This Ninja Creami frozen berries recipe turns a bag of berries into a creamy, colorful frozen dessert with a fresh fruit flavor. It’s simple to make, easy to customize, and perfect when you want something fruity, refreshing, and a little special.
Ingredients
- 2 cups frozen berries, such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or mixed berries
- 1/2 to 1 cup milk, dairy or dairy-free
- 2 to 3 tablespoons yogurt or coconut cream, optional for creaminess
- 1 to 2 tablespoons honey, maple syrup, or sugar, optional
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
- Pinch of salt
Optional mix-ins:
- Fresh berries
- Granola
- White chocolate chips
- Crushed cookies
- Coconut flakes
- Chopped nuts
- Lemon zest
- Fruit preserves
Instructions
- Prepare the berries.
Add the frozen berries to a blender or food processor. If the berries are in large clumps, break them up a little so they blend more evenly. You want them frozen, but easy to measure and mix. - Blend the base.
Add the milk, yogurt or coconut cream if using, sweetener if using, vanilla extract, and salt. Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Add the milk a little at a time so the mixture stays thick but pourable. - Taste and adjust.
Taste the mixture before freezing. Add more sweetener if the berries are very tart, or a little more milk if the base is too thick. The mixture should taste slightly sweeter than you want the final dessert to taste because freezing dulls sweetness. - Transfer to the pint.
Pour the blended mixture into the Ninja Creami pint container. Make sure it stays below the MAX FILL line. If you want to add mix-ins later, leave a little room near the top. - Freeze completely.
Place the lid on the pint and freeze it upright for at least 24 hours. For the best result, freeze it on a level surface so the mixture sets evenly. - Spin in the Ninja Creami.
Remove the pint from the freezer and place it into the outer bowl assembly. Attach the lid and process it using the Lite Ice Cream, Sorbet, or Ice Cream setting depending on the texture you want. - Check the texture.
After the first spin, the mixture may look crumbly or a little icy. This is normal with berry bases. Use a spoon to check the center and sides before deciding whether it needs more liquid. - Re-spin if needed.
If the texture is not creamy enough, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk and run the Re-spin cycle. Repeat once more if necessary until smooth and scoopable. - Add mix-ins.
If you want extra texture, make a small well in the center of the ice cream, add your mix-ins, and run the Mix-ins cycle to distribute them evenly. - Serve.
Serve immediately for a soft-serve texture, or freeze for 30 to 60 minutes if you want a firmer scoop.
Recipe Tips
- Strawberries and blueberries make a very balanced berry base.
- Raspberries give a brighter, tangier flavor.
- Coconut cream adds richness and helps reduce iciness.
- A little lemon zest makes the berry flavor pop.
- Granola and white chocolate chips work especially well as mix-ins.