This Ninja Creami red velvet cake ice cream is creamy, lightly chocolatey, and has that little cream cheese tang everyone loves in red velvet cake.
If you like chocolate ice cream or chocolate chip ice cream, this easy no-cook flavor is a fun one to try. It tastes like red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting, only frozen and scoopable.
My husband is obsessed with red velvet cake. The cocoa. The tang. The cream cheese frosting. We’ve tried red velvet ice cream everywhere- Baskin-Robbins, Ben & Jerry’s - and it’s always good… but never quite right.
Valentine’s Day desserts are always trying to be extra. People want salted caramel, rose ice cream, chocolate everything… and I’m just trying to make something cute without dirtying ten bowls.
So I took what we love about red velvet cake and turned it into a Ninja Creami ice cream we could make at home. The result? Creamy, dreamy, and gone way too fast.
If you like fun Cake-inspired flavors, don’t miss my Ninja Creami Birthday Cake Ice Cream or Cookies and Cream next.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Ninja Creami Red Velvet Ice Cream
- What Is Red Velvet Ice Cream, Really?
- This Recipe Is for the 24 oz Ninja Creami Deluxe
- Ingredients
- Substitution and Additions
- How To Make Red Velvet Ice Cream in Ninja Creami
- Mix-in or Topping Ideas
- Equipment Used
- Recipe Tips That Actually Help
- Ninja CREAMI FAQs
- More Chocolate-Based Ninja Creami Flavors
- Did you try this recipe?
- Recipe Card
- Ninja Creami Red Velvet Cake Ice Cream
Why You'll Love This Ninja Creami Red Velvet Ice Cream
- Creamy, scoopable texture
- Real red velvet flavor (not fake chocolate)
- Inspired by cream cheese frosting
- Easy Ninja Creami base - no cooking cake mixes
- Fun color for holidays or parties
- Customizable with mix-ins
What Is Red Velvet Ice Cream, Really?
Red velvet ice cream isn’t just chocolate ice cream dyed red.
The flavor comes from:
- A small amount of cocoa powder
- Vanilla
- Cream cheese tang (the secret sauce)
- A smooth, creamy base
It’s mildly chocolatey, not overpowering, and balanced with that classic red velvet tang — just like the cake.
This Recipe Is for the 24 oz Ninja Creami Deluxe
This recipe is written for the 24 oz Ninja Creami Deluxe pint. If you’re using the standard 16 oz Ninja Creami pint, make about ⅔ of the base (or pour the extra into a second pint and freeze it for later).
Ingredients
Here's what you'll need: For this recipe I use:
- Half and Half: This gives your ice cream a smooth, creamy texture.
- Cream Cheese: A must for that real red velvet cake flavor. It adds richness and depth.
- Condensed Milk: Sweetens the ice cream and gives it a rich, thick consistency.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: A little bit of cocoa powder balances the sweetness and adds a mild chocolatey flavor.
- Vanilla Extract or vanilla bean paste: Enhances the overall flavor profile.
- Red Coloring Gel: This is what gives the ice cream that beautiful red velvet hue.
- Dark or Milk Chocolate Chips/Chunks: Optional, but they add a delicious texture and chocolate flavor to your ice cream.
See recipe card for quantities.
Substitution and Additions
- No red food coloring: Use beetroot powder for a natural red hue.
- Extra chocolate: Add chocolate chips for a richer flavor.
- Dairy-Free: Use coconut milk or almond milk instead of half and half, and opt for a non-dairy cream cheese substitute.
- Sweetener Swap: If you're looking to make this lower in sugar, substitute condensed milk with a sugar-free alternative or use stevia.
- Flavor Twist: Add a dash of cinnamon for a unique flavor twist, or swap the chocolate chips for white chocolate for a different experience.
How To Make Red Velvet Ice Cream in Ninja Creami
- Mix the Ingredients: Start by blending together the half and half, cream cheese, condensed milk, cocoa powder, vanilla, and red coloring gel in a blender. Make sure everything is well combined and smooth.
