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This may seem like a crazy idea, but have you ever thought about Kool-Aid in ice cream? Let me tell you, it’s my childhood dream come true.
That’s why Alex and I decided to turn one of our favorite Kool-Aid flavors into ice cream: Tropical Punch ice cream!
Growing up, I remember playing outside all day with my friends on a hot Saturday and running in for a quick drink. If we were lucky, we would have blue or red Kool-Aid Bursts waiting for us to chug down.
If you’ve ever had a tropical punch Kool-Aid burst, you’ll know they are super flavorful and extremely delicious. There is nothing quite like them when you’re a kid on a hot summer day.
That’s exactly why we decided to make tropical punch Kool-Aid into ice cream. Every bite tastes just like a sweet childhood memory coming back!
To make this ice cream, we used a packet of Tropical Punch Kool-Aid powder that we found at our local grocery store. We used the whole packet, and it packed a very strong punch of flavor. I loved it, but Alex said it might be better if it was toned down a bit.
So the message is: the amount of flavor you would like is up to you! If you love Kool-Aid or strong-flavored ice creams, throw the whole packet in! If you’re not sure, add in half or three-quarters of the packet and go from there!
You can always taste the ice cream mixture before freezing and add more powder if necessary.
So grab a packet of tropical punch Kool-Aid powder and make this amazing Ninja Creami ice cream recipe!
To Make Dairy-Free Tropical Punch 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 tropical punch 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 Tropical Punch Ice Cream
Description
Tropical punch ice cream uses a packet of tropical punch Kool-Aid powder to bring back a favorite childhood drink in ice cream form! For a strong flavor, use the whole packet (I loved it)! To tone down the flavor, start with half or three-quarters of the packet.
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 tsp vanilla extract and 1/3 cup granulated sugar. Whisk until the ingredients are mixed together.
Whisk in 1 packet of tropical punch 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 tropical punch 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 matcha ice cream here.