Ninja Creami Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
Creamy and rich homemade strawberry cheesecake ice cream made with real cream cheese, fresh strawberries, and buttery graham cracker swirls. This Dairy Queen Blizzard copycat delivers restaurant-quality results using your Ninja Creami machine with no artificial flavors or stabilizers.
Equipment
- Ninja Creami Ice Cream Maker
- High-speed blender
- Ninja Creami pint container
- Small mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Ice cream scoop
Ingredients
- 4 ounces ½ block cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup fresh strawberries hulled
- ¾ cup milk Fairlife 2% or whole milk, plus 1 tablespoon for re-spin
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- For the Graham Cracker Swirl:
- ¼ cup graham cracker crumbs
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter melted
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the Ice Cream Base: Add cream cheese, strawberries, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon juice to a high-speed blender. Blend on high speed for 30-45 seconds until completely smooth. Scrape down sides if needed.
- Freeze the Base: Pour the blended mixture into a clean Ninja Creami pint container, not exceeding the MAX FILL line. Level the surface with a spoon. Secure lid and freeze on a level surface for at least 24 hours until completely solid.
- First Spin: Remove frozen pint from freezer and remove lid. Place container in Ninja Creami outer bowl, secure lid assembly, and select ICE CREAM function.
- Prepare Graham Cracker Swirl: While ice cream processes, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and brown sugar in a small bowl. Mix until it resembles wet sand.
- Re-Spin for Creaminess: Make a small well in the center of processed ice cream. Add 1 tablespoon milk, secure lid, and select RE-SPIN function for ultimate creaminess.
- Add Mix-ins: Create another small well down to the bottom of the pint jar. Add graham cracker mixture to the top and pack down with back of spoon. Secure lid and select MIX-IN function.
- Serve: Serve immediately with remaining graham cracker mixture on top and garnish with fresh strawberries.
Notes
**Temperature Matters:** Use room-temperature cream cheese for the smoothest blending and best texture.
**Freezing is Critical:** Allow full 24 hours of freezing time for proper Ninja Creami processing.
**The Re-spin is Essential:** That extra tablespoon of milk and re-spin cycle creates the perfect creamy texture.
**Keep Swirl Separate:** Don't add graham cracker mixture to base before freezing - it will become soggy.
**Milk Choice:** Fairlife milk works best due to lower water content, but whole milk is also excellent.
**Storage Instructions:**
- Short-term: Store in Ninja Creami pint container with lid secured in freezer for up to 1 week
- Long-term: Press plastic wrap directly onto ice cream surface to prevent ice crystals; freeze up to 1 month **Substitutions & Variations:**
- Cookies: Replace graham crackers with vanilla wafer crumbs or crushed Golden Oreos
- Berries: Substitute strawberries with raspberries or mixed berry blend
- Citrus Twist: Add 1 teaspoon lemon zest for brighter flavor
- Chocolate Version: Add 2 tablespoons white chocolate chips with graham cracker swirl
- Dairy-Free: Use dairy-free cream cheese, coconut cream instead of heavy cream, and plant-based milk **Troubleshooting:**
- If ice cream seems crumbly after first spin, this is normal - the re-spin will fix the texture
- Frozen strawberries can be used but thaw first and drain excess liquid
- If too soft, freeze for additional 2-4 hours before serving
- Short-term: Store in Ninja Creami pint container with lid secured in freezer for up to 1 week
- Long-term: Press plastic wrap directly onto ice cream surface to prevent ice crystals; freeze up to 1 month **Substitutions & Variations:**
- Cookies: Replace graham crackers with vanilla wafer crumbs or crushed Golden Oreos
- Berries: Substitute strawberries with raspberries or mixed berry blend
- Citrus Twist: Add 1 teaspoon lemon zest for brighter flavor
- Chocolate Version: Add 2 tablespoons white chocolate chips with graham cracker swirl
- Dairy-Free: Use dairy-free cream cheese, coconut cream instead of heavy cream, and plant-based milk **Troubleshooting:**
- If ice cream seems crumbly after first spin, this is normal - the re-spin will fix the texture
- Frozen strawberries can be used but thaw first and drain excess liquid
- If too soft, freeze for additional 2-4 hours before serving