Easy Ninja Creami Vanilla Ice Cream (5 Ingredients)

Vanilla ice cream is a classic, and making it in the Ninja Creami means I can finally skip those giant Costco tubs.

Five ingredients, no cooking, no eggs. Blend, freeze for 24 hours, and spin. This is also the base I reach for whenever I want to build another flavor, strawberry, s'mores, pistachio, cookie butter, you name it, since a good vanilla base is where all of those actually start.

Once you've made the base, it works for a lot more than plain vanilla. Use it for strawberry ice cream, s'mores ice cream, pistachio ice cream, or cookie butter ice cream. Making it at home also means you control the sweetness and creaminess yourself, instead of whatever ratio's in the tub.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Heavy Cream: Gives the base its rich, smooth texture.
• Half and Half: Balances the richness so it's not too heavy.
• Cottage Cheese: Adds body and a protein boost. Blend it well so it disappears into the base.
• Condensed Milk: Sweetens the base. Adjust the amount to taste.
• Vanilla Extract or Vanilla Bean Paste: Extract gives a classic flavor. Paste adds more depth and real vanilla specks.

See recipe card for quantities.

How To Make Vanilla Ice Cream Using Ninja Creami

1. In a blender, combine the heavy cream, half and half, cottage cheese, condensed milk, and vanilla until smooth. Pour into a Ninja Creami pint container, making sure it doesn't exceed the max fill line.

2. Place the pint container in the freezer and freeze for at least 18-24 hours.

3. 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

4. Scoop the vanilla 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 extra spin.

Mix-in or Topping Ideas for Vanilla Ice Cream

• Chocolate Chips: Dark or milk, for a sweet, crunchy bite.
• Caramel Sauce: A warm drizzle for buttery flavor.
• Crushed Cookies: Oreos, chocolate chip cookies, or graham crackers for texture.
• Fresh Fruit: Strawberries, blueberries, or mango chunks on top.
• Nuts: Chopped almonds, walnuts, or pecans for crunch.
• Sprinkles: For the kids, or for anyone who wants them.
• Whipped Cream: A dollop on top never hurts.
• Brownie Bites: Fold in small pieces for extra richness.

Variations

• Birthday Cake Ice Cream: Fold in cake pieces and sprinkles after blending.
• Mango Ice Cream: Blend in fresh or frozen mango chunks.
• Halo-Halo Ice Cream: Mix in sweet beans, jackfruit, and coconut for a Filipino spin.
• Cookie Butter Ice Cream: Swirl in cookie butter after spinning.
• Affogato: Pour a shot of espresso over the vanilla ice cream.
• Chocolate Chip Ice Cream: Stir in chocolate chips after spinning.

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 ice cream mix.

How to Store Leftovers

Cover the pint with the lid and keep it in the freezer. It's best eaten within 1-2 weeks, after that the texture starts to get icier even though it's still safe to eat.

When you're ready for more, it'll be hard again straight out of the freezer. Run it through the Ninja Creami on the Ice Cream or Re-Spin setting to bring it back to scoopable, or let it sit out for 5-10 minutes first the way you do with a fresh batch.