This high protein cherry cheesecake Ninja Creami is thick, creamy, and made with cottage cheese, a CorePower protein shake, cheesecake pudding mix, dark cherries, and crushed graham crackers.
I tested this a few different ways. The milk-only version was icy. The version with extra pudding mix got too thick. The blended cottage cheese version had the best cheesecake-style texture.
That is the version I would actually make again.
The cottage cheese gives the base more body, the cheesecake pudding mix helps with flavor and texture, and the dark cherries make it taste more like cherry cheesecake instead of plain vanilla protein ice cream with fruit mixed in.
The full pint has about 390 calories and 54g of protein, depending on your exact protein shake, cottage cheese, and mix-ins.
If you're looking for other cheesecake hits from the archive, try these:
- Oreo Cheesecake Protein Mousse
- Single Serve Oreo Cottage Cheese Cheesecake High Protein
- High Protein Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake
The Cottage Cheese Strategy
Cottage cheese is what keeps this from turning into icy protein milk. Once it is blended smooth, it thickens the base before it ever hits the freezer.
That gives the Ninja Creami more structure to work with, so the final pint spins creamier instead of crumbly. The key is blending it completely smooth. If you leave curds in the base, they freeze into little icy pieces.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- High Protein: The cottage cheese, protein shake, and optional protein powder help boost the protein.
- Cheesecake-Style Texture: Blended cottage cheese gives the base a thicker, creamier feel.
- Real Cherry Flavor: Dark cherries make it taste more like cherry cheesecake.
- Easy Prep: Blend the base, freeze, spin, and add mix-ins.
- No Heavy Cream: The base is creamy without needing heavy cream.
- Graham Cracker Crunch: Crushed graham crackers give it that cheesecake crust vibe.
What Makes This Different From Regular Cherry Ice Cream?
Regular cherry ice cream usually depends on cream, sugar, and fruit.
This version is built more like a high-protein cheesecake pint. The base uses cottage cheese and a protein shake, then the cheesecake pudding mix helps bring in that cheesecake flavor.
The graham crackers are optional, but they make a big difference. They give you that crust-like bite that makes the whole pint feel more like cherry cheesecake.
This is not just vanilla protein ice cream with cherries. The cottage cheese, pudding mix, cherries, and graham crumbs all work together to make it feel more like a frozen cheesecake dessert.
Key Equipment Focus
- Digital Kitchen Scale: Optional, but helpful if you are tracking macros.
- Ninja Creami: This recipe is made for the Ninja Creami. The machine spins a frozen pint into a creamy texture.
- Immersion Blender or Regular Blender: You need to blend the cottage cheese completely smooth before freezing.
- Ninja Creami Pint: Use the official pint and do not fill above the max fill line.
- Spoon: Needed to make a hole in the center before adding the mix-ins.
Ingredient Deep Dive & Strategy
- Cottage Cheese: Adds the creamy protein base and helps keep the pint from spinning icy.
- CorePower Protein Shake: Adds liquid, flavor, and protein without making the base taste watered down.
- Cheesecake Pudding Mix: Thickens the base and gives it more of that cheesecake flavor.
- Monk Fruit Sweetener: Adds sweetness without adding much sugar.
- Dark Frozen Cherries: Bring tartness and texture so the pint tastes more like cherry cheesecake with juicy bites.
The Cottage Cheese Strategy
Cottage cheese is the key ingredient in this recipe.
If you leave it chunky, the texture will not be good. The curds can freeze into small icy bits, and you may taste them in the final pint.
Blend the base until it is completely smooth before freezing. There should be no visible curds left.
Once blended, cottage cheese gives the pint a thicker base and a mild cheesecake-style flavor. It is much less tart than Greek yogurt, which is why I prefer it here.
High Protein Cherry Cheesecake Ninja Creami Step by Step Instructions
1. Blend the base
Add the cottage cheese, CorePower shake, cheesecake pudding mix, sweetener, and optional protein powder to a tall container or blender.
Blend until completely smooth.
Do not stop blending until there are no cottage cheese curds left.
2. Add the cherries
Stir the dark frozen cherries into the smooth base.
You can also blend a few cherries into the base if you want a stronger cherry flavor, but I like keeping most of them whole for texture.
3. Freeze the pint
Pour the mixture into a Ninja Creami pint.
Make sure it does not go above the max fill line.
Add the lid and freeze on a flat surface for at least 24 hours.
4. Spin
Remove the frozen pint from the freezer.
Place it into the Ninja Creami outer bowl and spin on the Ice Cream setting.
5. Re-spin if needed
After the first spin, check the texture.
