If you love the combination of cherries and chocolate, you have to make this Ninja Creami black cherry chocolate chunk ice cream. It has real fresh cherry flavor, chunks of dark chocolate in every bite, and the most amazing creamy texture.
Jump to:
Cherries and chocolate are one of those classic flavor combinations that just works. The sweet, slightly tart flavor of fresh black cherries paired with rich dark chocolate is so good, and this Ninja Creami ice cream gets you all of that flavor in a creamy frozen treat. It’s perfect for a hot summer day when fresh cherries are in season and you want something cool, sweet, and full of flavor.
Using fresh black cherries is what makes this homemade cherry ice cream taste amazing. They get blended right into the base for that real cherry flavor, and then more cherries get added as a mix-in for those chunks of fruit in every bite. Make sure to wash and pit them really well before using because nobody wants to bite into a pit while eating ice cream.
The dark chocolate candy bar gives this ice cream that rich chocolate flavor. I usually chop the bar into chunks so you get real pieces of chocolate throughout the ice cream instead of just a few huge chunks here and there. Use any dark chocolate bar that you like the taste of since the flavor of the bar will come through in the ice cream. You can even use dark chocolate chips if you want. But, you’ll want to chop those into smaller pieces because the Ninja Creami doesn’t do a very good job of breaking down chocolate chips.
The cream cheese in the base is one of my favorite tricks for getting a really creamy texture in Ninja Creami ice cream. Just one tablespoon of room temperature cream cheese acts as a stabilizer and gives you that thick, scoopable consistency without making the ice cream taste like cheesecake. Make sure it’s at room temperature before adding to the blender so it blends in smoothly without leaving lumps.
A combination of whole milk and half and half gives this ice cream a rich and creamy texture without using heavy cream. The higher fat content in the dairy is what makes the ice cream taste rich and smooth instead of icy. If you want it even creamier, you can swap the whole milk for more half and half or even some heavy cream, just know it’ll be richer and have more fat. And, the higher the fat content, the more likely it is that the texture will start to get a little greasy and butter-like.
Tips for making Ninja Creami Black Cherry Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream
There are quite a few options! You can use sugar-free instant pudding mix (2 tablespoons per pint), guar gum (¼ teaspoon per pint), tara gum (⅛ to ¼ teaspoon per pint), acacia gum (¼ teaspoon per pint), mayonnaise (1 tablespoon per pint), coconut cream (1 to 2 teaspoons per pint), or Dream Whip (1 to 2 teaspoons per pint). You can also skip the stabilizers altogether, but the texture won’t be quite as creamy.
Yes! Feel free to substitute the dairy for your favorite non-dairy milk. Just know that lower fat non-dairy milks won’t give you quite as creamy of a texture as using dairy.
If your ice cream isn’t quite as creami as you would like, the re-spin function on the Ninja Creami machine is your best friend. Pour one tablespoon of milk or cream into the pint, place the pint into the outer bowl, snap it into place, and choose the RE-SPIN function. Once the cycle completes, remove the pint and enjoy.
Fresh cherries give you the best flavor in this recipe, but frozen (thawed) cherries work too. I don’t recommend using canned cherries since they tend to be packed in syrup that will throw off the flavor and sweetness of the ice cream.
The chocolate bar tastes the same as chocolate chips and has the same texture, but a chopped chocolate bar breaks up really well in the Ninja Creami and doesn’t seem to get quite as hard when frozen. Chocolate chips can be tough to bite into after freezing, so the chopped bar is just easier to eat.
Ingredient tips and substitutions
The full ingredient list is at the bottom of this post in the recipe card.
- Whole Milk: You can use any dairy or non-dairy milk in place of whole milk, just know that the higher the fat content of the milk, the creamier the texture of the ice cream will be.
- Half and Half: Heavy cream can be used in place of half and half for an even richer, creamier texture, or you can use more whole milk if you want a lighter ice cream. Just keep in mind that if you use a lot of heavy cream, it tends to be too high of fat content and can turn to butter or make the ice cream feel greasy.
- Cream Cheese: Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature so it blends in smoothly, and if you don’t have cream cheese, you can use 2 tablespoons of sugar-free instant pudding mix, ¼ teaspoon of guar gum, or 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise in its place.
- White Sugar: You can use your favorite granulated sweetener in place of regular sugar (allulose works great).
