Sweet Red Cherry Balsamic Crunch

Juicy, Joyfully Grown Sweet Red Cherries are the star of this recipe, bringing naturally sweet, vibrant flavor to every spoonful. Folded into a rich, creamy ice cream base twice—once after blending for bursts of fruit throughout and again before spinning for fresh cherry texture. They pair beautifully with tangy balsamic glaze and crunchy cocoa nibs. The result is a sophisticated frozen treat that perfectly balances sweet, tart, creamy, and crunchy in every bite.

Makes 2 Ninja Creami Deluxe Pints

Ingredients

2 cups Joyfully Grown Sweet Red Cherries, pitted
1½ cups 2% or whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
⅔ cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 tablespoons balsamic glaze (1 tablespoon per pint)
4 tablespoons cocoa nibs (2 tablespoons per pint)

Instructions

Pit the cherries and divide them into two equal portions (1 cup each). Roughly chop both portions and set one aside for later.
In a blender, combine the milk, heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla extract. Blend until smooth and the sugar is completely dissolved.
Divide the mixture evenly between two Ninja Creami Deluxe pint containers. Drop in ½ cup of the chopped Joyfully Grown Sweet Red Cherries into each pint jar. (Adding the cherries after blending keeps delicious pieces of fruit throughout the ice cream.)
Do not fill past the MAX FILL line. Secure the lids and freeze on a level surface for 24 hours.
When ready to process, remove one pint from the freezer. Add ½ cup of the remaining chopped cherries directly to the frozen pint before processing.
Install the pint into the Ninja Creami Deluxe and process using the Ice Cream function.
Create a well in the center of the pint. Add:
1. 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze
2. 2 tablespoons cocoa nibs
Process using the Mix-In function.
For an extra creamy texture, run one final Re-Spin (or Remix, depending on your preferred Ninja Creami Deluxe setting).
Repeat Steps 5–10 with the second pint.
Enjoy immediately for a soft-serve consistency or freeze for 30-60 minutes for a firmer scoop.