- Freeze: Pour the mixture into a Ninja Creami pint container, making sure the lid is securely in place. Freeze for at least 24 hours in a freezer-safe container.
- Use Your Ninja Creami: After freezing, take the mixture out and place it in the Ninja Creami machine. Use the “Ice Cream” setting to churn the mixture until you get a smooth and creamy consistency.
- Add Chocolate Chips: Once the ice cream is smooth and creamy, make a small hole in the center of the pint. Add the chocolate chips, then run the Mix-In cycle. Use about ¼ cup chocolate chips or chopped chocolate.
- Enjoy: Scoop and serve in bowls, or top with some cream cheese frosting or extra chocolate chunks for an even more indulgent treat!
Mix-in or Topping Ideas
- Chocolate chips (classic)
- Cream cheese frosting drizzle
- Red velvet cake chunks
- Chopped pecans or walnuts
- Sprinkles for parties
- Raspberry or cherry compote
Equipment Used
- 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.
- Ninja Creami Pint Container: The pint container is essential for freezing and churning your ice cream mix.
Recipe Tips That Actually Help
- Use gel food coloring: It’s more vibrant and less likely to alter texture.
- Blend thoroughly: Ensures a smooth, lump-free base.
- Adjust Sweetness: Make your ice cream base slightly sweeter than desired. Freezing naturally tones down sweetness and flavor.
- Freeze completely: Allow 24 hours for the best results.
- Customize: Adjust cocoa and sweetness to your preference.
- Storage: Keep in an airtight container for freshness.
- If it looks dry after the first spin, add 1 tablespoon of half-and-half or milk, then select Re-Spin. Add another small splash only if needed.
Ninja CREAMI FAQs
This can happen if your freezer runs very cold. Add 1 tablespoon of half-and-half or milk, then run the Re-Spin cycle.
Yes. Use about two-thirds of each ingredient so the mixture stays below the max-fill line.
No. This recipe gets its red velvet flavor from cocoa powder, vanilla, and cream cheese.
Yes. It will taste the same, but the ice cream will be light brown instead of red.
Yes. Add small cake pieces after spinning, then use the Mix-In cycle.
Smooth the top, cover the pint, and return it to the freezer. Let it sit out for a few minutes before serving again, or run another Re-Spin if needed.
More Chocolate-Based Ninja Creami Flavors
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Recipe Card
Ninja Creami Red Velvet Cake Ice Cream
Equipment
- 1 Ninja CREAMi Deluxe 11-in-1 Ice Cream & Frozen Treat Maker
- 1 Ninja Creami Pint Container 24 oz
- 1 Blender
Ingredients
- 1½ cup Half-and-half
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- ½ cup Cream cheese
- ½ cup Condensed milk
- ¼ cup Cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon Red food coloring gel
- ¼ cup chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
Instructions
- Blend the base: In a blender, combine half-and-half, vanilla extract, cream cheese, condensed milk, cocoa powder, and red food coloring until smooth.1½ cup Half-and-half, 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract, ½ cup Cream cheese, ½ cup Condensed milk, ¼ cup Cocoa powder, ½ teaspoon Red food coloring gel
- Freeze: Pour the mixture into a Ninja Creami pint container and freeze for at least 24 hours.
- Spin: Spin on Ice Cream. Re-Spin if needed. Once the ice cream is smooth and creamy, make a small hole in the center of the pint
- Mix-Ins: Add the chocolate chips, then run the Mix-In cycle.¼ cup chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
- Serve: Enjoy immediately or store in an airtight container.
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Notes
- Use gel food coloring: It’s more vibrant and less likely to alter texture.
- Blend thoroughly: Ensures a smooth, lump-free base.
- Adjust Sweetness: Make your ice cream base slightly sweeter than desired. Freezing naturally tones down sweetness and flavor.
- Freeze completely: Allow 24 hours for the best results.
- Customize: Adjust cocoa and sweetness to your preference.
- Storage: Keep in an airtight container for freshness.