- Vanilla Bean Paste: If you don’t have vanilla bean paste, vanilla extract works as a substitute at a 1:1 ratio.
- Black Cherries: Fresh cherries give you the best flavor, but frozen (thawed) cherries work too (just don’t use canned cherries since they are usually packed in syrup that will throw off the flavor).
- Dark Chocolate Candy Bar: Use any dark chocolate bar that you like the taste of, and you can swap it for milk chocolate, semi-sweet, or even white chocolate if you prefer.
- Whole Milk (Optional): This only gets used if the ice cream looks like sand after the first spin, and any dairy or non-dairy milk works in its place like 2% milk, half and half, heavy cream, coconut milk, oat milk, or Fairlife milk.
Directions for Making the Ice Cream Mixture
- Pour the milk, half and half, cream cheese, sugar, vanilla bean paste, cherries and chocolate into a small blender and blend until all ingredients are fully combined. Pour the mixture into a Ninja Creami pint container.
- Freeze on a level surface for 24 hours. Your freezer should be between 9 and -7 degrees Fahrenheit. To avoid getting a bump on the top of the frozen mixture, freeze with the lid off of the container.
Directions for Processing the Ice Cream Mixture
- After 24 hours, remove the pint container from the freezer.
- Place the pint container into the outer bowl of the Ninja Creami and then process on “ICE CREAM.”
- If the ice cream is dry or crumbly looking (like sand), pour in a tablespoon or two of milk and then re-spin. If the ice cream looks like little balls of ice cream, respin without adding liquid. You may have to repeat this process a couple of times.
- Dig a well down the center of the ice cream and pour in the remaining cherries and chocolate. Process on mix-ins.
- Remove the pint from the machine and enjoy!
Save for Later on Pinterest!
Recipe
Ninja Creami Black Cherry Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream
Rate this Recipe
Equipment
Add Food Grade Vegetable Glycerin To Make Leftover Ice Cream Scoopable Right Out of the Freezer
Per 16 ounce pint: *Add 1 Teaspoon to full fat/full sugar bases *Add 1.5 teaspoon to high protein bases *Add 2 teaspoons to low sugar/low fat lite bases. Freeze and process per the recipe. Take the leftovers out of the freezer and scoop without having to reprocess. ***This is a guideline and adjustments may be needed based on your recipe.
Original, Breeze, Swirl, and Deluxe Ingredient Measurements
Use the multiplier below to adjust quantities based on the machine that you own. ***If you have the Original, Breeze, or Swirl machine, which use 16 ounce containers, choose the 1X option. ***If you have the Deluxe or XL machine, which use 24 ounce containers, choose the 1.5X option.
Ingredients
Ice Cream Base
- 8 Fluid Ounces (236 ⅗ ml) Whole Milk
- 4 Fluid Ounces (118 2/7 ml) Half and Half
- 1 Tablespoon (1 Tablespoon) Cream Cheese (Room temperature)
- ¼ Cup (50 g) White Sugar
- 1 Teaspoon (1 Teaspoon) Vanilla Bean Paste
- 3 (3) Black Cherries (Washed and pitted)
- .75 Ounces (21 ¼ g) Dark Chocolate Candy Bar (About 2 Squares-depending on the brand)
Mix-Ins
- 3 (3) Black Cherries (Washed and pitted)
- .75 Ounce (21 ¼ g) Dark Chocolate Candy Bar (About 2 Squares-depending on the brand)
Optional
- 1-2 Tablespoons (1 Tablespoons) Whole Milk
Instructions
Make the Ice Cream Mixture
- Pour the milk, half and half, cream cheese, sugar, vanilla bean paste, cherries and chocolate into a small blender and blend until all ingredients are fully combined. Pour the mixture into a Ninja Creami pint container.
- Freeze on a level surface for 24 hours. Your freezer should be between 9 and -7 degrees Fahrenheit. To avoid getting a bump on the top of the frozen mixture, freeze with the lid off of the container.
Process the Ice Cream
- After 24 hours, remove the pint container from the freezer.
- Place the pint container into the outer bowl of the Ninja Creami and then process on "ICE CREAM."
- If the ice cream is dry or crumbly looking (like sand), pour in a tablespoon or two of milk and then re-spin. If the ice cream looks like little balls of ice cream, respin without adding liquid. You may have to repeat this process a couple of times.
