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!
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!
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.
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.
Tips for making Ninja Creami Sparks Fly Ice Cream:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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), use the re-spin function 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!
Pin Ninja Creami Sparks Fly Ice Cream for later!
Recipe
Ninja Creami Sparks Fly 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.
Original and Deluxe Ingredient Measurements
Use the multiplier below to adjust quantities based on the machine that you own. 1X=Original 16 ounce 1.5X=Deluxe 24 ounces
Ingredients
Ice Cream Base
- ⅔ Cup (157 ¾ ml) Whole Milk
- ⅔ Cup (161 ⅓ g) Half and Half
- ¼ Cup (50 g) Sugar
- 12 (12) Maraschino Cherries (Drained)
- 2 Tablespoons (2 Tablespoons) Maraschino Cherry Juice
- 1 Teaspoon (1 Teaspoon) Vanilla Bean Paste
- ¼ Teaspoon (¼ Teaspoon) Guar Gum
- 4 Drops (4 Drops) Cherry Flavor Oil (Lorann)
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
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!
Ninja Creami Peanut Butter Cup Protein Ice Cream
If you’re looking for a protein-packed ice cream that combines the flavors of peanut butter and chocolate with added protein while still being creamy and scoopable like traditional ice cream, then this recipe is perfect for you! I’ll show you how to use peanut butter powder and protein powder to create a high-protein peanut butter ice cream using your Ninja Creami machine. This recipe comes in at 394 calories, 39 grams of protein, 4 grams of sugar, 17 grams of fat, 57 carbs, 37 net carbs (total carbs-allulose) for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the […]
Ninja Creami Low Calorie Chocolate Ice Cream
If you’re looking for a rich, chocolatey, smooth, and creamy homemade ice cream recipe that’s also low in calories, then you have to make my recipe for low-calorie chocolate ice cream using the Ninja Creami ice cream maker. This recipe comes in at 235 calories, 10 grams of protein, 14 grams of sugar, 12 grams of fat, 83 carbs, 19 net carbs (total carbs-allulose) for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all nutrition facts. Making low-calorie and healthy ice cream recipes in the Ninja Creami can be a little tricky. It’s really […]
Ninja Creami Low Calorie Peach Frozen Yogurt
Did you know that you can make delicious, creamy, peach frozen yogurt in your Ninja Creami ice cream maker with only 4 simple ingredients…and with only 204 calories for the entire pint? Well, you can! And…it’s pretty amazing. Not only is the flavor great, but the texture is pretty fantastic, too! It’s so thick and creamy! This recipe comes in at 224 calories, 24 grams of protein, 14 grams of sugar, 0 grams of fat, 76 carbs, 28 net carbs (total carbs-allulose) for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all nutrition facts. This […]
Ninja Creami Lemon Pie Protein Frozen Yogurt
If you like lemon pie as much as I do, then you have to try my recipe for protein packed, lemon pie frozen yogurt made in the Ninja Creami machine. It has a super thick and creamy texture, just enough lemon flavor, and a bit of a tang from the yogurt. This recipe comes in at 288 calories, 40 grams of protein, 10 grams of sugar, 4 grams of fat, 45 carbs, 25 net carbs (total carbs-allulose) for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all nutrition facts. This recipe isn’t just about the […]
Ninja Creami Caramel Apple Sorbet-Low Calorie
If you like caramel apples, then this is the recipe for you! My recipe for making low-calorie caramel apple sorbet in the Ninja Creami ice cream maker uses store-bought applesauce, which means you can enjoy it any time of year! I’ll show you how to make my caramel apple sorbet recipe by using only 4 ingredients! That’s right, not only is it delicious, low calorie, and easy to make…but you only need 4 ingredients! This recipe comes in at 220 calories, 0.01 grams of protein, 44 grams of sugar, 0 grams of fat, 100 carbs, and 52 net carbs (total carbs-allulose) […]
Ninja Creami Mandarin Orange Sherbet-Low Calorie
Do you like orange sherbet? I’ll show you how to make a refreshing frozen treat using simple ingredients (no Jell-o or pudding powders in this recipe…there’s real mandarin oranges!) and the Ninja Creami ice cream machine. Not only is it low in calories, but it’s super easy to make since it uses canned mandarin oranges. The flavor is great and it has a super creamy texture! This recipe comes in at 189 calories, 10 grams of protein, 28 grams of sugar, 3 grams of fat, 32 carbs, 8 net carbs (total carbs-allulose) for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at […]
Ninja Creami Chocolate Covered Strawberry Protein Ice Cream
Do you like chocolate covered strawberries? I do! I love them! Well, have you ever thought about making chocolate covered strawberry protein packed ice cream using your Ninja Creami ice cream machine? I’ll show you how to get all of the flavors of chocolate covered strawberries in ice cream form without using pudding mix or premade protein shakes. This recipe comes in at 264 calories, 27 grams of protein, 3 grams of sugar, 12 grams of fat, 45 carbs, 21 net carbs (total carbs-allulose) for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all […]
Ninja Creami Honeydew Sorbet-Low Calorie
Ninja Creami honeydew sorbet is sweet, refreshing, and so easy to make. With just 4 simple ingredients, you can make a healthy sweet treat that’s not only delicious, but low in calories, sugar, and fat. I’ll show you how to make this delicious homemade sorbet using the Ninja Creami machine. This recipe comes in at 183 calories, 2 grams of protein, 37 grams of sugar, 1 gram of fat, 89 carbs, 41 net carbs (total carbs-allulose) for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all nutrition facts. The most important ingredient in this […]
Ninja Creami Cantaloupe Frozen Yogurt (Low-Calorie)
If you love the flavor of fresh cantaloupe, then you are going to love my recipe for Cantaloupe Frozen Yogurt, using the Ninja Creami machine. The sweetness of the ripe cantaloupe mixed with the tanginess of the yogurt, makes the perfect treat. I’ll show you how to take just a few simple ingredients and turn them into a low calorie cantaloupe frozen yogurt that’s the perfect snack or dessert! This recipe comes in at 182 calories, 11 grams of protein, 25 grams of sugar, 1 gram of fat, 78 carbs, 30 net carbs (total carbs-allulose) for the ENTIRE pint. See […]
Ninja Creami Pina Colada Protein Ice Cream
Pineapple and coconut go together soooo well! While I do love piña coladas, sometimes you just want the pineapple and coconut flavors and not the actual (delicious) drink. I’ll show you how to make the perfect piña colada ice cream recipe with added protein, using the Ninja Creami ice cream maker. It’s the perfect tropical treat! This recipe comes in at 256 calories, 25 grams of protein, 16 grams of sugar, 6 grams of fat, 46 carbs, 27 net carbs (total carbs-allulose) for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all nutrition facts. Traditionally, […]
Ninja Creami Watermelon Sorbet (Low Calorie)
Watermelon is one of my favorite fruits. It’s so sweet and delicious, I just can’t get enough. I love using fresh watermelon in Ninja Creami recipes! The texture is great and the sorbet is super light and refreshing! I’ll show you how to use simple ingredients to make the perfect frozen treat! This recipe comes in at 147 calories, 3 grams of protein, 28 grams of sugar, 1 gram of fat, 59 carbs, 35 net carbs (total carbs-allulose) for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all nutrition facts. You can make so many […]
Ninja Creami Blueberry Protein Ice Cream
If you love blueberries as much as I do, then you’re going to love my recipe for making a protein packed blueberry ice cream in the Ninja Creami ice cream maker. There’s lots of flavor, added protein (using unflavored protein powder),no pudding mix, and a super creamy texture! This recipe comes in at 246 calories, 26 grams of protein, 14 grams of sugar, 71 carbs, 23 grams of net carbs and 5 grams fat for the entire pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all nutrition facts. For this recipe, I chose to use unflavored whey […]
Ninja Creami Strawberry Lemonade Sherbet
Who doesn’t love strawberry lemonade? Well, you know what makes it even better? Making sherbet that tastes like strawberry lemonade with the Ninja Creami ice cream maker! This recipe comes in at 140 calories, 5 gram of protein, 11 grams of sugar, 80 carbs, 16 grams of net carbs and 4 grams fat. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all nutrition facts. You can turn just about anything into the perfect treat with a creamy texture using the Ninja Creami ice cream machine. This is one of those Ninja Creami recipes that makes you go…huh? How […]
Ninja Creami Blueberry Sorbet
Oh, how I love blueberries! I’ve made a ton of Ninja Creami recipes with blueberries, but this is my first blueberry sorbet recipe. I’ll show you how to turn just a few ingredients into a super flavorful, dairy-free, healthy treat using the Ninja Creami ice cream maker! This recipe comes in at 149 calories, 2 grams of protein, 23 grams of sugar, 81 carbs, 33 grams of net carbs and 1 gram of fat. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all nutrition facts. I’m a sucker for just about anything that has blueberries in it. I […]
Ninja Creami Strawberry Shortcake Protein Ice Cream
Have you ever had one of those strawberry shortcake ice cream bars from the freezer section at the grocery store? You know the ones…they have those little pink and white crunchy bits on the outside of the ice cream! Well, if you have ever had one and loved it, then you’re in luck! This recipe is my take on those ice cream bars made with added protein and made in the Ninja Creami ice cream maker! This recipe comes in at 371 calories, 29 grams of protein, 14 grams of sugar, 12 grams of fat, and 37 carbs, for the […]
The Ultimate Guide to the new Ninja Swirl by Creami!
There’s a new Ninja Creami that’s just been released! It’s the Ninja Swirl by Creami! Find out about all of the features, where to buy it, and how it compares to the Ninja Creami 7-1, Ninja Creami Deluxe, and the Ninja Creami Breeze. The Ninja Creami is the most popular frozen treat maker on the planet! It’s been around for a few years, but now…there’s a New Ninja Creami…and it makes soft serve in addition to scoopable ice cream. The Ninja Swirl by Creami is available for purchase at the following retailers: You’re probably wondering what’s different about the Ninja […]
Ninja Creami Blueberry Coconut Frozen Yogurt
I LOVE blueberry and coconut flavored things! They are each really good on their own, but together they are the perfect combination of flavors. My recipe for Ninja Creami blueberry coconut frozen yogurt is the perfect combination of flavors with just the right amount of blueberries and shredded coconut added in for texture. This is a super easy recipe to make, thanks to flavored yogurts! The number of yogurt flavors readily available at the grocery store has skyrocketed in the past few years. Blueberry and coconut flavored yogurts make this a super easy recipe to make. The Ninja Creami ice […]
Ninja Creami Cranberry Orange Sorbet-Low Calorie
Did you know that you can make sorbet out of cranberry sauce in the Ninja Creami ice cream machine? Well, you can and it’s super easy to do and tastes amazing. I used canned cranberry sauce, but you could very easily use homemade cranberry sauce leftover from the holidays. This recipe comes in at 297 calories, 1 gram of protein, 56 grams of sugar, 118 carbs, 70 grams of net carbs and 0.3 grams fat. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all nutrition facts. You can’t have Thanksgiving dinner without cranberry sauce! Cranberry sauce is a […]
Ninja Creami Maple Bacon Protein Ice Cream
Bacon makes everything better! That goes for Ninja Creami ice cream too! If you love bacon as much as I do, you have to try my recipe for making Maple Bacon ice cream in the Ninja Creami ice cream maker! It’s sweet, it’s savory, it has a creamy texture, and it even has extra protein added in. This recipe comes in at 641 calories, 35 grams of protein, 61 grams of sugar, 21 grams of fat, 94 carbs, 82 net carbs (total carbs-allulose) for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all nutrition facts. […]
Ninja Creami Butterfinger Ice Cream
If you like Butterfingers, you’re going to love my recipe for making Butterfinger ice cream in the Ninja Creami ice cream maker. It’s super creamy with the perfect amount of crunch. The rich vanilla base goes really well with the peanut butter and chocolate flavored flaky, crunch, candy pieces. Why does everyone love Butterfinger candy bars so much? Yes, Butterfingers taste great. They combine the flavors of peanut butter and chocolate. You can’t go wrong with that flavor combination! But, I think the texture sets them apart from just about every other candy bar on the market. The texture is […]
Ninja Creami White Chocolate Peppermint Low Calorie Ice Cream
White chocolate peppermint ice cream makes me think of the colder winter months….but it can be eaten all year round! To add to the peppermint flavor and provide a bunch of little crunchy bits, I used starlight mints. But, if you want to make it a little more festive, use candy canes during the winter holidays. This recipe comes in at 304 calories, 8 grams of protein, 29 grams of sugar, 94 carbs, 46 grams of net carbs and 6 grams fat. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all nutrition facts. Making low calorie Ninja Creami […]
Comments
No Comments