Gingerbread Custard Shake
By Marty Cole Β· March 28, 2026
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I made this Gingerbread Custard Shake in the Ninja Slushi for our family Christmas Eve, and it disappeared before the actual dessert came out. Heavy cream and egg yolks make it a real frozen custard, thick and silky, not a watery shake, and the brown sugar syrup with cinnamon makes the whole kitchen smell like a gingerbread house. My mother-in-law, who critiques everything, asked for the recipe, which never happens. Run it on MILKSHAKE. One real tip: cook your custard base and chill it fully before it goes in, or the egg yolks won't set up right and you'll lose that scoopable texture.
Your machine size
Slushi 64 oz (Standard) Β· quantities scaled Γ1
π‘ Serve within 30 minutes
High-fat dairy can churn into butter under long agitation. Dispense and enjoy soon after it's ready.
Ingredients
- Heavy Whipping Cream10 oz
- Whole Milk3 oz
- Brown Sugar Simple Syrup3 oz
- Egg Yolks2 yolks
- Ground Cinnamon1 tsp
- Ground Ginger0.5 tsp
- Ground Nutmeg0.33 tsp
- Vanilla Extract0.5 tsp
- Table Salt0.25 tsp
Makes ~22 oz
Directions
- 1Whisk the 2 egg yolks and the brown sugar simple syrup in a mixing bowl until smooth.
- 2In a saucepan, combine heavy cream, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Heat until barely simmering.
- 3Temper the eggs by slowly whisking 5 to 6 tablespoons of the hot cream into the egg mixture.
- 4Pour the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan and cook on low heat until the custard coats the back of a spoon.
- 5Remove from heat, then whisk in the whole milk, vanilla extract, and salt. Refrigerate until fully chilled.
- 6Pour the cold custard into the machine, select MILKSHAKE, increase coldness to level 10, and run for 25 minutes.
Tips
- Pour your liquid base into the Slushi bowl at room temperature, no need to chill it first, and let the machine do the work for 20 to 60 minutes depending on your kitchen's temperature.
- If your shake turns out too thin, it likely churned for less time than needed; run it for another 10 to 15 minutes and check the consistency before scooping.
- Stir the base well before pouring to make sure the brown sugar simple syrup, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg are evenly distributed throughout the cream and milk mixture.
Variations
- Swap the brown sugar simple syrup for maple syrup and add a pinch of cloves for a deeper spiced flavor that works well in fall and winter.
- Use half and half instead of whole milk to make a richer, creamier shake, or use 2% milk if you want it lighter and less heavy.
FAQ
- Can I use pasteurized liquid egg yolk product instead of raw yolks?
- Yes, pasteurized liquid eggs work fine and eliminate any food safety concerns, though the flavor will be slightly less rich. Use about 3 tablespoons of pasteurized liquid egg yolk as a substitute for two raw yolks.
- What do I do if the shake won't freeze or scoop after an hour?
- Check that your Slushi machine's bowl is properly frozen before you start; a thawed or warm bowl will prevent the liquid from setting. If the bowl is cold, your base may have too much liquid or not enough sugar, so try adding a tablespoon more brown sugar simple syrup next time.
- How long can I store the finished shake in the machine?
- The shake will keep well scooped and stored in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 days, though it's best enjoyed fresh. If you leave it in the Slushi machine, it will gradually separate and refreeze unevenly after a few hours.
- Can I make this shake lighter or less rich?
- Yes, replace some of the heavy whipping cream with whole milk or use half and half instead for a thinner base. The shake will churn faster and have a lighter texture, though it won't be quite as creamy.
Nutrition
Per serving Β· makes about 2 servings Β· estimated
Ratings & Reviews
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Meet Marty Cole
I'm a home cook who got a little obsessed with the Ninja Slushi and Creami. I test every recipe in my own kitchen on a real machine, dial in the texture, and only post the ones my family actually finishes.
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