Vanilla Ninja CREAMi Pudding Mix Recipe
- kcal
- 360
- protein
- 9g
- sugar
- 29g
- fat
- 18g
per pint, estimated
This is the cheat-code variant of our classic vanilla pint: three tablespoons of instant pudding mix replace all the custard work. Cornstarch is a professional-grade stabilizer — it holds water during the freeze and blocks large ice crystals, so the base spins into the silkiest texture in this catalog with no eggs and no stovetop. The trade-off is a sweeter, dessert-forward pint, which is why there's no added sugar in the base. If your CREAMi batches keep coming out icy, make this one next — between the cornstarch and one short respin, it's about as icy-proof as a homemade pint gets.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | US | Metric | kcal | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whole milk | 1 cup | 240 ml | 150 | 8g |
| Instant vanilla pudding mix | 3 tbsp | 26 g | 100 | 0g |
| Heavy cream | 2 tbsp | 30 ml | 100 | 1g |
| Pure vanilla extract | 1 tsp | 5 ml | 12 | 0g |
| Pinch of kosher salt | 1/8 tsp | 0.75 g | 0 | 0g |
Per-line macros are for the whole amount listed. Nutrition per pint is estimated — see the methodology on the About page.
Steps
Whisk the pudding mix into the whole milk in a medium bowl for about 60 seconds, until the powder fully hydrates and no lumps remain.
Whisk in the heavy cream, vanilla, and salt.
Pour into the CREAMi pint and freeze upright on a level shelf for 24 hours.
- Spin: ICE CREAM
Process on ICE CREAM — this base usually comes out nearly smooth on the first pass.
- Spin: RE-SPIN
If the texture is at all crumbly, add 1 tbsp milk and RE-SPIN once, then serve immediately for the silkiest scoop.
If it comes out crumbly: respin
If the first spin looks crumbly, add 1 tbsp whole milk and RE-SPIN. The cornstarch is already doing the texture work, so one respin is usually all this base needs to turn plush.
Still icy after the respin? The icy-fix guide has all seven fixes.
Scaling to your machine
For the 24 oz Deluxe tub (NC501), multiply every ingredient by 1.5 — that's 4 1/2 tbsp pudding mix — and spin on the Deluxe ICE CREAM setting. On Scoop & Swirl (NC701), the same base works — spin on ICE CREAM, then use SWIRL to fold in crushed cookies.
FAQ
Why does pudding mix make Ninja CREAMi ice cream creamier?
Instant pudding mix is mostly cornstarch, plus sugar and flavoring. Cornstarch binds free water in the base, so fewer and smaller ice crystals form during the 24-hour freeze — the same reason it thickens stovetop pudding. The spin starts ahead and finishes silkier.
Can I use sugar-free pudding mix?
Yes — the cornstarch still stabilizes — but with less sugar the base freezes harder and spins slightly icier. Add 1 tbsp of sugar to compensate and plan on one extra RE-SPIN.
How much pudding mix is too much?
Past about 4 tbsp per pint the base turns gummy — more pudding skin than ice cream. Three tablespoons is the sweet spot for a 16 oz CREAMi tub.
Chasing protein? Peanut Butter Ninja CREAMi Ice Cream Recipe packs 41g per pint.
More pints to spin next
Vanilla Protein Ninja CREAMi Ice Cream Recipe
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