Rich, creamy, and intensely chocolatey—this homemade chocolate ice cream recipe is simply the best! Made with just 6 ingredients, it delivers a deep chocolate flavor that rivals any ice cream shop. No pudding or gums needed.
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Who doesn’t love chocolate ice cream? I tried a healthier version, but I always come back to this one.
This recipe is my go-to indulgence. It's rich, creamy, and just hits the spot every time. Sometimes, you just need a guilty treat!
If you're looking for more delicious ice cream flavors to try? You’ll love exploring options like pistachio ice cream, red velvet ice cream and even unique choices like Milo ice cream or avocado ice cream. If you're feeling adventurous, don’t miss out on fun flavors like cherry ice cream, peach and cream ice cream, azuki red bean ice cream, or the refreshing watermelon sorbet. There's something for everyone!
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Why You'll Love This?
- Rich and Creamy: This ice cream has an irresistibly smooth texture that melts in your mouth.
- Intense Chocolate Flavor: Made with real chocolate, it delivers a deep, satisfying taste.
- Protein-Packed: Thanks to cottage cheese, it’s not just delicious but also a great source of protein.
- Simple Ingredients: Only 6 ingredients—no pudding or gums added.
- Easy to Make: Whip it up effortlessly with your Ninja Creami.
- Ice Cream Shop Quality: Tastes just as good, if not better, than store-bought.
- Indulgent Treat: Perfect for satisfying your chocolate cravings without compromise.
Ingredients
Here's what you'll need:
- Heavy Cream: Use for a rich, creamy texture that makes the ice cream indulgent and smooth. Swap with full-fat coconut milk for a dairy-free option. It still delivers rich, creamy results.
- Half and Half: Combines cream and milk for a balanced richness without being too heavy. Use whole milk if you're out of half and half. It will be slightly less creamy but still delicious.
- Cottage Cheese: Adds extra creaminess; Cream Cheese or Greek yogurt is a great alternative. It keeps the protein content high and adds a tangy flavor.
- Cocoa Powder: the star of the show! Use a good variety of cocoa powder.
- Vanilla Extract or Bean Paste: Bean paste gives a deeper, more authentic vanilla flavor.
- Condensed Milk: Provides a sweet, creamy consistency—adjust quantity for desired sweetness.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Chocolate Ice Cream Using Ninja Creami
- Heat ¼ cup of half and half in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds, until warm. Then, whisk in the cocoa powder until it’s fully dissolved and smooth. This helps the cocoa powder blend seamlessly into your ice cream base, ensuring a rich, even chocolate flavor.
- In a blender, heavy cream, half and half, cottage cheese, condensed milk, cocoa powder and vanilla. Pour the blended mixture into a Ninja Creami pint container, making sure it does not exceed the max fill line. Place the pint container in the freezer and freeze for at least 18-24 hours.
- After freezing, remove the pint container from the freezer and place it into the Ninja Creami machine. Attach the pint holder lid and lock it into place. Select the "Ice Cream" setting and let the Ninja Creami process the mixture. *see notes
- Scoop the chocolate ice cream into bowls and top with your favorite toppings.
NOTE: If your mixture is still crumbly after the first spin, just hit the "Respin" button and keep going until it’s nice and creamy. Adding a tablespoon of cream or milk can help speed things up.
Normally, if you let it sit out for 5 to 10 minutes after taking it out of the freezer, it usually won't need any spin.
Mix-in or Topping Suggestion for Chocolate Ice Cream
- Crushed Oreos: Add a crunchy, chocolatey twist.
- Peanut Butter Swirl: A classic combo that’s always a hit.
- Chopped Nuts: Almonds or pecans add a satisfying crunch.
- Chocolate Chips: Double down on the chocolate for extra indulgence.
- Fresh Berries: Raspberries or strawberries offer a tart contrast.
- Marshmallow Fluff: Swirl it in for a gooey, sweet surprise.
💪🏼Make It High Protein
- Add Protein Powder: Mix in a scoop of vanilla or unflavored protein powder to boost the protein content without altering the flavor.
- Incorporate Collagen: Stir in a tablespoon of collagen powder to add a protein boost without affecting the flavor or texture.
👍🏼Make It Less Sugar
- Replace Condensed Milk: Substitute with evaporated milk and a low-calorie sweetener like monk fruit, stevia, or erythritol to lower the sugar content.
- Adjust Sweetener: Use a natural sweetener like monk fruit, and feel free to decrease the amount according to your taste to keep the dessert light on sugar.
Variations
- Chocolate Mint: Add a few drops of peppermint extract to the base for a refreshing minty twist.
- Salted Caramel Chocolate: Swirl in caramel sauce and a pinch of sea salt for a sweet and salty combo.
- Espresso Chocolate: Mix in a tablespoon of espresso powder for a mocha-like flavor.
- Peanut Butter Cup: Fold in chopped peanut butter cups for a creamy, nutty treat.
- Spicy Chocolate: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder for a hint of heat.
- Chocolate Hazelnut: Incorporate a few tablespoons of Nutella or chopped hazelnuts for a rich, nutty flavor.
- Cookies and Cream: Stir in crushed chocolate cookies for a delightful cookies-and-cream flavor.
- Orange Chocolate: Add a bit of orange zest or a few drops of orange extract for a citrusy twist.
Equipment
- Ninja Creami Pint Container: The pint container is essential for freezing and churning your ice cream mix.
- Ninja CREAMi Deluxe 11-in-1 Ice Cream & Frozen Treat Maker: The star of the show, perfect for creating creamy, smooth ice cream.
- Blender: To blend the ingredients into a silky base.
Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! Substitute heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk and use a dairy-free condensed milk alternative.
The base should freeze for at least 18-24 hours before processing in the Ninja Creami for the best texture.
You can use a sugar substitute like monk fruit or stevia, but the texture may change slightly.
More Sweet Treats
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Recipe Card
Ninja Creami Chocolate Ice Cream Recipe
Equipment
- Blender
- Ninja Creami Ice Cream Maker
- Ninja Creami Pint Container
Ingredients
- 1 cup Heavy Cream Swap with full-fat coconut milk for a dairy-free option.
- 1 cup Half and Half Use whole milk if you're out of half and half.
- ½ cup Cottage Cheese Or use cream cheese or yogurt
- ¼ cup Cocoa Powder
- 2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract or Bean Paste
- ½ cup Condensed Milk Alternatively, use sugar or sugar substitute. Adjust according to your sweetness preference
Instructions
- Heat ¼ cup of half and half in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds, until warm. Then, whisk in the cocoa powder until it’s fully dissolved and smooth. This helps the cocoa powder blend seamlessly into your ice cream base, ensuring a rich, even chocolate flavor.
- In a blender, heavy cream, half and half, cottage cheese, condensed milk, cocoa powder and vanilla. Pour the blended mixture into a Ninja Creami pint container, making sure it does not exceed the max fill line.
- Place the pint container in the freezer and freeze for at least 18-24 hours.
- After freezing, remove the pint container from the freezer and place it into the Ninja Creami machine. Attach the pint holder lid and lock it into place. Select the " Ice Cream" setting and let the Ninja Creami process the mixture. *see notes
- Scoop the chocolate ice cream into bowls and top with your favorite toppings.
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