- Dig a well down the center of the ice cream and pour in the remaining cherries and chocolate. Process on mix-ins.
- Remove the pint from the machine and enjoy!
Notes
- Sugar-Free Instant Pudding Mix– 2 tablespoons per pint
- Guar Gum– ¼ teaspoon per pint 0r 0.1% by weight per pint
- Tara Gum– ⅛-¼ teaspoons per pint
- Acacia Gum– ¼ teaspoon per pint
- None- skip the stabilizers altogether
- Mayonnaise-1 tablespoon per pint
- Coconut cream– 1 to 2 teaspoons per pint
- Dream Whip– 1 to 2 teaspoons per pint
Nutrition
Nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. Optional ingredients are not included in the nutrition information.
Recipes that use allulose:
Allulose is a low calorie sweetener that your body doesn't fully digest, so it provides only 0.4 calories per gram instead of 4. That's why the calorie total doesn't match what you'd expect from the carb count. Calories from allulose are calculated based on metabolized carbohydrates. Allulose contributes fewer calories than standard carbohydrates.
Leave a comment and rate this recipe!
Keep scrolling to see my newest recipes!
-
Can You Use Generic or Knock-Off Ninja Creami Containers?
This question comes up constantly in the Ninja Creami community. Can you use generic or knock-off containers? Here’s the honest answer, along with what I found when I actually measured them myself and where to find the real ones. Can you use generic or knock-off Ninja Creami containers? Technically, yes. Generic containers CAN work. But they can also cause the containers to get scratched, or cause the machine to malfunction. And using non-Ninja approved accessories can void your warranty. So yes, you can use knock-offs. But at your own risk. Many people swear that their Temu or Amazon third-party containers […]
-
Ninja Creami Strawberry Basil Goat Cheese Protein Ice Cream
If you’re looking for something a little different from your typical strawberry ice cream, you have to try this Ninja Creami strawberry basil goat cheese protein ice cream. It’s light, refreshing, and the goat cheese gives it this amazing tangy flavor that pairs perfectly with the fresh basil and sweet strawberries. Trust me, the goat cheese is what makes this one really special. This recipe comes in at 284 calories, 36 grams of protein, 8 grams of sugar, 9 grams of fat, and 18 carbs for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Strawberry Basil Goat […]
-
Can You Use Ice in the Ninja Creami?
One of the most important rules for keeping your Ninja Creami safe is this: no ice. That means no ice cubes, no crushed ice, and no pure frozen water. Here’s what that actually means, what counts as ice, and why water as part of a recipe is a completely different thing. Can you use ice in the Ninja Creami? No. You cannot put ice cubes or crushed ice into the Ninja Creami container. Pure water frozen alone is essentially ice and has the same problem. The machine is not designed to process ice and doing so can damage the paddle […]
-
Ninja Creami Strawberry Coco-Nut Protein Ice Cream
If you love the combination of strawberry, coconut, and chocolate, you have to give this Ninja Creami strawberry coco-nut protein ice cream a try. It’s creamy, packed with real strawberry flavor, and the toasted coconut goes surprisingly well with chocolate chips and walnuts. This recipe comes in at 374 calories, 36 grams of protein, 4 grams of sugar, 19 grams of fat, and 19 carbs for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Strawberry Coco-Nut Protein Ice Cream Looking for more Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream Recipes? Ingredient tips and substitutions Directions for Making the Ice Cream […]
-
Is It Normal for the Ninja Creami Spindle to Stick Out?
If you look at your Ninja Creami and notice the spindle poking out of the bottom of the machine, you might wonder if something is wrong. Nothing is wrong. Here’s why it looks like that and what to expect. Is it normal for the Ninja Creami spindle to stick out? Yes. The spindle sticking out of the bottom of the machine when it is off is completely normal and exactly how it is supposed to look. It sticks out about an inch when the machine is not in use. It should not go all the way back up into the […]
-
Ninja Creami Super Strawberry Protein Ice Cream
If you love strawberry ice cream, this Ninja Creami super strawberry protein ice cream is going to blow your mind. It has fresh strawberry flavor from FOUR different ingredients, a creamy texture, and a really bright pink color. Trust me, you’re going to love this recipe. This recipe comes in at 215 calories, 35 grams of protein, 6 grams of sugar, 3 grams of fat, and 12 carbs for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Super Strawberry Protein Ice Cream Looking for more Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream Recipes? Ingredient tips and substitutions Directions for Making […]
-
How to Get Rid of Ice on the Outside of Ninja Creami Ice Cream
Sometimes a layer of ice forms around the inside walls of the Ninja Creami container during freezing, sitting between the outer edge of the frozen base and the container. If that ice gets mixed into the ice cream when you process it, it can affect the texture and make it icier than it should be. Here’s how to fix it so that the ice cream is creamy instead of icy. Why does ice form around the outside of the frozen base? When the base freezes, moisture from condensation or from the base itself can collect between the frozen mixture and […]
-
Ninja Creami Taffy Apple Protein Ice Cream
Taffy apples are one of my favorite fall treats, and this Ninja Creami taffy apple protein ice cream tastes just like one. You get that sweet caramel flavor, real green apple, and chopped peanuts in every bite. It’s creamy, sweet, a little tart, and so much fun to eat. This recipe comes in at 293 calories, 33 grams of protein, 17 grams of sugar, 8 grams of fat, and 26 carbs for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Taffy Apple Protein Ice Cream Looking for more Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream Recipes? Ingredient tips and substitutions […]
-
When to Use Re-Spin vs. Processing on Ice Cream Again in Ninja Creami
Re-Spin and the Ice Cream function on the Ninja Creami are not interchangeable. Using the wrong one at the wrong time will not give you the result you’re looking for and can even damage your machine. Here’s exactly when to use each one. What is the difference between Re-Spin and processing on Ice Cream? Ice Cream (and other processing functions) are designed to process a frozen solid base. Re-Spin is designed to further smooth a base that has just been processed, but came out with a texture that isn’t quite right. They are two different functions for two different situations. […]
-
Ninja Creami Caramel Cookie Supreme Protein Ice Cream
Caramel ice cream loaded with chunks of sugar cookie dough and pieces of Werther’s Original candies? Yes please!!! This Ninja Creami caramel cookie supreme protein ice cream is creamy, sweet, and tastes like a no-bake sugar cookie wrapped up in caramel ice cream with 30 grams of protein in the ENTIRE pint. This recipe comes in at 308 calories, 30 grams of protein, 7.5 grams of sugar, 7 grams of fat, and 31 carbs for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Caramel Cookie Supreme Protein Ice Cream Looking for more Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream Recipes? […]
-
Ninja Creami Caramel Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Protein Ice Cream
Caramel, cheesecake, and chocolate chips all in one ice cream? Yes please!!! This Ninja Creami caramel chocolate chip cheesecake protein ice cream is thick, creamy, and has so much real caramel flavor with bits of Werther’s Original candies and chopped chocolate chips throughout every single bite. This recipe comes in at 315 calories, 30 grams of protein, 1 gram of sugar, 9.5 grams of fat, and 37 carbs for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Caramel Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Protein Ice Cream Looking for more Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream Recipes? Ingredient tips and substitutions […]
-
Ninja Creami Cotton Candy Protein Ice Cream
If you love cotton candy, you have to try this Ninja Creami cotton candy protein ice cream. It tastes EXACTLY like the cotton candy you’d get at a carnival, has 31 grams of protein per pint, and it comes out pink, white, and blue right in the same container. You would never know it’s a protein ice cream! This recipe comes in at 357 calories, 31 grams of protein, 16 grams of sugar, 11.5 grams of fat, and 53 carbs for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Cotton Candy Protein Ice Cream Looking for more Ninja […]
-
Ninja Creami Strawberry Pretzel Pie Protein Ice Cream