If it looks crumbly, powdery, or dry, add a small splash of milk to the center and run the Re-Spin cycle.
One re-spin is usually enough.
6. Add mix-ins
Use a spoon to make a hole down the center of the pint.
Add the extra cherries and crushed graham crackers.
Run the Mix-In cycle.
7. Serve
Eat straight from the pint or scoop into a bowl.
Add extra graham cracker crumbs on top if you want more cheesecake crust flavor.
Best Texture Tips
For the best Ninja Creami texture:
- Blend the cottage cheese completely smooth.
- Freeze the pint for at least 24 hours.
- Freeze the pint on a flat surface.
- Do not overfill past the max fill line.
- Add a splash of milk before re-spinning if crumbly.
- Add graham crackers only during the Mix-In cycle.
- Re-spin leftovers before eating.
Troubleshooting & FAQ
Why is my Ninja Creami crumbly after the first spin?
That is normal with lower-fat, high-protein Creami bases. Add a small splash of milk and run the Re-Spin cycle.
Why is my pint icy?
The base may be too thin, or the cottage cheese may not have been blended well enough. The cottage cheese helps make the base creamier, so do not skip it.
Can I use Greek yogurt instead of cottage cheese?
Yes, but the flavor will be tangier. Cottage cheese gives a milder cheesecake flavor.
Can I use regular milk instead of a protein shake?
Yes, but the protein will be lower. You may want to add protein powder if using regular milk.
Do I have to use cheesecake pudding mix?
It helps with the cheesecake flavor and texture. You can use vanilla pudding mix, but the flavor will be less cheesecake-like.
Can I use fresh cherries?
Yes, but frozen dark cherries are easy and work well. If using fresh cherries, remove the pits first.
Can I skip the graham crackers?
Yes, but they help make the pint taste more like cherry cheesecake. You can also use crushed vanilla wafers, cereal, or a protein cookie.
Can I use whey protein powder?
You can use a small amount, but too much pure whey can make the texture chalkier. A whey/casein blend usually works better.
Do I really need to freeze it for 24 hours?
Yes. The pint should be frozen solid before spinning so the Ninja Creami can process it correctly.
How do I store leftovers?
Level the top, put the lid back on, and freeze the pint again. Re-spin before eating later.
Substitutions Table
| Component | Swap Options |
|---|---|
| Cottage Cheese | Low-fat Greek yogurt or Neufchâtel cheese |
| Protein Shake | Fairlife milk or unsweetened almond milk with extra protein powder |
| Monk Fruit Sweetener | Maple syrup, honey, or allulose |
| Gluten-Free Graham Crackers | High-protein vanilla wafers or oat flour crumbles |
Storage
Store any leftover portions directly in the pint container with the lid sealed tight.
Because low-fat, high-protein ice creams contain very little sugar and butterfat, they freeze rock-hard after sitting. Do not try to scoop it directly out of the freezer after it has sat overnight.
Put it back into the machine and run the Re-Spin program to bring that creamy texture back.
You Might Also Like
If you're into high-protein desserts, these three are worth checking out next:
- Frozen Chocolate Protein Dessert
- High Protein Amaretti Cookies The Amaretto Method
- High Protein Dunkaroo Dip The Birthday Cake Macro Hack
The Final Verdict & Share
This high protein cherry cheesecake Ninja Creami is thick, creamy, and way better than the milk-only version I tested. The blended cottage cheese gives the pint a cheesecake-style base, the dark cherries add tart fruit flavor, and the graham crackers bring in that crust-like crunch. Make it once, re-spin if needed, and tag me if you try it.
High Protein Cherry Cheesecake Ninja Creami
Ingredients
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 bottle CorePower shake (26g protein)
- 2 tbsp Simply Desserts cheesecake pudding mix
- 1 tbsp monk fruit sweetener or maple syrup/honey
- 1-2 tbsp protein powder optional blend
- 0.5 cup dark frozen cherries added to base
- 2 tbsp extra cherries for mix-in
- 2 tbsp gluten-free graham crackers crushed for mix-in
Method
- Blend all base ingredients including cottage cheese, protein shake, pudding mix, sweetener, and optional protein powder until completely smooth using an immersion blender.
- Stir in the dark frozen cherries into the mixture before pouring into the pint container.
- Freeze the filled pint container on a level surface for at least 24 hours.
- Once frozen solid, place the pint into the outer bowl and spin on the ‘Ice Cream' setting.
- If the texture looks crumbly or dry, add a tiny splash of milk and run it on the ‘Re-Spin' cycle.
- Dig a hole down the center of the ice cream, add your extra cherries and crushed gluten-free graham crackers, and hit the ‘Mix-In' button.
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