My Ninja Creami Cherry Chocolate Chip Ice Cream recipe is ultra creamy and loaded with juicy cherries and chocolate chips in every scoop. It's one of my favorite ways to use up fresh cherries, and it makes the perfect homemade frozen dessert for summer!
If you love this flavor combo, check out my Ninja Creami Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream and Ninja Creami Cookies and Cream Ice Cream recipe next!
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This Ninja Creami cherry chip ice cream has officially become a family favorite. Even my husband, who swore chocolate ice cream was the only way to go, asks for this homemade cherry ice cream all the time now. It has all the flavor of black forest cake without any of the work.
I tested this recipe with both fresh cherries and frozen dark sweet cherries, and both work well. That means you can enjoy this dessert year-round without hunting for perfect cherries in the produce aisle.
If you love your Ninja Creami machine as much as I do, be sure to try my Ninja Creami Fairlife Chocolate Milk Ice Cream and Ninja Creami Dole Whip.
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The Secrets to the Best Ninja Creami Cherry Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
- 24-Hour Freeze - Don't be tempted to process the ice cream before 24 hours is up. A full freeze will give you silky-smooth ice cream.
- Re-Spin - The respin turns your mixture into a super creamy texture.
- Mix-Ins After Respin - Adding chocolate chips after the first spin keeps them crunchy instead of blended into oblivion.
Recipe Ingredients
- Cherries - Fresh or frozen dark sweet cherries work best. Remove the pit from fresh cherries before using.
- Milk - 2% or 3% Fairlife or whole milk works best for creaminess.
- Heavy Cream - For that rich ice cream texture, coconut cream can be used as a dairy-free alternative.
- Sugar - I used granulated sugar, but you can use powdered sugar or your favorite sweetener.
- Vanilla Extract - Rounds out the cherry flavor.
- Chocolate Chips - Use regular or mini chocolate chips, or a broken up chocolate bar, chocolate chunks, or white chocolate chips.
Exact measurements are in the printable recipe card below.
How to Make Ninja Creami Cherry Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Step 1: Prep Your Cherries
If using fresh cherries, wash, pit, and pat them completely dry. To pit cherries quickly and easily, cut the cherries in half with a small knife, twist to open, then cut the half with the pit into quarters and pull out the pit. If using frozen cherries, thaw them first and dry with a paper towel to prevent an icy texture.
Step 2: Blend the Ice Cream Base
In a blender, combine 1 cup pitted cherries, ¾ cup milk, ½ cup heavy cream, ⅓ cup sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Blend until smooth and creamy (about 30-45 seconds).
Step 3: Freeze the Mixture
Pour the mixture into your Ninja Creami pint container up to the MAX FILL line. Secure the lid and freeze on a flat surface for at least 24 hours. I usually label the container with the type of ice cream as I usually have more than one kind in the freezer at a time.
Step 4: First Spin
Insert the frozen pint into the outer bowl assembly and attach the outer bowl lid. Insert it into your Ninja Creami machine and use the Ice Cream function.
Step 5: Respin for Creaminess
After the first spin, the ice cream might look crumbly, but that's totally normal. Make a small well in the center of the ice cream with a spoon and pour in 1 tablespoon milk or cream. Press the Re-Spin button for a silky, creamy texture.
Step 6: Add Chocolate Chips & Serve
After the respin, make a small well and add 2-3 tablespoons of chocolate chips. Use the Mix-In button to fold them in. Scoop into bowls and serve immediately, topped with extra cherries or a drizzle of chocolate syrup or extra chocolate chips if you like. Enjoy!
Variations
Cherry Almond Ice Cream: Add ½ teaspoon almond extract along with the vanilla for a classic cherry-almond flavor.
Black Forest Ice Cream: After the respin, mix in 2 tablespoons of crushed chocolate cookies or brownie bits instead of chocolate chips.
High-Protein Cherry Ice Cream: Blend in 2 tablespoons of vanilla protein powder with the liquid ingredients before freezing.
Cherry Ice Cream: Omit the chocolate chips.
Ninja Creami Machine
The One I Use
Click below on the affiliate link to get the same Ninja Creami machine I use and love.
Storing and Serving Tips
How to Store: Keep any leftover ice cream in the original Ninja Creami pint with the lid tightly secured. Return it to the freezer immediately and store for up to 2 weeks.
How to Serve Later: When you're ready for another scoop, let the pint sit at room temperature for 5 minutes. Then process it using the Re-Spin function to restore that ultra-creamy texture.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! Frozen cherries work perfectly. Thaw them completely and pat them dry to reduce ice crystals before blending.
Yes. You can reduce the sugar slightly or replace it with ¼ cup honey, maple syrup, or your favorite sweetener.
Swap the milk and heavy cream for unsweetened almond milk and canned coconut milk. The result will still be creamy and full of flavor.
It's best to add chocolate chips after the first spin using the Mix-In function. This keeps them from sinking to the bottom of the pint or freezing too hard.
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Printable Recipe
Ninja Creami Cherry Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh cherries, pitted (or frozen, thawed and drained)
- ¾ cup 2% or 3% Fairlife milk (or whole milk or unsweetened almond milk)
- ½ cup heavy cream (or canned coconut cream)
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup chocolate chips (for mix-in)
Optional Add-ins or Toppings:
- ¼ cup fresh cherries (pitted and chopped)
- ¼ cup crushed chocolate cookies (or brownie bits)
- 1-2 tablespoons chocolate or cherry syrup
Instructions
- If using fresh cherries, pit and chop them. If using frozen cherries, thaw completely and drain well to reduce ice crystals.
- Add cherries (1 cup), milk (¾ cup), heavy cream (½ cup), sugar (⅓ cup), and vanilla extract (1 teaspoon) to a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy, about 30 to 45 seconds.
- Pour the cherry mixture into your Ninja Creami pint container. Do not go past the MAX FILL line. Secure the lid tightly on the pint.
- Place the pint container on a level surface in your freezer and freeze for 24 hours.
- Remove the pint from the freezer and take off the lid. Insert the pint into the outer bowl of your Ninja Creami, secure the lid assembly, and lock it into the machine. Select the ICE CREAM function and let it process.
- After the first spin, the ice cream may look crumbly or powdery-this is normal. Remove the lid assembly and use a spoon to make a small well in the center. Add 1 tablespoon of milk or cream into the well, secure the lid again, and process using the RE-SPIN function for a smoother texture.
- Make a well in the center again and add ¼ cup of chocolate chips. Press the MIX-IN button to fold them into the ice cream.
- Scoop your cherry chocolate chip ice cream into bowls and serve immediately. Top with extra chocolate chips or fresh cherries if desired. Enjoy!
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Notes
Nutrition
The provided nutrition information is automatically calculated. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
Seth Watts says
I followed these directions precisely and it turned out better than I could have imagined. The cherry and chocolate flavors came through strongly. I did the optional step to make it creamy. Great recipe.
Jeri Walker says
I'm so glad you loved it Seth! Thanks so much for taking the time to come back and leave a rating and review! 😊