Vanilla Orange Creamsicle Protein Ice Cream Recipe

 I am very picky about fruit in my desserts – with the exception of lemon flavored anything, I prefer to keep my “fruit” healthy and on its own and my desserts, well, dessert. So, I was surprised at how much I LOVED this recipe; the combo of rich, creamy vanilla and real orange is amazing, and as always with my protein desserts, they’re actually filling and satisfying in a way that most high-sugar desserts just aren’t. Let me know what you think!

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Prep time: 5 minutes
Freeze time: 12-24 hours, but frozen ice cream base can stay in your freezer for weeks.
Actual “ice cream making” time: 5-10 minutes

Makes: 1-3 servings (it’s enough to share but you don’t have to!)

Ingredients:

• I/2 cup milk of choice (I use whole cow’s milk, because fat is what makes ice cream delicious; with that said, the Ninja Creami does such a good job of creating an “ice cream” consistency that you can get away with lower fat milks and it will still taste good – cashew, coconut, and almond milk work too!)
• 1/2 cup full fat greek yogurt (you can use other yogurt options here; it will add protein and creaminess)
• 1-2 scoops vanilla protein powder of choice (the more protein powder, the more protein, obviously, but also the more flavor and since most protein powders have sweetness, you won’t need to add your own)
• a dash of vanilla extract (seriously, this isn't a science, whatever a dash means to you is fine)
• 2-3 small to medium sized oranges, peeled and separated. 

Instructions:

1. Add your milk, yogurt, protein powder, and oranges to a blender and blend (it's ok if there are still some orange fibers, it will all get mixed well in the end)
2. Add the mixture to your Ninja Creami pint container and freeze overnight.
3. Run the pint container under warm water for about 20 seconds, take off the top, put it in your Ninja Creami (follow instructions for how to use the machine properly) and use the Lite Ice Cream setting.
4. When it’s finished, you’ll probably notice that your ice cream is crumbly and not ice cream consistency; chances are you’ll have to run it through 2-3 times. Add a splash of milk and run it through the “Re-Spin” cycle. (One thing no one tells you is that the Ninja Creami is loud as heck and it takes probably 5-10 minutes to get your ice cream. Not ideal for when a baby is napping or something, so plan accordingly!)
5. After you’ve re-spun to your perfect consistency, you now have a pint of creamy, high-protein ice cream! If you want to add some extra fun and texture, think about adding crushed nuts, chocolate chips, or even crushed up cookies (depending on your goals and preferences). Add an ounce or so of your “topping” and then put your ice cream through the “mix-in” setting. (Even if you add “non-healthy” mix-ins, you’re still treating yourself to a dessert with better ingredients than what you’d get at the store, and the protein content will help you feel satiated while the lower sugar content will keep you from experiencing the energy crashes and carb-cravings that so often come from indulgences like ice cream.)