I made 2 Ninja Creami vanilla base custards and churned both, just to see which one tasted better and was the creamiest. The ice cream with a bit of cream cheese in it, just 1 tablespoon per pint, was far creamier and far richer tasting than the base with no cream cheese.
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This easy Ninja Creami Vanilla Ice Cream is the perfect flavor for all your favorite mix-ins, but it’s also a great launching pad for other flavors like strawberry, chocolate, or whatever fancy ice cream your brain can conjure up.
And it’s so easy to make. Just 1 tablespoon of full-fat cream cheese transforms the ice cream, turning it from milky tasting (yes, even with cream) to rich and indulgent. The flavor was very much like a French vanilla, and it was hands-down the winner in our taste test.
Ingredients
- Cream cheese – Use a good brand of whole fat cream cheese for the best texture.
- Whole milk – Use cow’s milk. I haven’t tested this recipe with other milks.
- Heavy whipping cream – You can use half and half but it won’t be nearly as creamy or rich tasting.
- Powdered sugar – You don’t need more than this. We already eat way too much sugar.
- Vanilla extract – I used artificial vanilla and it was just fine.
- Salt – I use kosher salt for the most pure salt flavor.
How to Make Ninja Creami Vanilla Ice Cream Base
Scroll down for the full recipe card with exact measurements and printable instructions.
Melt the cream cheese in a microwave-safe bowl on high for 5-10 seconds or until just softened. Be careful, it’ll splatter everywhere.
Mix in the milk, cream, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt, and whisk until the salt is dissolved.
Transfer the custard base to the Ninja Creami pint container for freezing. Freeze for 6-8 hours or overnight.
Remove the lid from the frozen pint and fit it into the Ninja Creami. Press the Ice Cream setting, then add a teaspoon of milk or cream and respin it on the respin cycle.
Serve and enjoy!
Chef Jenn’s Tips
- Use powdered sweetener instead of granulated sugar to avoid graininess.
- Always freeze the pint completely solid on a level surface before spinning.
- Add liquid only in small amounts during Re-Spin to avoid melting the base.
- This base works for almost any flavor; just remove 2–3 tablespoons of base before adding mix-ins.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this vanilla base as-is, or use it as a foundation for mix-ins like crushed cookies, fruit swirls, chocolate chips, or caramel. It pairs well with brownies, fruit crisps, or warm desserts where a rich vanilla ice cream really shines.
Storage
Store the ice cream in the Ninja Creami pint with the lid tightly sealed for up to 2 weeks.
If the ice cream freezes very firm, let it sit at room temperature for 5 minutes or re-spin using the Re-Spin or Lite Ice Cream cycle with a teaspoon of milk.
Best Ninja Creami Vanilla Base with Cream Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon cream cheese
- ¾ cup whole milk
- ¾ cup heavy whipping cream
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 salt pinch
Instructions
- Soften the cream cheese in a microwave-safe bowl for 5 to 10 seconds until pliable.
- Whisk the cream cheese with whole milk, heavy cream, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until completely smooth.
- Pour the mixture into a Ninja Creami pint container and freeze on a level surface for 6 to 8 hours or overnight until fully solid.
- Run the Ice Cream cycle in the Ninja Creami.
- Add 1 teaspoon milk or cream and run the Re-Spin cycle until smooth.
- Serve immediately or freeze briefly for a firmer texture.
Notes
Chef Jenn’s Tips
- Use powdered sweetener instead of granulated sugar to avoid graininess.
- Always freeze the pint completely solid on a level surface before spinning.
- Add liquid only in small amounts during Re-Spin to avoid melting the base.
- This base works for almost any flavor; just remove 2–3 tablespoons of base before adding mix-ins.
Nutrition
A Note on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed.