There’s little that can compare to the delight of tucking into a freshly made ice cream treat on a hot day. However, the joy increases manifold when you’re the one crafting these frothy, icy delights at home. Now, imagine doing all of this with the click of a button. Yes, you heard it right. I had the chance to experiment with the Ninja ice cream maker recently, and I can confidently say that it has taken my love for homemade ice cream to an all-new level.
This fantastic appliance from Ninja doesn’t just stop at creating delectable ice cream, it also promises to churn out other treats like gelato, milkshakes, sorbet, and “lite” ice cream, all at the click of a button. You’re offered a pint-sized exquisite dessert in just two to three minutes! This might sound a bit too good to be true, but having tried all of these functions, I can proudly state that the Ninja ice cream maker is a dessert lover’s dream come true.
Interestingly, the Ninja ice cream maker differs in operation from conventional ice cream makers. Typical appliances churn a cooled liquid in a frozen bowl until a soft-serve consistency is achieved, followed by a freezing phase until it hardens. The Ninja ice cream machine complexifies the already frozen ingredients in just about two minutes, delivering a ready-to-eat delight.
The starter was the straightforward vanilla ice cream with chocolate chip mix. The ice cream assembly involved mixing cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, heavy cream, milk in under five minutes, and freezing it overnight. The Ninja machine did the rest of the task, creamifying it within five minutes. The results were a delicious batch of Philadelphia-style ice cream.
Moving on to testing all the other functions, I looked forward to experimenting with the gelato function. This process required more preparation, as it involved making an egg custard base and letting it cool before freezing it. But the efforts were well worth it, churning out a cheesecake gelato that was creamy and undeniably heavenly.
The “lite ice cream” function offers an excellent alternative for those wanting to limit their dairy intake. These recipes use ingredients like coconut and oat milk, resulting in treats that might not be as creamy as gelato but do a good job for those having dietary restrictions. If you’re a fan of refreshing citrusy flavors, you’ll love the lemon sorbet that tastes even better than what traditional ice cream makers can dish out.
If you are looking for lighter breakfast options, experiment with the smoothie bowl option. I loved the strawberry-banana smoothie bowl that was like a smoothie with ice cream consistency. The machine also has a milkshake function that whips up tempting shakes using already-made ice cream, ready to be served in two minutes.
The Ninja ice cream maker is not just a delight for frozen dessert lovers but also those who love experimenting with new recipes. The reduced prep and processing time, as compared to traditional ice cream, is an added benefit. The fact that the machine churns out a pint-sized batch ensures that you continually experiment with flavors without sticking to the same one due to larger yields. The convenience offered by the containers that come within the package, easily store leftovers, and can be cleaned in a dishwasher is another plus point.
However, if you are a diehard ice cream traditionalist and prefer using standard recipes to craft your frozen treats, you might want to retain your traditional ice cream maker alongside the Ninja.
I will be having my hands full experimenting with this wonder machine, thanks to the joy of quickly whipping up a variety of flavors. Now, if you’ll excuse me, it’s creamifying time again!
