The Tasty Travelers

menu icon
search icon
NINJA CREAMI RECIPE BOOKS! 📖 →

Ninja Creami Sparks Fly Ice Cream

5 from 1 vote
Lauren Picture for Posts
Updated: by · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment
Print Recipe
Google See more recipes from The Tasty Travelers on Google!
Add as a Preferred Source

Sharing is caring...share this recipe and save it for later!

Have you ever had pop rocks in ice cream? Now’s your chance! I’ll show you how to make the perfect Ninja Creami recipe for the Super Bowl (this year it’s all about Taylor Swift right?) and for Valentine’s Day.

I know, the Super Bowl is all about football. But, if you only watch football for the commercials and snacks, get your Ninja Creami ice cream maker out and make Sparks Fly ice cream as a tribute to Taylor and Kelce. Save this recipe for after the Super Bowl because it’s PERFECT for Valentine’s Day!

Ninja Creami

This recipe was made using the Ninja™ Creami

Ok, so hear me out. Pop Rocks and ice cream shockingly go together really well! I wasn’t sure this was going to work. Pop rocks start popping when they are introduced to moisture. So, adding the Pop Rocks to the base recipe before freezing isn’t going to work. But, I will say that it works wonderfully when you add the Pop Rocks as mix-ins and when you sprinkle them on top! You can hear them popping in the ice cream and when you eat them. It’s pretty cool!

Sparks Fly Ice Cream- in white bowl

My recipe for Ninja Creami Sparks Fly ice cream is made of a vanilla and maraschino cherry flavored ice cream with extra cherries and Pop Rocks added as mix-ins. The texture is smooth and the flavor is sweet and tastes just like a maraschino cherry! The mix-ins add some texture and some fun popping sounds.

Keep in mind this is a maraschino cherry flavored ice cream. Maraschino cherries taste much different from fresh or frozen cherries. Maraschino cherries are much sweeter and have more of an imitation cherry flavor than you will find with fresh cherries. Due to the sweetness of the cherries, I did not add a lot of additional sweetener to the recipe.

Sparks Fly Ice Cream- in white bowl from the top

I went back and forth on whether I should add red food coloring to make the ice cream a more intense pink or red color. I’m so glad I didn’t! The cherries and cherry juice added just enough color to the ice cream that it didn’t even need food coloring! The pink ice cream with the red bits and pieces of cherries throughout make it perfect for Valentine’s Day, Sweetest Day, or any pink themed event that you want to serve homemade ice cream at.

Sparks Fly Ice Cream- in white bowl close up

Tips for making Ninja Creami Sparks Fly Ice Cream:

What does Sparks Fly ice cream taste like?

Sparks Fly ice cream tastes like a jar of maraschino cherries mixed with a sweet vanilla ice cream base. The Pop Rocks don’t add much flavor to the ice cream themselves. But, they are fun, you can hearing them popping for quite sometime after adding them as mix-ins and they are great as toppings on the ice cream.

What are maraschino cherries?

Maraschino cherries are real cherries. They just look and taste a lot different than fresh or frozen cherries. Maraschino cherries are light-colored cherries that have had most of the color removed from them. Once the cherries are very light in color they are soaked in red red coloring and a sweet sugar syrup. Maraschino cherries are very sweet compared to fresh or frozen cherries.

Do you have to re-spin Ninja Creami leftovers?

Ninja Creami leftover treats usually will be rock hard so you either need to process it again, leave it out on the counter or put it in the microwave until it’s soft enough to scoop, or add something like food grade vegetable glycerin to the ice cream before freezing. See the recipe card for instructions on how much glycerin to use.

Can the dairy and sugar be substituted in this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute the dairy and sugar to fit your dietary needs. You can use any sugar substitute that you would like, just make sure that it is a 1:1 ratio with the sugar. The milk and half and half can also be substituted. However, some substitutes like oat milk, almond milk, coconut milk, and cashew milk have a lower fat content and will likely produce ice crystals and a less creamy result.

Do you need to re-spin this recipe?

I did not need to use the re-spin cycle for this recipe. The texture after the first spin was not smooth, but it was not sandy. Instead, it was like little balls of ice cream. I simply added the cut up cherries and pop rocks and used the mix-in button. I did not add any additional liquid with the mix-ins. If you add unnecessary liquid with the mix-ins or during a respin, the consistency will become almost fluffy or like soft-serve.

Looking for more Ninja Creami Recipes?

Sparks Fly Ice Cream Ingredients

Ingredient substitutions for making Ninja Creami Sparks Fly Ice Cream:

The full ingredient list is found at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.

Milk– I used whole milk in this recipe. You can use a dairy-free substitute like unsweetened almond milk, unsweetened oat milk, or lower fat milk if you prefer but the lower the fat content, the less creamy the result will be.

Half and Half– If you don’t have half and half, you can use a mixture of ¼ heavy cream and ¾ whole milk.

Sugar– White sugar was used. You can use a sugar substitute that is a 1:1 ratio.

Vanilla Bean Paste- I prefer to use vanilla bean paste because it adds a deeper vanilla flavor and I find that it tastes less like alcohol. You can substitute the vanilla bean paste with vanilla extract.

 Guar Gum– If you don’t have guar gum, you can use about a tablespoon of cream cheese, 2 tablespoons of vanilla instant pudding mix (reduce or omit the vanilla bean paste in the original recipe), or xanthan gum.

Maraschino Cherries and Juice– This recipe uses the jarred maraschino cherries. You could probably use canned or frozen cherries instead. However, the color and flavor will be different. Maraschino cherries have a distinct flavor and color that work well with this recipe. Changing the cherries will change the entire flavor of the ice cream.

Cherry Flavor Oil (Lorann)– You can use cherry extract instead of cherry oil. Be very careful not to add to much flavoring as a little goes a VERY long way.

Cherry Pop Rocks (1 Packet (use half of the package as a mix-in and the other half of the package as a topping))- If you can’t find cherry flavored pop rocks, you can use strawberry. The pink and red colors go well with the theme of this ice cream. You technically don’t have to use any pop rocks, but they make the ice cream so much fun!

Directions for making Ninja Creami Sparks Fly Ice Cream:

Make the Ice Cream Mixture

  • Pour the milk, half and half, sugar, cherries, cherry juice, vanilla bean paste, guar gum, and cherry flavored oil 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.
Sparks fly Make the Ice Cream Mixture

Process the Ice Cream

  1. After 24 hours, remove the pint container from the freezer.
  2. Place the pint container into the outer bowl of the Ninja Creami and then process on "ICE CREAM.”
  3. If the ice cream is dry or crumbly looking, pour in a tablespoon or two of milk and then re-spin. If the ice cream looks more like dippin dots, (little balls of ice cream), use the re-spin function without adding liquid.
  4. Dig a hole in the center of the ice cream and pour in the cherries that have been cut in half and the pop rocks. Process on mix-ins.
  5. Your ice cream is ready to eat! Top with more pop rocks and enjoy!
Sparks Fly Process the Ice Cream

Pin Ninja Creami Sparks Fly Ice Cream for later!

Sparks Fly Ice Cream- pinterest

Recipe

Sparks Fly Ice Cream Featured Image

Ninja Creami Sparks Fly Ice Cream

5 from 1 vote
Rate this Recipe
Servings: 1 Pint
Calories: 695kcal
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Freeze Time: 1 day
Total Time: 1 day 5 minutes
Pin Recipe Print Recipe
Join our Facebook GroupCheck out The Ninja Creami Community!
Ninja Creami Books
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE BOOKS!

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.

(Click here) This is the food grade vegetable glycerin that I experimented with.

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

Mix-Ins

  • 4 (4) Maraschino Cherries (Cut in half)
  • .33 Ounce (9 ⅓ g) Cherry Pop Rocks (1 Packet (use half of the package as a mix-in and the other half of the package as a topping))

Instructions

Make the Ice Cream Mixture

  • Pour the milk, half and half, sugar, cherries, cherry juice, vanilla bean paste, guar gum, and cherry flavored oil 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, pour in a tablespoon or two of milk and then re-spin. If the ice cream looks more like dippin dots, (little balls of ice cream), re-spin without adding liquid.
  • Dig a hole in the center of the ice cream and pour in the cherries that have been cut in half and the pop rocks. Process on mix-ins.
  • Your ice cream is ready to eat! Top with more pop rocks and enjoy!

Notes

What does Sparks Fly ice cream taste like?
Sparks Fly ice cream tastes like a jar of maraschino cherries mixed with a sweet vanilla ice cream base. The Pop Rocks don’t add much flavor to the ice cream themselves. But, they are fun, you can hearing them popping for quite sometime after adding them as mix-ins and they are great as toppings on the ice cream.
Do you need to re-spin this recipe?
I did not need to use the re-spin cycle for this recipe. The texture after the first spin was not smooth, but it was not sandy. Instead, it was like little balls of ice cream. I simply added the cut up cherries and pop rocks and used the mix-in button. I did not add any additional liquid with the mix-ins. If you add unnecessary liquid with the mix-ins or during a respin, the consistency will become almost fluffy or like soft-serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 695kcal | Carbohydrates: 111g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 76mg | Sodium: 164mg | Potassium: 475mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 107g | Vitamin A: 871IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 416mg | Iron: 0.5mg

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.

Have you tried this recipe? Let us know how it turned out in a comment below!

Leave a comment and rate this recipe!

Keep scrolling to see my newest recipes!

  • Easy Ninja Creami Apple Recipes for Ice Cream, Sorbet, and More

    If you love apple desserts, there is a lot more you can make in the Ninja Creami than basic apple ice cream. I have an apple cobbler ice cream with plenty of texture, a lighter caramel apple sorbet, and two protein ice creams that taste completely different from each other. Jump to: Why applesauce works in Ninja Creami recipes Canned filling or fresh apples? How to add fresh apple mix-ins Top Tips Ninja Creami Apple Cobbler Ice Cream Ninja Creami Caramel Apple Sorbet-Low Calorie Ninja Creami Cinnamon Green Apple Protein Ice Cream Ninja Creami Taffy Apple Protein Ice Cream Comments […]

  • Ninja Creami Low Calorie Mango Cheesecake Ice Cream

    This Ninja Creami low calorie mango cheesecake ice cream is one of those recipes that sounds simple but tastes amazing. It’s made with just 4 ingredients, has a smooth and creamy texture, and tastes just like mango cheesecake in ice cream form. You would never know this one is low calorie. This recipe comes in at 274 calories, 25 grams of protein, 25 grams of sugar, 4 grams of fat, and 32 carbs for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Low Calorie Mango Cheesecake Ice Cream Looking for more Ninja Creami Low Calorie Recipes? Ingredient tips […]

  • Fall Ninja Creami Recipes with Pumpkin, Apple, Maple, and More

    Fall flavors work really well in the Ninja Creami! Pumpkin, apple, cinnamon, caramel, maple, cranberry, and pecans all show up here in different ways, with everything from rich ice cream and gelato to protein ice creams, lower-calorie options, and fruit sorbets. There are plenty of familiar fall flavors, along with a few combinations that are a little more unexpected. Jump to: What makes these fall Ninja Creami recipes different? How to process a Ninja Creami base Fall mix-in ideas for these flavors Top Tips Ninja Creami Pumpkin Pie Gelato Ninja Creami Apple Cobbler Ice Cream Ninja Creami Caramel Apple Sorbet-Low […]

  • Ninja Creami Low Calorie Cherry Almond Ice Cream

    Cherry and almond go really well together. You see the combination a lot in things like biscotti, cherry almond bark, and tarts because the nutty flavor of almond pairs so nicely with the sweet-tart cherry. This Ninja Creami ice cream brings that same flavor combo together in a low calorie frozen treat. This recipe comes in at 271 calories, 8 grams of protein, 12 grams of sugar, 14 grams of fat, 70 carbs, and 22 net carbs (total carbs minus allulose carbs) for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Low Calorie Cherry Almond Ice Cream Looking […]

  • Ninja Creami Peanut Butter Ice Cream Recipes

    Peanut butter is one of the flavors I return to most for the Ninja Creami, and this list rounds up every version I have made so far. A few keep it simple with banana or protein powder added in, others layer on chocolate, and one swaps in a dairy free base entirely. Jump to: Why Peanut Butter Works So Well in the Ninja Creami How I Keep the Peanut Butter Flavor Consistent Throughout Mix-In Ideas Beyond What’s Already in This List Top Tips Ninja Creami Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream Ninja Creami Vegan Peanut Butter Gelato Ninja Creami Chocolate […]

  • Ninja Creami Low Calorie Marshmallow Ice Cream

    This Ninja Creami low calorie marshmallow ice cream tastes just like a big fluffy marshmallow in ice cream form. It’s rich, creamy, and has little pieces of marshmallow fluff throughout every bite. And the best part… it’s low calorie and low sugar so you can pretty much eat as much as you want! This recipe comes in at 270 calories, 9 grams of protein, 13 grams of sugar, 17 grams of fat, 64 carbs, and 16 net carbs (total carbs minus allulose carbs) for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Low Calorie Marshmallow Ice Cream Looking […]

  • Ninja Creami Coconut Recipes

    If you love coconut, there are a lot of different ways to use it in the Ninja Creami! Some of these recipes use coconut milk or coconut cream to make the base creamy, while others use coconut extract or shredded coconut to add more coconut flavor. There are everything from Almond Joy ice cream and coconut cream pie frozen yogurt to several versions of piña colada, Dole Whip, protein ice creams, and a few recipes where coconut is paired with fruit, chocolate, or peanut butter. Jump to: Top Tips Ninja Creami Almond Joy Ice Cream Ninja Creami Almond Joy Protein […]

  • Ninja Creami Low Calorie Frosted Lemonade (Chick-fil-A Copycat)

      This Ninja Creami low-calorie frosted lemonade is a copycat version of the famous Chick-fil-A frosted lemonade, but made at home with a fraction of the calories. It’s sweet, tart, and has that perfect frosty, drinkable texture that you would expect. You would never know it’s low-calorie. This recipe comes in at 263 calories, 12 grams of protein, 21 grams of sugar, 7 grams of fat, 81 carbs, and 33 net carbs (total carbs minus allulose carbs) for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Low Calorie Frosted Lemonade Looking for more Ninja Creami Low Calorie Recipes? […]

  • Ninja Creami Banana Recipes

    Ninja Creami Low Calorie Tropical Triple Layered Sorbet This one is a little different because the banana, mango, and dragon fruit stay in separate layers instead of being blended together before freezing. It’s only three ingredients, and when you scoop it you get all three tropical fruit flavors together. GO TO RECIPE Photo credit: The Tasty Travelers Ninja Creami Dole Whip This Dole Whip combines pineapple, banana, coconut milk, lime juice, and a little powdered sugar. The banana helps make it thick and creamy, and you can definitely taste some banana along with the pineapple and coconut flavors. GO TO […]

  • Ninja Creami Low Calorie Tropical Triple Layered Sorbet

    This Ninja Creami low-calorie tropical triple-layered sorbet is one of the most fun recipes I’ve made in the Ninja Creami. It has THREE different tropical fruit layers (banana, mango, and dragon fruit) that come together to look just like a sunrise or sunset. It’s beautiful, easy, and only 3 ingredients. This recipe comes in at 261 calories, 3 grams of protein, 47 grams of sugar, 1 gram of fat, and 64 carbs for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Low Calorie Tropical Triple Layered Sorbet Looking for more Ninja Creami Low Calorie Recipes? Ingredient tips and […]

  • Ninja Creami Blueberry Recipes

    Blueberries work really well in the Ninja Creami because there are so many different ways to use them. Some of these recipes use fresh blueberries, some cook them down first for a stronger blueberry flavor, and others use them as a mix-in. I’ve got everything from regular blueberry ice cream and frozen yogurt to protein ice cream, sorbet, and a few more unique flavor combinations. Jump to: Top Tips Ninja Creami Blueberries and Sweet Cream Ice Cream Ninja Creami Blueberry and Vanilla Bean Frozen Yogurt Ninja Creami Blueberry Coconut Frozen Yogurt Ninja Creami Blueberry Ice Cream Ninja Creami Blueberry Pie […]

  • How to Clean the Ninja Creami Spindle

    Cleaning the spindle on your Ninja Creami is simpler than most people expect. Most of it takes care of itself. You only need to clean the inch that sticks out at the bottom. Here’s what you actually need to clean and how to do it. Does the Ninja Creami spindle need to be cleaned? Only the very tip does. Most of the spindle is self-cleaning, and you do not need to touch it. The only part that needs to be cleaned after each use is the small metal tip at the bottom, the inch that sticks out and makes contact […]

  • Ninja Creami Low Calorie Chocolate Frozen Yogurt

    This Ninja Creami low-calorie chocolate frozen yogurt is rich, creamy, and tastes like a real chocolate dessert. With just 4 simple ingredients, it comes together so easily and satisfies any chocolate craving without making you feel like you’re missing out. This recipe comes in at 257 calories, 30 grams of protein, 6 grams of sugar, 5 grams of fat, 88 carbs, and 24 net carbs (total carbs minus allulose carbs) for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Low Calorie Chocolate Frozen Yogurt Looking for more Ninja Creami Low Calorie Recipes? Ingredient tips and substitutions Directions for […]

  • Strawberry Ninja Creami Recipes

    There are so many different ways to use strawberries in the Ninja Creami! This roundup has everything from classic Strawberry Ice Cream and Strawberry Frozen Yogurt to protein ice creams, cheesecake flavors, and combinations like strawberry banana, strawberry coconut, and even strawberry basil with goat cheese. If you like strawberry, there are plenty of options to choose from! Jump to: Top Tips Ninja Creami Chocolate Covered Strawberry Protein Ice Cream Ninja Creami Low Calorie Strawberry Whip Ninja Creami Strawberry Basil Goat Cheese Protein Ice Cream Ninja Creami Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream Ninja Creami Strawberry Coco-Nut Protein Ice Cream Ninja Creami […]

  • How to Add Big Flavor Without Extra Sugar to Ninja Creami Ice Cream

    If you want big flavor in your Ninja Creami ice cream without adding a lot of sugar or calories, skinny syrups are one of the easiest ways to do it. They mix right into your base before freezing and give you tons of flavor options without adding sugar. What are skinny syrups? Skinny syrups are flavored syrups that have zero calories and zero sugar. They get their sweetness from sugar substitutes instead of regular sugar, which means you get the flavor and sweetness without the calories or the sugar content. They were originally designed to flavor coffee and drinks, but […]

  • Ninja Creami Watermelon Basil Frosé

    Frosé season is here, and this Ninja Creami watermelon basil frosé is the only recipe you need. Just 3 ingredients (fresh watermelon, rosé, and basil) come together to make the perfect wine slushy. It’s refreshing, easy, and tastes like summer in a glass. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Watermelon Basil Frosé Looking for more Ninja Creami 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 Frosé has been so trendy the past few years, and for good reason. It’s […]

  • Chocolate Ninja Creami Recipes For Ice Cream, Protein, and More

    Chocolate is one of my favorite flavors to work with in the Ninja Creami, since it holds up well no matter what direction you take it, whether that’s a rich protein base, a low-calorie sorbet, or something built around pudding instead of custard. It never gets old finding a new way to make it work Jump to: Top Tips Ninja Creami Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream Ninja Creami Chocolate Lovers Ice Cream Ninja Creami Chocolate Sorbet-Low Calorie Ninja Creami Jamoca Almond Fudge Protein Ice Cream Ninja Creami Chocolate Protein Ice Cream Ninja Creami Frozen Hot Chocolate Ice Cream Ninja […]

  • Use Magic Shell Instead of Chocolate Chips as a Ninja Creami Mix-In

    If you’ve been adding chocolate chips to your Ninja Creami ice cream as a mix-in and ending up with little frozen rocks in your ice cream, there’s a better way. Magic Shell is the easiest way to get little chocolate bits throughout your ice cream…without hurting your teeth. Here’s why it works so much better and how to use it. Why are chocolate chips a problem in Ninja Creami ice cream? Chocolate chips freeze hard. Really hard. When you add them to the ice cream, they turn into hard little solid chunks that are really hard to chew. In frozen […]

Lauren Cardona-Tasty Traveler #1

Hi, I'm Lauren but you can call me Tasty Traveler #1!  
I have always had a passion for food, cocktails, and travel.  It has become more pronounced over the last several years since I have had the opportunity to do so many of the things that I love. 
Read more…

Smiling travel blogger with beard in turquoise shirt, about to explore new destinations.

Luis Cardona-Tasty Traveler #2

Hi, I'm Lauren but you can call me Tasty Traveler #1!  
Hi, I'm Luis! (I like to think of myself as Tasty Traveler #1 but Lauren says I'm Tasty Traveler #2!)
I too have a love for food, travel, and all things in between! Over the past several years I have found…
Read more…

More Ninja Creami Recipes

Comments

No Comments

5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating