Orange Creamsicle Cottage Cheese Ice Cream
Orange Creamsicle Cottage Cheese Ice Cream is a super fun and delicious high protein ice cream recipe made in the Ninja Creami Ice Cream Maker.
I've been on a roll making cottage cheese based ice creams in my Ninja Creami Ice Cream Maker. From my vanilla to strawberry, and now this creamsicle flavor, I am truly obsessed! Not only is this Orange Creamsicle Cottage Cheese Ice Cream high in protein and made with simple ingredients, but it is SO good and you would never guess this is a "healthier" ice cream!
The true test is always my kids, and all of my cottage cheese ice creams have passed with flying colors!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Easy - this orange creamsicle cottage cheese ice cream recipe is super simple and easy to whip up. And there are only five ingredients!
- Delicious - full of orange creamsicle flavor!
- Protein Packed - this recipe is naturally a high protein ice cream from the addition of creamy cottage cheese.
Ingredients
Cottage Cheese - this gives the ice cream a super creamy texture. I typically use whole-milk cottage cheese but you could also use low fat cottage cheese.
Milk - I use 2%, but you can use whatever kind you have on hand.
Sugar - I use granulated white sugar to sweeten this creamsicle ice cream.
Orange Zest and Orange Juice - juice and zest from fresh oranges gives this creamsicle ice cream amazing orange flavor.
Vanilla Extract - this, along with the orange flavoring, is what gives this ice cream the creamsicle flavor!
Please refer to the recipe card for the complete list of ingredients.
Variations
Different Citrus - you could definitely make a version of this with lime zest and juice (or check out my Ninja Creami Lime Sherbet), lemon zest and juice, or grapefruit zest and juice.
Add More Orange Flavor - you could add ½ teaspoon of orange extract for more orange flavor.
Different Sweetener - I used granulated sugar but you could substitute it for maple syrup, honey, agave, or your favorite sweetener.
Add More Protein - if you want even more protein in this ice cream, you can add a scoop or two of vanilla protein powder.
Use Greek Yogurt - you could use Greek yogurt instead of cottage cheese to keep this ice cream treat low in overall fat and high in protein.
Step by Step Instructions
Photo 1. In a food processor or blender, blend the cottage cheese, sugar, milk, orange zest, and vanilla extract.
Photo 2. Add the orange juice and blend until creamy.
Photo 3. Transfer to a Ninja Creami pint container and freeze for 24 hours.
Photo 4. Once frozen, insert into Ninja Creami and run the ice cream cycle. It will likely be crumbly, like the photo above.
Photo 5. Add 2 tablespoons of milk and run the Re-Spin cycle 1-2 times, until the ice creamy is creamy.
Photo 6. Serve and enjoy!
Expert Tips
Storage - store leftovers in the freezer in the Ninja Creami pint container or any airtight freezer-safe container. Before eating again, run it through the Ninja Creami to get it back to creamy.
Serving Suggestions - I liked my creamsicle cottage cheese ice cream plain but you could top it with crushed graham crackers to resemble a creamsicle pie. Other topping ideas are chopped cookies, chopped strawberries, or any type of fruit.
Ice Cream Maker Instructions - if you don't have a Ninja Creami, you can make this in a regular ice cream machine. Be sure the drum of the ice cream machine is frozen. Add the creamsicle mixture to the frozen drum and let it churn until frozen.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! It adds a creaminess to the ice cream while also adding protein. You really cannot taste it.
Other Ice Cream Recipes to Consider
If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating on this recipe below and leave a comment, or take a photo and tag me on Instagram with #greensnchocolate.
Orange Creamsicle Cottage Cheese Ice Cream (in the Ninja Creami!)
Ingredients
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- zest from 1 orange
- ⅔ cup fresh orange juice
Instructions
- In a small food processor, add the cottage cheese, milk, sugar, vanilla, and orange zest and process until creamy.
- Add the orange juice and pulse until combined.
- Pour into a Ninja Creami pint container and freeze for 24 hours.
- Once frozen, place into the Ninja Creami ice cream maker and run the ice cream cycle.
- Remove the pint from the machine. If the mixture is crumbly, add 2 tablespoons of milk, re-insert it, and run the Re-Spin cycle 1-2 more times, until desired consistency is reached.
- Serve and enjoy!