If you have ever had strawberry pretzel pie at a summer BBQ or potluck, you know how good those flavors are together. This Ninja Creami strawberry pretzel pie protein ice cream takes that same combination of sweet strawberry, cheesecake, and crunchy pretzel and turns it into a thick and creamy frozen treat. I promise you would never know it has 33 grams of protein! This recipe comes in at 359 calories, 33 grams of protein, 10 grams of sugar, 4 grams of fat, and 50 carbs for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Strawberry Pretzel Pie […]
-
Ninja Creami Coffee Toffee Protein Ice Cream
If you love coffee ice cream, you have to try my recipe for Ninja Creami toffee coffee protein ice cream. It has the perfect amount of coffee flavor, a thick and creamy texture, and a really good crunch from the Heath chip mix-ins. I promise you would never know it’s a protein ice cream! This recipe comes in at 357 calories, 30 grams of protein, 19 grams of sugar, 13 grams of fat, for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Toffee Coffee Protein Ice Cream Looking for more Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream Recipes? Ingredient tips […]
-
Ninja Creami Baseball Nut Protein Ice Cream
If you loved Baskin Robbins Baseball Nut ice cream as a kid, you have to try this Ninja Creami baseball nut protein ice cream. It’s a creamy vanilla base loaded with chopped cashews and homemade raspberry sauce throughout, and I promise you would never know it’s a protein ice cream. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Baseball Nut Protein Ice Cream Looking for more Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream Recipes? Ingredient tips and substitutions Directions for Making the Ice Cream Mixture Directions for Processing the Ice Cream Mixture Save for Later on Pinterest! Recipe Comments Baseball Nut from Baskin […]
-
Ninja Creami Peach Cobbler Cottage Cheese Protein Ice Cream
I will be the first person to tell you that I HATE cottage cheese. I cannot stand the texture, the flavor, none of it. So when I tell you that this Ninja Creami Peach Cobbler Cottage Cheese Protein Ice Cream does not taste like cottage cheese, I mean it! I promise! This recipe comes in at 297.59 calories, 38.2 grams of protein, 21.11 grams of sugar, 4.23 grams of fat, and 27.68 grams of carbs for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all nutrition facts. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami […]
-
Ninja Creami Pineapple Dole Whip Protein Ice Cream
If you have ever had a Dole Whip at Disney World, you know how addicting they are. This Ninja Creami Pineapple Dole Whip Protein Ice Cream brings that same creamy pineapple flavor home, but with a TON of protein packed into the whole pint. Trust me, you would never know it’s a healthier version! This recipe comes in at 346.67 calories, 31.33 grams of protein, 24 grams of sugar, 3 grams of fat, and 47 grams of carbs for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all nutrition facts. Jump to: Tips for […]
-
Secret Ingredient to Make Coffee Ice Cream
If you want rich, bold coffee flavor in your Ninja Creami ice cream, instant espresso powder is the way to do it. No extra liquid, no fuss, and you can dial in exactly how much coffee flavor you want. Here’s everything you need to know. Why use instant espresso powder instead of brewed coffee? Brewed coffee is mostly water. Adding it to your Ninja Creami base means you’re adding liquid that can change the consistency of your recipe and water down the other flavors. Instant espresso powder is pure concentrated coffee flavor with no extra liquid. You get all the […]
-
Use Powdered Peanut Butter for More Flavor in Ninja Creami Recipes
If you want more peanut butter flavor in your Ninja Creami ice cream without adding on extra fat and calories, powdered peanut butter is a simple swap that delivers a richer, more concentrated peanut butter taste. Here’s why it works and how to use it. What is powdered peanut butter? Powdered peanut butter is made by pressing most of the fat out of roasted peanuts and grinding what’s left into a fine powder. What remains is concentrated peanut butter flavor with significantly less fat, fewer calories, and less sugar than regular peanut butter. It has the same nutty, roasted peanut […]
-
How Long Can You Freeze a Ninja Creami Base Before Processing?
Everyone knows that it’s recommended to freeze your Ninja Creami base for 24 hours before processing. But does it need to be frozen for exactly 24 hours? How long is too long, and does it actually matter if your Ninja Creami base has been sitting in the freezer for a week or more? Is there a maximum freeze time for Ninja Creami bases? Ninja does not publish an official maximum freeze time. The 24 hour minimum is well established, but there is no hard cutoff on the other end. Many people make their ice cream base with the intention of […]
-
How to Get Even More Vanilla Flavor in Your Ice Cream…
If you’ve been using vanilla extract in your Ninja Creami recipes and want to take the vanilla flavor up a notch, vanilla bean paste is the upgrade. Same effort, noticeably better results. What is vanilla bean paste? Vanilla bean paste is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a thick paste made from real vanilla beans. It contains the actual seeds scraped from inside vanilla bean pods, which is where the most intense vanilla flavor lives. When you use it in ice cream, you get those tiny black vanilla bean specks throughout the pint, along with a deeper, richer vanilla flavor […]
Comments
No Comments