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What was one of your favorite childhood drinks? You know, the one that brings back fond memories of playing outside on a hot summer day with your friends.
Mine would have to be Kool-Aid, specifically the cherry flavor. So, to experience that nostalgic feeling, Alex and I decided to make cherry Kool-Aid ice cream!
When I was younger, I loved playing outside at my friend’s house and make forts in the woods or drive around in her dune-buggy singing along (off key) to the radio. When we got thirsty or too tired to keep running around, her mom usually had a pack of Kool-Aid drinks to give us that we happily chugged down.
Eating this cherry Kool-Aid ice cream really brings back the feeling of those happy, care-free days. Besides the delicious flavor, the color of the ice cream is a beautiful, bright red. How could you not want to eat it all in one sitting?
One of my favorite parts about this Ninja Creami recipe is how easy it is! All it takes is a few basic ingredients and a packet of cherry Kool-Aid.
We used a Kool-Aid drink powder packet that can be found at most local grocery stores in the drink aisle. There’s usually a section containing drink packets and mix-ins where the Kool-Aid pouches are stored.
In terms of flavor strength, we wanted our ice cream to taste as much like actual cherry Kool-Aid as possible, so we used the entire drink packet. However, you can use as much or as little Kool-Aid powder as you want!
The whole packet makes the flavor really pop, but if you’re looking for something a little less strong or sour, start with half or three-fourths of the packet and go from there.
So, if you’re looking for a nostalgic Ninja Creami recipe, grab a cherry Kool-Aid packet and get spinning!
To Make Dairy-Free Cherry Kool-Aid Ice Cream, Use the Following:
- 1 tbsp vegan cream cheese for 1 tbsp cream cheese
- 1 cup oat milk for 1 cup whole milk
- 3/4 cup cream of coconut for 3/4 cup heavy cream
First Time Using the Ninja Creami or Looking for Tips?
While the Ninja Creami is a machine with only 7 (or 11) buttons, it can still be intimidating! Here are a few tips and tricks Alex and I have picked up since beginning our ice cream journey with the Ninja Creami!
- How strong is the flavor? We used an entire packet of cherry Kool-Aid powder, which I thought was just right. However, it did have a very strong flavor, so feel free to start with half or three-quarters of the packet when making the ice cream mixture. You can always try the mixture before putting it into the Ninja Creami pint and add more from there!
- Where do you buy the Kool-Aid packet? We found it at our local Stop & Shop in the drinks aisle (the section that has all of the drink powders and flavorings). It was only $0.39, so we thought it was a steal! Most local grocery stores should carry it.
- If I put the pint back into the freezer, do I need to mix the ice cream up again before enjoying? Surprisingly, no! When using the typical base ingredients (whole milk, heavy cream), re-spinning is probably best to get the ice cream back to its original creamy consistency after freezing. However, we have found when using oat milk and cream of coconut, our first spin leaves the ice cream very creamy (almost like a soft-serve texture). After putting it in the freezer for 24 hours after this original spin, the ice cream is the perfect texture to enjoy without re-spinning! My suggestion is see how the texture is without a re-spin, and re-spin only as necessary!
- What button should I use to spin my ice cream? This all depends on the consistency you’re going for! Each button operates the machine at varying speeds. For thicker concoctions (like ice cream), the ice cream button is best. However, if using eggs in the recipe (like a gelato), use the gelato button! The sorbet button is best used with fruit mixtures. For example, if mixing a can of pineapples in heavy syrup, use the sorbet button to make a delicious fruity creation! Overall, it’s something you can experiment with to find your personal preference for your ice cream consistency!
Looking for More Ninja Creami Recipes?
If you’re on the hunt for more Ninja Creami recipes, be sure to grab one of our recipe e-books, Top 25 Ninja Creami Recipes ($2.99), or the great value of over 50 recipes in Ninja Creami Cookbook: Ice Cream & Gelato Edition! Each includes favorites such as cake batter gelato, red velvet ice cream, Shirley Temple ice cream, and many more!
If you’re like us and are running out of ice cream storage containers, grab a two-pack of Ninja Creami pints to keep your freezer full with all of your ice cream creations!
Or if you don’t have a Ninja Creami and are on the fence about getting one, check out my honest review!
Do You Want to Make Your Own Ninja Creami Cookbook?
If you want to make your own version of a Ninja Creami cookbook, check out our Ninja Creami Recipe Page Template! Besides the fun design, it has space to write the spin setting, number of servings, ingredients, directions, and notes (everything a Creami recipe needs)!
Ninja Creami Cherry Kool-Aid Ice Cream
Description
Cherry Kool-Aid ice cream uses a single Kool-Aid drink packet to create a beautiful red ice cream bursting with nostalgic flavor.
To make this recipe in the Ninja Creami Deluxe, multiply all ingredients by 1.5
Note: 1 serving = 1 pint
Ingredients
Instructions
Place 1 tbsp cream cheese in a medium bowl and microwave for 5-10 seconds. If the cream cheese was in the fridge, these 5-10 seconds in the microwave will help soften it up to mix well with the other ingredients.
Combine cream cheese with 1/3 cup granulated sugar. Whisk until the ingredients are mixed together.
Whisk in 1 packet of cherry Kool-Aid drink mix.
Slowly whisk in 1 cup whole milk and 3/4 cup heavy cream.
Pour the mixture into a Ninja Creami pint container, ensuring it does not go over the max fill line.
Freeze the pint for 24 hours, making sure it is placed on a flat surface in the freezer.
After 24 hours, remove the pint from the freezer, and plug in your Ninja Creami machine! Time for the magic.
Remove the lid from the pint and grab the Ninja Creami outer bowl. Place the pint securely into the outer bowl and cover with the lid. Once the lid is on, place the outer bowl into the machine, twisting to the right until it locks into place. Press the "Ice Cream" button and (try to) wait patiently for the creamy treat coming your way.
Once the process is finished, press and hold the button on the left side of the Creami to twist the bowl to the left and remove it from the machine. Twist the lid off of the outer bowl and remove the pint.
Now your cherry Kool-Aid ice cream is ready to enjoy!
Note
If you don't like following recipes, don't worry - you can customize it however you want! We personally use oat milk and coconut cream to avoid most of the dairy, and it's some of the best ice cream we've ever had.
If you liked this recipe, check out our recipe for tropical punch ice cream here.