Treat your family and friends to an American classic right at home using your Ninja Creami ice cream maker. This Ninja Creami Strawberry Ice Cream delivers a luscious, velvety texture and flavors that capture the essence of summer with every spoonful. Best of all, only five ingredients stand between you and this heavenly dessert! Grab your apron, and let's churn out this frozen treat together.
Today, we're going to delve into a sweet treat that's perfect for those warm summer days or when you're just craving something delightfully refreshing.
We're making strawberry ice cream in the Ninja Creami, a dessert as fun to make as it is to eat! This recipe is a crowd-pleaser, not only for its vibrant flavors but also for its creamy, dreamy texture.
The magic of this recipe lies in its simplicity. With just a handful of ingredients and less than 15 minutes of your time, you can whip up Ninja strawberry ice cream that rivals any gourmet ice cream shop offering.
Grab your Ninja Creami, and let's get started on this sweet adventure!
Ingredients
- Half and Half: If you're looking for a lighter strawberry Ninja Creami ice cream, you could substitute it with whole milk. Or make it even richer by using heavy cream. For a dairy-free version, almond or coconut milk would work well.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: This adds a delightful sweetness and contributes to the creamy texture of the ice cream.
- Sliced Strawberries: They provide a fresh, fruity flavor that pairs wonderfully with the creamy base. Feel free to substitute with other berries like raspberries or blueberries, or even a mix of your favorite fruits!
- Vanilla Extract: It gives our ice cream that classic, comforting vanilla flavor. You could use vanilla bean paste or vanilla powder if that is what you have on hand.
- Salt: A pinch of salt enhances all the other flavors in the ice cream. Feel free to omit if you're watching your sodium intake, although it does make a difference in bringing out the sweetness of the dessert.
Step by Step
For the full recipe with measurements, see the recipe card at the end of the post.
Tips and Tricks
- Choose Ripe Strawberries: The riper the berries, the sweeter and more flavorful your ice cream will be. Look for strawberries that are bright red from top to bottom. If berries are out of season, frozen strawberries are a great option - just thaw slightly before you blend the base.
- Use High-Quality Vanilla: While it might be tempting to skimp on this ingredient, using high-quality vanilla extract can significantly enhance the flavor of this Ninja Creami strawberry ice cream recipe.
- Don't Rush the Freezing Process: Patience is key when it comes to freezing your ice cream. Make sure to freeze your mixture for at least 24 hours before processing in the Ninja Creami to achieve the best consistency.
- Give It a Good Stir: After processing the ice cream in the Ninja Creami, don't forget to give it a good stir. If it's crumbly, just pop it back onto the base and select the respin option.
- Storage Tips: Homemade ice cream can be stored in ice cream storage containers in the freezer for up to two weeks. To prevent ice crystals from forming, place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the ice cream before covering with the lid.
- Mix-Ins: Feel free to add your favorite mix-ins after the first spin of your homemade strawberry ice cream. Chocolate chips are a great option!
- Low Carb or Keto?: Use heavy whipping cream in place of the half and half and condensed milk. You can reduce the liquid by two tablespoons and add in full-fat cream cheese for more depth of flavor. Substitute a low calorie and keto-friendly sweetener like allulose or stevia. (I don’t recommend Swerve or other erythritol sweeteners because they don’t yield a creamy ice cream.)
FAQs
Can I just put frozen fruit in my Ninja Creami?
You can use frozen fruit to make bases for your Ninja Creami, but just adding frozen fruit won't result in a creamy ice cream texture due to the lack of fat and sugar.
The Ninja Creami is designed to aerate the mixture while freezing, which contributes to the smooth, creamy consistency of traditional ice cream.
If you were to put only BLENDED frozen fruit in the machine, you'd end up with a more sorbet-like texture, rather than creamy ice cream. Additionally, depending on the fruit's water content, it could result in an icy, rather than smooth, texture.
While it's entirely possible to put frozen fruit in the Ninja Creami, the fruit has to be blended in a blender or food processor first and it's best done in addition to a base that includes some sort of cream or liquid and a sweetener.
Why is my ice cream icy with Ninja Creami?
To ensure your ice cream has a creamy texture, chill your mixture in the refrigerator for 24 hours before freezing it in the Ninja Creami. Additionally, check that your freezer is set to the correct temperature - it should be 0° F.
Another trick if your ice cream isn't smooth and creamy is to give your ice cream a good stir when it comes out of the machine and then let it sit at room temperature for 5 minutes before serving. This gives the ice cream time to soften up and ensures a rich, creamy texture.
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More Frozen Treats to Try
- For a refreshing twist on a classic dessert, check out our Honey Lemon Strawberry Sorbet, where the tangy citrus notes beautifully complement the sweetness of fresh strawberries.
- If you're looking for a tropical delight, our Mango Sorbet is a must-try; it's pure mango goodness in every scoop.
- Coffee lovers, rejoice! Our Ninja Creami Coffee Ice Cream recipe combines your favorite brew with creamy indulgence for a perfect pick-me-up treat.
- Lastly, if you want to keep things light and zesty, our Ninja Creami Lemon Sorbet is a fantastic palate cleanser, bursting with fresh lemony goodness. Easy Ninja Creami recipes don’t get any better than this!
Ninja Creami Strawberry Ice Cream with Condensed Milk
Equipment
- Ninja Creami
Ingredients
- ¾ cup half and half or whole milk
- ¾ cup sweetened condensed milk
- ½ cup sliced strawberries
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Place the half and half, condensed milk, strawberries, vanilla, and salt in a blender. Process until smooth.
- Pour the mixture into a Ninja Creami pint and freeze for 24 hours.
- Remove the pint from the freezer, and place it in the outer bowl of the Ninja Creami. Lock the lid into its place, and then place on the motor base.
- Select ICE CREAM, and process according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Remove the ice cream from the Creami. Give it a good stir. If it is crumbly, return it to the base and select respin.
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