Amarena Cherry Gelato

Directions

1. 1Pit and finely chop the Amarena cherries, then combine them with the cherry syrup, sugar, whole milk, heavy cream, cream cheese, lemon juice, and almond extract in a bowl and whisk vigorously until the sugar is fully dissolved and the cream cheese is smooth with no lumps remaining.
2. 2Pour the finished base into a Ninja Creami pint container, filling to the max fill line, then seal the lid and place the pint on a flat, level surface in your freezer.
3. 3Freeze for exactly 24 hours until the base is frozen completely solid throughout.
4. 4Remove the pint from the freezer, let it sit on the counter for 5 minutes, then install it in the Ninja Creami outer bowl and run the GELATO preset.
5. 5If the gelato appears crumbly or powdery after the first spin, add a small splash of whole milk (about 1 tablespoon) to the center of the pint and run the Re-spin function until the texture becomes smooth, dense, and creamy.
6. 6Scoop into serving dishes and top with whole Amarena cherries for garnish if desired.

Tips

• Freeze your pint completely flat and level for 16-24 hours so it spins smoothly without tilting or getting stuck in the Creami.
• If your gelato comes out crumbly or grainy after spinning, add just a splash of heavy cream and re-spin to get that creamy texture.
• Use fresh lemon juice, not bottled, because the acidity cuts through the richness and keeps the cherry flavor bright.

Variations

• Swap the almond extract for vanilla extract and use fresh pitted cherries instead of Amarena if you want a lighter, more delicate cherry flavor.
• Add a tablespoon of good balsamic vinegar to the base before freezing for a sophisticated depth that plays well with the cherry syrup.

FAQ

Can I make this without cream cheese?

Yes, just skip it and use an extra 2 tablespoons of heavy cream instead, though you'll lose a tiny bit of that tangy richness. The gelato will still freeze and spin just fine in your Creami.

Why did my pint not freeze solid or spin properly?

Make sure your pint is completely level in the freezer for the full 16-24 hours, and check that your freezer is actually at 0 degrees F or below. If it's still too soft to spin, give it another 4-6 hours before trying again.

How long can I store the finished gelato after spinning?

Eat it right away for the best texture, but you can cover and freeze the pint again for up to a week. Just re-spin it before serving to restore the creamy consistency.

What if I don't have Amarena cherries in syrup?

Use canned or jarred tart cherries packed in syrup, or frozen pitted cherries thawed with their juices. You'll want about the same amount of fruit and 1/2 cup of syrup to match the original recipe's flavor and texture.

Nutrition

Per serving · makes about 2 servings · estimated