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My Classic Very Vanilla Lite Ice Cream sets the standard for what vanilla ice cream should taste like. It’s the scoop you reach for when you want your dessert to feel complete. Made with simple ingredients, it delivers big vanilla flavor that’s anything but boring in a perfectly creamy bite!

CLASSIC VERY VANILLA LITE ICE CREAM

People love to call vanilla boring, but how can something be boring when it makes every dessert better? Vanilla is the gold standard. It’s the scoop that turns something good into something unforgettable, especially when it’s made in the Ninja CREAMi!

Who doesn’t love a warm chocolate chip cookie with a scoop on top? Who doesn’t love apple pie with that melty, creamy layer? Who doesn’t love a fudgy brownie finished with a generous mound on the side? And who doesn’t love a slice of peach cobbler with that same cool finish melting into every bite?

Well, it’s high time I shared my favorite version with you.

My Classic Very Vanilla Lite Ice Cream is made with simple ingredients, serious flavor, and a perfectly creamy texture. I make mine in the Ninja CREAMi because it makes the process easy and incredibly smooth, and I truly believe it was worth every cent. But as always, I’ll show you how to make this cold treat without one.

This ice cream is creamy, lush, and anything but boring. It’s perfectly sweet, loaded with massive vanilla flavor, and the perfect addition to any dessert. You can also top it with fruit compote, chocolate chips, or crunchy nuts, and honestly, it’s good enough to stand on its own in a bowl with nothing else added.

Vanilla might have a reputation for being simple, but when it’s done right, it deserves the spotlight!

HOW I MADE-OVER THIS ICE CREAM:

I kept everything you love about classic vanilla ice cream, but upgraded the ingredients!

Lite coconut milk contains beneficial plant compounds and provides healthy fats. Half-and-half contributes calcium and vitamin D, which support bone health. Pure maple syrup contains trace minerals like magnesium and zinc, unlike refined white sugar. Vanilla extract and vanilla bean powder contain antioxidants that help protect the body from oxidative stress.

Same classic flavor, just better for you!

This recipe is nut-free, gluten-free, refined-sugar-free, egg-free, soy-free, grain-free, and vegetarian.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

(Use organic ingredients when possible)

Light coconut milk
Half and half
Pure maple syrup
Vanilla extract
Madagascar vanilla bean powder
Salt

THIS IS HOW YOU’LL MAKE IT:

If you have the Ninja CREAMi, you already know how easy this is to make and exactly why I love it so much. If you don’t, keep reading because I’ll show you how to make this ice cream without one.

Are you ready?

In a large measuring cup or in the CREAMi container itself, add all the ingredients and whisk until fully combined. If using a measuring cup, pour the mixture into your Ninja CREAMi container and freeze for 24 hours until set.

After 24 hours, spin it on the Lite Ice Cream cycle. Give it a quick taste. If you want more vanilla or a touch more maple syrup, add it now and re-spin. I always add a splash of coconut milk before the re-spin to make it extra creamy.

That’s it. You’ll have a great, clean, and delicious vanilla ice cream ready to scoop.

If you don’t have a Ninja CREAMi, no problem. Just plan for a little extra hands-on time. Prepare the ice cream base and pour it into a loaf pan or another freezer-safe container. During the first two hours, give the mixture a good stir every 20 to 35 minutes to help break up ice crystals as it freezes. See? Not that hard, is it?

Let’s talk ingredients for a second.

If you prefer using whole vanilla beans instead of powder, go for it. They bring incredible flavor. Just measure enough to match the intensity in this recipe.

I love the lite coconut milk from Thai Kitchen, but any quality brand works. You can use full-fat coconut milk if you want a slightly richer result. I stick with lite because it keeps things lighter (duh), which just means I can justify going back for another scoop or two!

Use pure maple syrup, not pancake syrup. Real maple syrup gives you better flavor and cleaner ingredients.

Always add a pinch of salt when you make dessert. It balances sweetness and makes every flavor pop. I use gray Celtic salt, but any good sea salt works.

For the half and half, choose a quality brand. Sometimes I use lactose-free, sometimes not. Either works here.

This Ninja CREAMi vanilla ice cream recipe is simple, clean, and loaded with real vanilla flavor.

Now get ready to pile this frozen treat on everything!

SERVING SUGGESTIONS:

A scoop of my Classic Very Vanilla Lite Ice Cream makes every dessert better. Pile it on top of warm chocolate chip cookies, a slice of apple pie or peach cobbler, fudgy brownies, berry crisp, grilled peaches or nectarines, or even a stack of pancakes or waffles.

You can also turn it into a classic ice cream float with your favorite soda.

Or top this ice cream with fresh berries, homemade fruit compote, chocolate chips, toasted nuts, nut butter, or granola.

And honestly, sometimes the best way to enjoy it is just a big scoop in a bowl all by itself!

MITA’S MUST-KNOW TIP:

When perfecting any recipe, the right amount of salt, spices, and sweeteners depends on the size and flavor of the produce you use, and that might be different from what I used when I developed this recipe. Your zucchini might be tiny compared to mine, your strawberries could be on the verge of being jam, and your tomatoes might be less tomato-y than expected, so taste as you go! If you add more veggies or swap anything in, a little seasoning tweak might be needed. You can totally make this dish your own, and if you go a little overboard, you can probably fix it. But tasting often means you won’t need a backup plan… or a backup meal!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

STORAGE AND LEFTOVERS:

Store any leftovers in the Ninja CREAMi container with the lid sealed in the freezer. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, let the container sit on the counter for about 10 minutes so it can soften slightly.

For the best texture, I usually run it through another re-spin. Add a small splash of coconut milk, then run the re-spin cycle again. This ensures a smooth texture.

Store in the freezer for up to 2 weeks.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

Give the ice cream a taste after the first spin. If you want a stronger vanilla flavor, add a little more vanilla extract or vanilla bean powder. Then run the re-spin cycle.

Make sure you are using pure maple syrup, not pancake syrup. Real maple syrup gives this ice cream its clean sweetness and better overall flavor.

Please don’t skip the salt. A small pinch of salt is important in every dessert because it balances sweetness and helps the flavors stand out.

NUTRITIONAL VALUES:

I don’t include nutritional values in my recipes because I believe in intuitive eating and balanced nutrition. Since ingredient brands can vary, the numbers aren’t always consistent. If you’d like a more accurate breakdown, I recommend entering this recipe into MyFitnessPal or a similar tracker.

For more great Dessert ideas, check these out!

5 Minute Healthy’ish Bourbon Sauce
Nutritious Coconutty Coffee Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Bake
Creamy Dreamy Piña Colada Mojito Lite Ice Cream
Ninja Creami Blueberry Coconut Cheesecake Protein Ice Cream

If you make this recipe, I’d love it if you left a comment and star rating below! And don’t forget to tag me on Instagram so I can see your creation. Feel free to reach out with any questions, and I’ll do my best to help!

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