High-Protein Little Debbie Strawberry Shortcake Ninja Creami
This High-Protein Little Debbie Strawberry Shortcake Ninja Creami delivers creamy strawberry shortcake flavor using just five simple ingredients. The entire base has 252 calories and 41 grams of protein. For an extra treat, crumble half a Little Debbie Strawberry Shortcake Roll over the finished pint.
Servings: 1 pint
Calories: 252kcal
Cost: $3.05
Equipment
- 1 Ninja Creami
- 1 Ninja Creami Pint
- 1 Immersion Blender recommended for easy blending; a regular blender, handheld milk frother, or shaker cup can also work.
Ingredients
- 355 g Kroger Carbmaster Fat Free Milk 1½ cups; Fairlife Fat Free Ultra-Filtered Milk can be substituted.
- 34 g RYSE Little Debbie Strawberry Shortcake Rolls Protein Powder 1 scoop
- 12 g Monk Fruit In The Raw 1 tbsp; another zero-calorie granulated sweetener can be substituted
- 1 g Xanthan Gum About ¼ tsp
- 1 g Salt About ¼ tsp
Optional topping
- ½ roll Little Debbie Strawberry Shortcake Roll Copy Crumble over the finished pint after processing.
Instructions
- Blend the base: Add the milk, protein powder, sweetener, xanthan gum, and salt to the Ninja Creami pint. Use an immersion blender to blend for about 30–60 seconds, until the ingredients are fully combined and no clumps remain. A regular blender, handheld milk frother, or shaker cup can also work.
- Freeze: Make sure the liquid mixture is below the MAX FILL line. Place the pint on a level surface and freeze for at least 24 hours. Freeze with the lid removed to help prevent a bump from forming.
- Prepare to spin: Remove the pint from the freezer and make sure the frozen surface is level, with no raised bump. Do not process a pint with a significantly uneven frozen surface. If necessary, allow the mixture to soften or melt, smooth it out, and refreeze it on a level surface until completely solid. Run hot water over the outside of the pint for about 1 minute or let it sit on the counter for about 15 minutes.
- Spin: Process using the Lite Ice Cream setting.
- Assess the texture: After the Lite Ice Cream cycle, check the texture. If it still needs significant processing, run a Re-Spin. If it’s already close to the texture you like, you can skip the Re-Spin and run the Mix-In cycle instead, whether or not you’re actually adding mix-ins.
- Add mix-ins or enjoy: Enjoy the pint as-is, add your preferred mix-ins, or crumble half a Little Debbie Strawberry Shortcake Roll over the finished pint as an optional topping.
Notes
Nutrition per pint: 252 calories | 41 g protein | 14 g carbs | 2 g fat
Nutrition with optional topping: Adding half a Little Debbie Strawberry Shortcake Roll brings the entire finished pint to approximately 367 calories, 42 grams of protein, 35 grams of carbs, and 6 grams of fat. The estimated ingredient cost is $3.05 for the base or $3.30 with the optional topping.
Nutrition & cost: Nutrition is calculated for the entire pint using the specific ingredients listed. Ingredient costs are estimates based on representative prices. Substitutions may change both nutrition and cost, and actual prices will vary by store and location.
Milk: I use Kroger Carbmaster Fat Free Milk for its high protein content and low calories. Fairlife Fat Free Ultra-Filtered Milk can be substituted 1:1. Nutrition and cost will vary depending on the milk used.
Protein powder: I use RYSE Little Debbie Strawberry Shortcake Rolls Protein Powder for its distinctive strawberry shortcake flavor and high protein content. This recipe was developed using this specific protein powder. Other strawberry-flavored protein powders can be substituted, but they may change the flavor, sweetness, texture, nutrition, and cost. Whey/casein blends and whey-only powders may also process differently.
Sweetener: I use 12 grams of Monk Fruit In The Raw. Another zero-calorie granulated sweetener can be substituted, although sweetness may vary between products.
Xanthan gum: Xanthan gum helps thicken the base and create a smoother, creamier texture after processing. I use 1 gram, or about ¼ teaspoon.
Optional topping: Crumble half a Little Debbie Strawberry Shortcake Roll over the finished pint after processing. This adds approximately 115 calories, 0.5 grams of protein, 20.5 grams of carbs, 3.5 grams of fat, and $0.25 in estimated ingredient cost. Adding it after processing helps preserve the cake's texture.
Salt: A small amount of salt helps balance the sweetness and bring out the strawberry shortcake flavor. I use 1 gram, or about ¼ teaspoon, as a consistent starting point. You can adjust the amount to taste.
Blending: I recommend an immersion blender because it is quick, easy to clean, and helps combine the ingredients evenly. A regular blender, handheld milk frother, or shaker cup can also work. Make sure the protein powder, sweetener, and xanthan gum are fully combined and no clumps remain before freezing.
Max fill: Make sure the blended mixture stays below the MAX FILL line before freezing. A small amount of foam above the line is okay, provided the actual liquid mixture stays below it once the foam settles. If the mixture exceeds the line, reduce the ingredient amounts proportionally before freezing.
Freezing: Freeze time can vary depending on your freezer temperature, but I recommend freezing the pint for 24 hours to be safe and help ensure it is fully frozen before processing. Freeze the pint on a level surface. Before processing, make sure the frozen surface is level and does not have a raised bump. Do not process a pint with a significantly uneven frozen surface.
Processing: If the ice cream is especially dry or powdery after the first spin, try a Re-Spin before adding liquid. If it still needs additional moisture, add a small splash of water before another Re-Spin. Avoid adding too much liquid at once, as it can make the finished ice cream softer than intended.
Icy sides: A thin icy layer around the sides of the pint after the first spin is normal because the blade does not reach the very edge of the container. Avoid scraping the icy sides into the creamy center before running another cycle. Once you're finished processing, you can push the icy layer toward the bottom so it softens while you eat from the top. Another option is to enjoy the creamy center first and let the icy sides soften as you eat.
Leftovers: If you do not finish the entire pint, smooth the remaining ice cream into a level surface, replace the lid, and return it to the freezer. When you're ready to enjoy the leftovers, allow them to soften slightly or process them again using the appropriate setting for your Ninja Creami model if needed. Keep in mind that additional processing may further break down any mix-ins.
Nutrition
Calories: 252kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 2g