi? ›Most ice creams and gelatos have about four or five ingredients, while the sorbets have just two or three. After you've whisked up a recipe in a large bowl -- it generally takes no more than a few minutes -- you must freeze your pint-sized tubs of ice cream mix for 20 to 24 hours.
Why is my ice cream powdery Ninja CREAMi? ›My frozen treat looks crumbly or powdery after processing. When bases are frozen in very cold freezers, they may come out crumbly. After running a One-Touch Program, use the RE-SPIN Program to make your frozen treat smoother and creamier.
Can I put frozen fruit in the Ninja CREAMi? ›You can use frozen fruit and the lite vanilla recipe in the booklet. Works very very well, I have used it several times!!!
What is the difference between Ninja CREAMi modes? ›The Ninja Creami Deluxe version expands upon the original Ninja Creami, which offers seven functions (ice cream, sorbet, lite ice cream, gelato, milkshake, smoothie bowl, and mix-in) while the Deluxe offers 11 (it adds slushy, Italian ice, frozen drink, Creamiccino, and frozen yogurt to the mix).
Can you use fresh fruit in the Ninja CREAMi? ›Can I use fresh or frozen fruit instead of canned fruit? You can use fresh or frozen fruit for Ninja Creami recipes.
Why does Ninja CREAMi leave a film in my mouth? ›Generally speaking, if your homemade ice cream is waxy and leaves a film in your mouth it is from one of two things. First, there could be too much fat content (cream) in your ice cream. Second, you could have over-mixed or over-churned your ice cream so it starts turning into butter!
Why is my CREAMi ice cream grainy? ›Ice cream can take on a grainy texture if it melts and then refreezes. When this happens, the small ice crystals melt, refreeze, and form large ice crystals. Large ice crystals can also form because of evaporation when moisture is lost and then recrystallizes inside the container.
What is the best sugar substitute for Ninja CREAMi? ›Here are two recipe tips for making the best sugar-free Oreo ice cream using a Ninja Creami machine: Use a sugar-free sweetener: To make sugar-free Oreo ice cream, you can use a sugar-free sweetener like allulose, erythritol, stevia, or monk fruit.
Can I freeze Ninja CREAMi for 12 hours? ›Do you have to freeze the base for 24 hours? The Ninja CREAMi guide says you must freeze for 24 hours but I have tried to use it after they have only frozen for 6-8 hours and it still works great just slightly less thick.
What is the best freezer temperature for Ninja CREAMi? ›
Ninja Creami Tips and Tricks:
-Be sure to let the base freeze for a full 24 hours, level and upright in a cold freezer. The freezer temperature should be between 9 and -7 degrees Fahrenheit.
Well, ice cream is less dense than other frozen foods, so melted ice cream usually means your freezer either has a minor cooling issue or it is an indication that a freezer component is failing and needs to be repaired or replaced.
How do you know when ice cream is done churning? ›Churn just until the ice cream is thick, and about the consistency of soft serve, then transfer to another container and store in the freezer.
How do you make ice cream more creamy? ›Liquid sugars like invert sugar, corn syrup, honey, and glucose syrup all add body, creaminess, and stability to ice cream, and a little goes a long way.
Why is my Ninja CREAMi sorbet crumbly? ›NOTE: If your freezer is set to a very cold temperature, the sorbet may look crumbly. If this occurs, select RE-SPIN to process the mixture a little more if not adding mix-ins. CREAMi PREP TIP: Make the most of your time by prepping several CREAMi™ Pints at once!
Can you cook frozen pizza in a Ninja? ›Yes! You can cook a frozen pizza with the Ninja Foodi Digital Air Fry Oven.
When should you not use frozen fruit? ›The US Department of Health recommends consuming frozen fruits like berries and melons within 10 to 18 months of purchase. Meanwhile, fruits like bananas should be consumed within 2-3 months, apples within 8 months, and kiwi shouldn't even be frozen.
Is the Deluxe Ninja CREAMi worth it? ›Overall, the Ninja Creami Deluxe is a great option for those who want to experiment with making different types of frozen treats. It has a large capacity and is easy to use and clean. However, it may not be ideal for those with small kitchens or those looking for a more affordable option.
What is the newest Ninja CREAMi model? ›In September 2022, Ninja released the Ninja CREAMi Deluxe 11-in-1, which promises more functionality than the previous 7-in-1 and 5-in-1 versions. Compared to the original Ninja CREAMi model, the Deluxe model also offers larger container sizes.
Does Ninja CREAMi make shaved ice? ›Using the Italian Ice function in your CREAMI Deluxe will give a velvety smooth shaved-ice like texture that's so good, it's best enjoyed with a spoon.
Does the Ninja Creami make smoothies? ›
This multi-use ice cream machine churns out stellar smoothie bowls (yes, smoothie bowls!).
