These Ninja Creami Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream pints are the BEST! Creamy and rich with real cream cheese, fresh strawberries, and buttery graham cracker swirls throughout - this Dairy Queen Blizzard copycat will have you skipping the drive-thru forever!
If you like this dessert recipe, check out my Ninja Creami Blueberry Ice Cream, Ninja Creami Cherry Chocolate Chip Ice Cream, and Ninja Creami Strawberry Ice Cream next!
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Ninja Creami Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
I wanted this recipe to taste like the strawberry cheesecake Blizzard from Dairy Queen. It only took me a few tries, but it was worth the effort because it is so dang good!
You only need a few basics-fresh strawberries, cream cheese, sugar, milk, and cream. No gums, stabilizers, or artificial flavors here.
All you have to do is blend the base, freeze overnight, and spin it in your Ninja Creami. Then add the graham cracker swirl for that classic cheesecake flavor - it's that simple. If you don't have a Ninja Creami ice cream maker, make my No-Churn Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream instead!
Ingredients for Ninja Creami Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
- Cream Cheese. Use ½ block (4 ounces) of full-fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature. It gives the ice cream its classic cheesecake flavor.
- Strawberries. Fresh, ripe strawberries work best. You'll need about 1 cup, hulled and halved. They blend easily and add a beautiful pink color.
- Milk. I used Fairlife 2% milk to add extra protein and give it a creamy base without being too heavy. Whole milk also works well.
- Heavy Cream. This is what gives the ice cream its silky, scoopable consistency. Don't skip it - it makes all the difference.
- Granulated Sugar. Just the right amount of sweetness to balance the tang of the cream cheese. You can adjust slightly to taste.
- Lemon Juice. Adds a pop of acidity that enhances the strawberry flavor. Just ½ teaspoon is enough.
👉 Exact amounts and full instructions in the printable recipe card below.
How to Make Ninja Creami Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
Quick Overview
- Blend all base ingredients until smooth.
- Freeze for 24 hours.
- Spin once in the Ninja Creami.
- Add 1 tablespoon of milk and respin.
- Mix in the graham cracker swirl.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Ice Cream Base
Add ½ block of cream cheese, 1 cup strawberries, ¾ cup milk, ½ cup heavy cream, ⅓ cup sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and ½ teaspoon lemon juice to a high-speed blender. Blend on high speed for 30-45 seconds until completely smooth. Scrape down the sides if needed.
Step 2: Freeze the Base
Pour the blended base into a Ninja Creami container. Level the surface with a spoon or spatula. Place the lid on the container and freeze on a level surface for at least 24 hours. The base must be completely solid before spinning.
Step 3: Spin the Ice Cream
Remove the frozen pint from the freezer and take off the lid. Insert the container into the Ninja Creami outer bowl, lock it into the machine, and select the Ice Cream function.
Step 4: Re-Spin for Creaminess
Use a spoon to make a well in the center of the ice cream and add 1 tablespoon of milk. Return it to the Ninja Creami, and use the Re-Spin function.
Step 5: Make the Graham Cracker Swirl
While the ice cream is spinning, combine ¼ cup graham cracker crumbs, 1 tablespoon melted butter, and 1 tablespoon brown sugar in a small bowl. Mix until it resembles wet sand.
Step 6: Add the Swirl
Once your ice cream is smooth and creamy, use the back of a spoon to create a well in the center. Add the graham cracker mixture to the top and insert the pint back into the machine. Select the Mix-In function to distribute the swirl throughout.
Step 7: Serve
Serve the ice cream immediately, topping it with leftover graham cracker swirl and fresh strawberries. Enjoy!
Top Tips
- Temperature matters. Use room-temperature cream cheese for the smoothest blending.
- Don't skimp on freezing time. A full 24 hours of freezing is needed for proper Ninja Creami processing.
- The respin is essential. That extra tablespoon of milk and the respin cycle give the perfect creamy texture.
- Keep graham cracker swirl separate. Don't add the graham cracker mixture to the base before freezing - it will get soggy.
Substitutions and Variations
- Vanilla Cookies: Substitute vanilla wafer crumbs or crushed Golden Oreos for the graham crackers.
- Berry Variations: Replace strawberries with raspberries or a mixed berry blend.
- Citrus Twist: Add a teaspoon of lemon zest to brighten the flavor.
- Chocolate Lover's Version: Add two tablespoons of white chocolate chips along with the graham cracker swirl.
Storage Instructions
Short-term storage: Keep in the Ninja Creami pint container with the lid secured in the freezer for up to 1 week.
Long-term storage: Press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the ice cream to prevent ice crystals and freeze for up to 1 month.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, but thaw them first and drain excess liquid.
This is normal! Use the Respin function with a tablespoon of milk to achieve the perfect creamy texture.
Yes, use dairy-free cream cheese, coconut cream instead of heavy cream, and your favorite plant-based milk. The texture won't be identical but still delicious.
Printable Recipe
Ninja Creami Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
Ingredients
For the Ice Cream Base:
- 4 ounces (½ block) cream cheese (room temperature)
- 1 cup fresh strawberries (hulled)
- ¾ cup Fairlife 2% milk (or whole milk), plus 1 tablespoon for the RESPIN
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice
For the Graham Cracker Swirl:
- ¼ cup graham cracker crumbs
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
Instructions
- Add cream cheese, strawberries, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla, and lemon juice to a blender. Blend on high speed until completely smooth, about 30-45 seconds.
- Pour mixture into a clean Ninja Creami pint container, not exceeding the MAX FILL line. Secure lid and freeze for at least 24 hours.
- Remove frozen pint from freezer, remove lid, and place in Ninja Creami outer bowl. Secure lid assembly and select ICE CREAM function.
- While the ice cream is processing, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and brown sugar in a small bowl until crumbly.
- Make a small well in the center of processed ice cream. Add 1 tablespoon milk, secure the lid, and select the RE-SPIN function for ultimate creaminess.
- Create another small well down to the bottom of the pint jar. Add the graham cracker mixture to the top. Pack it down with the back of the spoon. Secure the lid again and select MIX-IN.
- Serve immediately with the remaining graham cracker mixture on top and garnish with fresh strawberries. Enjoy!
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Notes
- Room temperature cream cheese will blend the best.
- For best results, use Fairlife milk, which has less water content.
- Don't add the graham cracker mixture before freezing - it will get soggy.
Nutrition
The provided nutrition information is automatically calculated. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
Kathy says
Can you use strawberry jam if you don’t have strawberries? Can you leave the cream cheese out? Or would there be a substitute you can use instead?
Jeri Walker says
Hi Kathy. You can use strawberry jam instead of strawberries. If you don't want to use the cream cheese you may be more interested in my Ninja Creami Strawberry Ice Cream instead, which you could also use strawberry jam instead of fresh or frozen strawberries. 😊