If you're obsessed with coffee ice cream like I am, you're going to flip over this homemade Ninja Creami version! It's made with freshly brewed coffee, so you get that rich, bold coffee flavor without any artificial taste. Plus, it's incredibly creamy and ridiculously easy to make.
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I'm not sharing this one with my kids—coffee ice cream is my secret weapon for keeping my treats to myself! 😉 While they go for vanilla or chocolate, I'm over here enjoying my caffeinated dessert in peace. It's basically coffee and dessert in one spoonful, so what's not to love?
But coffee ice cream isn't the only flavor I'm obsessed with! When I want something with a cozy twist, I make Maple Coffee Ice Cream that adds warm maple sweetness to every bite. If I'm craving something unique, Green Tea Latte Ice Cream or Spiced Chai Ice Cream hit the spot with their aromatic tea flavors. And when I need a fancy coffee moment, an Italian Affogato—hot espresso poured over vanilla ice cream—is pure indulgence! My family goes crazy for Milo Chocolate Malt Ice Cream with its nostalgic taste, and Thai Tea Ice Cream brings those rich, creamy Thai café vibes home.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Bold Coffee Flavor: Made with real freshly brewed coffee, not artificial flavoring. You're getting authentic coffee taste in every bite.
- Super Easy: Just blend, freeze, and spin. The Ninja Creami does all the hard work for you!
- Customizable: Want it stronger? Use espresso. Prefer it milder? Regular coffee works great. You're in complete control.
- Kid-Proof Dessert: The bold coffee flavor means you won't have little hands reaching for your bowl. Finally, a treat that's all yours!
- Perfect Any Time: Enjoy it as an afternoon pick-me-up, after-dinner dessert, or even as breakfast (we won't judge!).
- High Protein Option: Add protein powder to turn this into a guilt-free, muscle-building treat.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Freshly Brewed Coffee: Provides a robust coffee flavor that infuses the ice cream with a rich, aromatic kick. Use your favorite coffee here! I used my summer favorite Nespresso Coconut Coffee.
- Half and Half: Adds a creamy texture without being too heavy. You can use milk substitutes like oat milk, soy milk, or coconut milk.
- Cottage Cheese: A good protein source that blends smoothly for added creaminess.
- Condensed Milk: Sweetens the ice cream and adds a smooth, rich texture. You can substitute this with monk fruit, agave, honey or regular sugar.
See recipe card for quantities.
Substitutions
Make it Dairy-Free: Swap half and half with oat milk, coconut milk, or soy milk. Use dairy-free cottage cheese (or skip it) and coconut condensed milk.
Lower the Sugar: Replace sweetened condensed milk with evaporated milk and add monk fruit, stevia, or erythritol to taste.
Coffee Choices: Use regular brewed coffee, cold brew, espresso, or even instant coffee dissolved in hot water. Each gives a slightly different flavor profile!
No Cottage Cheese? Greek yogurt or cream cheese can work as alternatives, though cottage cheese gives you the best protein boost.
How to Make Coffee Ice Cream Using Ninja Creami
- In a blender, combine coffee, half and half, cottage cheese, and condensed milk. 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 "Lite Ice Cream" setting and let the Ninja Creami process the mixture. *see notes
- Scoop the coffee 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.
Quick Tips
- Cool Your Coffee Completely: Hot or warm coffee can start melting your other ingredients. Let it come to room temperature first!
- Don't Skip the Full Freeze: 24 hours is ideal. Under-frozen bases won't spin properly and you'll be disappointed.
- Let It Sit: After removing from the freezer, let your pint sit at room temperature for 3-5 minutes before spinning. This often means you won't need a respin!
- Experiment with Coffee Types: Different coffees give different flavors. Dark roasts are bold and intense, light roasts are brighter and fruitier, flavored coffees add fun twists!
- Add Mix-Ins After Spinning: Don't add chocolate chips or nuts before freezing—they'll just get pulverized. Fold them in after spinning for the best texture.
Mix-Ins & Topping Ideas
- Chocolate Shavings: Add a touch of elegance and a burst of rich flavor.
- Toasted Nuts: Enhance the texture with crunchy almonds, walnuts, or hazelnuts.
- Caramel Sauce: Drizzle on top for a sweet and buttery finish.
- Whipped Cream: For a classic and indulgent touch.
- Espresso Beans: Sprinkle on top for an extra coffee kick and crunch. Got mine from Trader Joes!
- Crushed Biscotti: Adds a delightful crunch and additional coffee flavor.
- Coffee Liqueur: A splash adds depth to the coffee flavor (use sparingly if serving kids).
Delicious Variations to Try
- Honey Lavender Coffee Ice Cream – Add a touch of honey and dried lavender for a fragrant, floral twist.
- Cinnamon Mocha Ice Cream – Incorporate cinnamon and cocoa powder for a cozy, chocolatey spin on coffee ice cream.
- Caramel Espresso Ice Cream – Swirl in caramel sauce to add a rich, buttery sweetness to your coffee base.
- Hazelnut Coffee Ice Cream – Add hazelnut extract or a spoonful of Nutella for a nutty, creamy indulgence.
- Irish Cream Coffee Ice Cream – Mix in Irish cream liqueur (or non-alcoholic Irish cream syrup) for a bold and decadent flavor.
- Cold Brew Coffee Ice Cream – Use cold brew coffee for a smoother, less bitter ice cream with deeper coffee notes.
- Espresso Chip Ice Cream – Toss in some mini chocolate chips for a delightful crunch with every coffee-flavored bite.
Equipment
- Ninja CREAMi Deluxe 11-in-1 Ice Cream & Frozen Treat Maker: his will help you achieve the perfect creamy texture and mix-ins distribution for your ice cream.
- Blender: Perfect for blending the ice cream base to a smooth and creamy consistency.
- Ninja Creami Pint Container: The pint container is essential for freezing and churning your coffee ice cream mix.
Coffee Dilemma
Choosing between coffee and coffee ice cream is like debating whether to start your day with a sprint or a nap—just do both and make it a win-win! 😉
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can use decaf coffee if you prefer to avoid caffeine but still want that rich coffee flavor.
Absolutely! Substitute the half and half with a dairy-free milk like oat, soy, or coconut milk, and use a dairy-free cottage cheese alternative if needed.
To reduce sugar, you can use a lower-sugar condensed milk or a sugar substitute. Adjust to taste.
Yes, you can use instant coffee. Just dissolve it in hot water as directed and let it cool before adding to the mixture.
More Ninja Creami Recipes
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Recipe Card
Ninja Creami Coffee Ice Cream
Equipment
- 1 Blender
- 1 Ninja Creami Ice Cream Maker
- 1 Creami Pint Container
Ingredients
- ¾ cup Freshly Brewed Coffee
- 1 cup Half and Half
- ½ cup Cottage Cheese
- ½ cup Condensed Milk
Instructions
- In a blender, combine coffee, half and half, cottage cheese, and condensed milk. Pour the blended mixture into a Ninja Creami pint container, making sure it does not exceed the max fill line.¾ cup Freshly Brewed Coffee, 1 cup Half and Half, ½ cup Cottage Cheese, ½ cup Condensed Milk
- 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 "Lite Ice Cream" setting and let the Ninja Creami process the mixture. *see notes
- Scoop the coffee ice cream into bowls and top with your favorite toppings
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