Are Ninja Creami pints microwavable? ›23 DO NOT operate the appliance with an empty container. 24 DO NOT microwave the containers or accessories provided with the appliance, except the CREAMI Pint. The pint can be microwaved.
What year did the Ninja Creami come out? ›First and foremost, if you've never heard of it, the Ninja CREAMi is a seven-in-one ice cream maker. The kitchen gadget came out in July 2021, but it has really taken off this year thanks in part to TikTok.
How many different Ninja Creami are there? ›What is the difference between the Ninja CREAMi models? Ninja has released three versions of the CREAMi which can be hard to tell apart. The original “5-in-1” and “7-in-1” Ninja CREAMI models can make five and seven different frozen treats in 16 ounce containers.
How do you prevent ice crystals in Ninja Creami? ›“If you've ever had crunchy ice cream, it probably had big ice crystals in there.” Egg yolk is a good stabilizer, meaning it prohibits ice crystal growth and thickens the texture of the final product. You'll also see plant-based stabilizers like guar gum or carob gum used to similar effect.
Can you churn ice cream too long? ›Icy texture can also be due to over-churning. Ice crystals begin to form during the churning process. This is what gives ice cream its texture. However, if you churn for too long, the crystals continue to get bigger and can give your ice cream an icy texture.
What helps ice cream keep a smooth creamy texture? ›Emulsifiers keep the ice cream smooth and aid the distribution of the fat molecules throughout the colloid. Today, two emulsifiers frequently show up on the ingredients label of many ice cream formulations, namely, mono- and di-glycerides , and Polysorbate 80.
How long does it take to make ice cream in a Ninja ice cream maker? ›With that being said, because the ingredients are already frozen, the CREAMi takes mere minutes to work its magic. It's ready in about five minutes, whereas most ice cream machines need about 15 or 20 minutes of churn time.
Can you respin leftover ice cream in the Ninja CREAMi? ›The re-spin setting is to be used only after initial processing and BEFORE re-freezing. If you have to re-spin every time you use the machine you may want to consider bumping the temperature of your freezer up a few degrees because it is probably freezing colder than the range that Ninja suggests.
Why are the lights flashing on my Ninja CREAMi? ›If the install light is flashing: - The outer bowl is not installed or is not installed correctly. Make sure to install the paddle into the outer bowl lid and the lid onto the outer bowl. Then place the outer bowl onto the motor base with the handle centred below the control panel.
How do you know when ice cream is done in ice cream maker? ›
Start the motor, and churn until the ice cream is done, approximately 30 minutes to one hour, or even longer at times. You will know when it's done because the ice cream will start to expand and rise to the top, and the motor will slow down. You will hear the motor change. Store the ice cream.
How fast do you churn ice cream? ›Ice cream takes a while to churn, about 15 minutes in most ice cream machines that we use at home. If you find that after 15 to 20 minutes, your ice cream still isn't a soft serve consistency, you might not be able to get it to "thicken" further in the ice cream machine.
Can you microwave Ninja CREAMi cups? ›I put mine in the microwave for 30 seconds all the time and they are ok.
Can you put Ninja cups in the freezer? ›The ninja professional 1500 watt replacement parts non-original aftermarket part and these hand blender cup is dishwasher safe, freezer safe and microwave safe.
How many pints does a Ninja CREAMi have? ›Looking to make even more CREAMi treats? Store your extra delicious creations right in your CREAMi Pints. 4 Pints and 4 Colored Lids in Aqua, Lime, Pink, and Gray included. With the Ninja CREAMi, you can have total control of your ingredients for low sugar, keto, dairy-free, and vegan options.
Why is my Creami ice cream grainy? ›Ice cream can take on a grainy texture if it melts and then refreezes. When this happens, the small ice crystals melt, refreeze, and form large ice crystals. Large ice crystals can also form because of evaporation when moisture is lost and then recrystallizes inside the container.
Can you freeze ice cream mixture before churning? ›From a consistency standpoint you are fine as long as you use a stabilizer like guar gum. Pure cream and egg custards may not take kindly to an extra freeze-thaw cycle. The issue you may get is getting your flavors mixed in a cold base.
What is the newest model of the Ninja CREAMi? ›In September 2022, Ninja released the Ninja CREAMi Deluxe 11-in-1, which promises more functionality than the previous 7-in-1 and 5-in-1 versions. Compared to the original Ninja CREAMi model, the Deluxe model also offers larger container sizes.
What is the difference between Ninja CREAMi and blender? ›The Ninja Creami is a machine by Ninja that lets you make different frozen treats, like ice cream, sorbet, smoothie bowls, gelato and milkshakes. Ninja makes it very clear this is not a blender but instead is a machine that turns frozen foods into ice cream treats using "creamify" technology.
Can Ninja CREAMi go in dishwasher? ›The tubs, lids and paddle are top rack dishwasher safe for hassle-free cleaning, or wash by hand with soapy water. Inspiration is included with a Recipe Guide in the box, packed with delicious Ninja Creami recipes!