Lemon Cheesecake Milkshake

Directions

1. 1In a bowl, whisk together the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar until smooth. Add the whole milk, heavy cream, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract, then whisk until fully combined and no lumps remain.
2. 2Pour the base into your Ninja Creami pint container, filling it to the max fill line. Place the lid on the pint and freeze on a flat, level surface for 24 hours.
3. 3Remove the pint from the freezer and let it sit on the counter for 5 minutes. Install the pint into the Ninja Creami outer bowl, lock it into the machine, and run the MILKSHAKE preset.
4. 4If the result appears crumbly or powdery after the first spin, add a small splash of whole milk to the pint and run the MILKSHAKE preset a second time until smooth and creamy.
5. 5Pour into a tall glass and top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of graham cracker crumbs for a classic cheesecake finish.

Tips

• Freeze your pint completely solid for at least 16-24 hours so the Creami can shave it into a smooth, creamy texture rather than a crumbly mess.
• If your result comes out powdery or icy after spinning, add a small splash of heavy cream or whole milk and run the spin cycle again to get that rich mouthfeel.
• Let the pint sit at room temperature for 2-3 minutes before inserting into the Creami if it's rock hard and difficult to fit, this makes insertion much easier.

Variations

• Swap the fresh lemon juice and zest for lime or even grapefruit juice and zest to change the citrus flavor profile while keeping the creamy base the same.
• Make a lighter version by replacing half the heavy cream with Greek yogurt, which adds tang and reduces richness while still freezing well in the Creami.

FAQ

Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh?

You can, but fresh lemon juice tastes noticeably brighter and less processed in the final shake. If you do use bottled, reduce the amount slightly since bottled can be more concentrated.

Why did my pint freeze unevenly or come out icy when I spun it?

Uneven freezing usually happens if your freezer temperature is inconsistent or the pint wasn't flat when you froze it. Make sure it's lying perfectly flat and freeze for the full 16-24 hours in a level spot.

Can I make this without cream cheese to reduce the tang?

You can reduce the cream cheese to 2 ounces instead of 4, but it changes the texture and richness considerably. The cream cheese is what gives it that dense, creamy body when the Creami spins it.

How long can I store the frozen pint before spinning it?

A frozen pint keeps well for up to 2 weeks in a standard freezer without major quality loss. After that, ice crystals can form and affect texture, so it's best to spin and enjoy within a week or two of freezing.

Nutrition

Per serving · makes about 2 servings · estimated