Today’s Forecast is Calling for a Chance of Sprinkles
On Mother’s Day, my family and I dodged raindrops to visit a local Coldstone Creamery ice cream store to see if a sweet treat would add some sunshine to our day. The ice cream tasted delicious, the cost left a bad taste in my mouth.
We purchased four ice cream treats, and the bill was $39.43 plus the few dollars I put inside the tip jar that was staring at me. The mere thought that ice cream could cost that much convinced me it was time to purchase an at home ice cream maker. This machine would be in good company, as I’m known to find food money savers, and it would join my most recent favorite kitchen appliance purchase, my indoor pizza oven.
Make Ice Cream in Minutes and SAVE Money
So, off I went to research ice cream makers, and selected the Ninja NC301 CREAMi Ice Cream Maker, a machine that offers seven different uses and claims to make ice cream in minutes.
This particular model is the perfect size, not too big and not too small. I only buy kitchen appliances that can be displayed on my counter top. Leaving it out makes it accessible to use often. Storing it inside a kitchen cabinet makes it out of sight, out of mind.
Seven One-Touch Preset Programs in One Ice Cream Maker
The Creamify technology turns almost any base ingredient into a frozen treat as the Creamerizer Paddle shaves and churns ice particles into creamy consistencies in minutes.
Seven One-Touch programs allow for the perfect combination of speed, pressure, and time to completely shave through your frozen pint.
>> Ice Cream
>> Sorbet
>> Gelato
>> Milkshakes
>> Smoothie bowl
>> Lite ice cream
>> Mix-ins
What Comes Inside the Ninja NC301 CREAMi Ice Cream Maker Box?
It’s funny that an ice cream lover like me never owned an at-home maker. As I unboxed the item, my apprehensiveness that I wouldn’t know what to do with all the machine parts quickly changed to confidence as it has minimal attachments.
Box includes:
:: Motor base
:: Creamerizer™ paddle
:: (2) CREAMi® pints with storage lids
:: Outer bowl and lid to hold pint while processing
:: Recipe guide with 30 recipes
Completely Customizable Treats Start With Just 3 Main Ingredients
You can select whatever ice cream flavor and texture you prefer. This is especially great if you are trying to make a healthy frozen treat, or you prefer a certain type of milk to use as base. A base prior to adding flavors is traditionally one cup heavy cream, one cup of whole milk, and half cup of granulated sugar. However, you can use any type of milk and sweetener that meets your dietary needs. You can also avoid the unhealthy ingredients often included in retail store ice cream varieties including cellulose gum, carrageenan, mono and diglycerides, potassium sorbate, citric acid, tricalcium phosphate artificial colors and so many more!
The sky is the limit with the customized treats you can whip up. With the Ninja NC301 CREAMi Ice Cream Maker, you can create fruit-based recipes, favorites like apple pie sorbet, strawberry sorbet, banana ice cream, orange creamsicle ice cream, peach ice cream, key lime pie ice cream and coffee gelato. A special preset button allows you to add just about any mix-in you’d like whether fruit, candy, nuts, cake, cookies, chocolate, or special extracts and other flavorings.
This item is ideal for any family with food allergies whether a dairy allergy, milk allergy, soy allergy, lactose intolerance, or nut allergy. That way, you can rest assured that there is no cross contamination with the allergy-inducing ingredients.
Ninja™ CREAMi® Makes a Pint of Ice Cream in Minutes in 3 Easy Steps
Ninja’s Creamify™ technology enables the CREAMi™ to break down a uniformly frozen block into an incredibly smooth, creamy texture in minutes. The “One-Touch” Program’s length and speed varies based on the results you want for your treat.
Here are the general 3 steps to making ice cream in the Ninja™ CREAMi:
- Simply prep your base using your choice of milk and sweeteners.
- Freeze overnight in the storage containers provided.
- With a press of a button, process your treat.
For a softer, creamier treat, select the “Re-spin” function after processing. An LED progress bar will guide you during the ice cream making process. Clean-up is a breeze as all parts are dishwasher safe.
Note 1: Step two of the ice cream process says, “freeze overnight” and while not convenient, still not a deal breaker. Simply plan ahead to create the ice cream base the night before or at least 8 hours (in my experience) prior to customizing with your mix-ins. Trust me, it is well worth the wait when you get to enjoy the final product.
Note 2: There is a bit of a learning curve to figure out how to get your ideal consistency and flavor but once you develop it, you’ll become an ice cream guru like me.
Note 3: This machine is VERY LOUD, but the only drawback is that you can’t sneak making ice cream when others are sleeping.
Product Specifications and Cost
I purchased my Ninja NC301 CREAMi Ice Cream Maker from Kohl’s for the sale price $199.99. It actually cost me even less thanks to a coupon and two gift cards. So, the sale cost is like comparing it to only five visits to Coldstone Creamery with my family. And this handy appliance has been used more than a dozen times within the first month of owning it. Besides the impressively delicious and unique creations we are making, is the fun we are having coming up with new recipes and turning our unique creations into a family competition.
Here are some of the product specifications:
:: Amperage: 7 amps
:: Dishwasher Safe
:: Color: Black/Silver
:: Cord Length: 31.5 in
:: Size: 6.52 in L x 12.07 in W x 15.95 in H
:: Wattage: 800 watts
:: Automatic Programs: 8
:: Voltage: 120 volts
:: Weight:13 lbs.
:: BPA chemical-free
:: 1 Year Warranty
Make Everyday a “Sundae Fun Day” With a Ninja NC301 CREAMi Ice Cream Maker
I know what you’re thinking; an ice cream maker is not a necessity. But take it from me, it’s so much fun to own. This ice cream maker along with our indoor pizza oven has added so many giggles to our family get togethers. So, in addition to making pizza dough ahead of time, I also prep a variety of ice cream bases prior to hosting guests. That way, we simply add flavors and mix-ins to the bases to create frozen treats that receive a resounding “wow” at our collaborative creations.
With a push of a button, I can make desserts at home, from smooth, creamy and fancy ice cream flavors to milkshakes, protein shakes, dairy-free selections, gelato, smoothie bowls, and fruit sorbets. My absolute favorite is a base of vanilla ice cream with cheesecake pieces and crushed graham crackers folded in.
To say I love this machine is an understatement. My family teases that I should change my relationship status on social media to “Committed to my Ninja NC301 CREAMi Ice Cream Maker.”
