Ninja Creami Cherry Ice Cream

Ingredients

• 1 cup cherries (Stems removed and pitted; fresh or frozen)
• 1 cup cottage cheese (Preferably a low-acid, low-tang brand; may be replaced with an equal amount of ricotta)
• 0.5 cup milk
• 0.333 cup sugar
• 0.125 tsp almond extract (Use 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract instead if preferred)
• 6 cherries (For the mix-in; stems removed and pitted. If frozen, thaw before adding)

Steps

1. 1

   Prepare the cherries by removing all stems and pitting them if needed. If using frozen cherries for the base, they may be used frozen; reserve the six mix-in cherries separately and thaw them first if they are frozen.

2. 2

   Add the cottage cheese, 1 cup of prepared cherries, milk, sugar, and almond extract to a blender. Blend until completely smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides if necessary.

3. 3

   Pour the blended mixture into a Ninja Creami container, keeping the surface level. Secure the lid and place the container on a level surface in the freezer. Freeze for at least 18 hours, until solid.

4. 4

   Remove the container from the freezer. If desired, run a little warm water around the outside edge of the container for about 30 seconds to help loosen the frozen mixture.

5. 5

   Place the container in the Ninja Creami machine and process it using the Light Ice Cream setting. If the mixture looks powdery or needs additional moisture, add a small splash of milk and process it again using the Respin function.

6. 6

   Create a hole in the center of the processed ice cream and add the six prepared mix-in cherries. Use the Mix-In feature to incorporate the cherries evenly without over-processing them.

7. 7

   Scoop the cherry ice cream into bowls or cones and serve immediately. If it becomes too soft after processing, return it to the freezer for about 15 minutes before serving.

Notes

Use a low-acid, low-tang cottage cheese for a milder flavor; a tangier brand may give the ice cream cheesecake-like notes. An equal amount of ricotta can be substituted. Leftovers should be smoothed flat in the container and returned to the freezer.

Nutrition per serving

• dessert
• ice cream
• frozen dessert
• Ninja Creami
• no-cook
• vegetarian
• fruit dessert
• high-protein