Ninja Creami Black Licorice Ice Cream

If you’re a fan of bold flavors, get ready — this Ninja CREAMi Black Licorice Ice Cream is about to be your new obsession. It’s creamy, nostalgic, and way more addictive than you’d expect!

Two scoops of creamy black licorice ice cream in a small bowl, showcasing its rich, dark color and smooth texture.

A Little Backstory

Not gonna lie, it took me hours to figure out where I’d tasted that familiar licorice flavor before.
And then it clicked... Italian sausage. (Weird, right?)
But don’t worry — this ice cream doesn’t taste like sausage. That would be super strange for dessert. 😅

Instead, it’s sweet, creamy, and gives just a hint of that anise flavor — but without savory sausage vibes. Pinky promise.

The idea actually hit me while wandering around Trader Joe’s (because honestly, when don’t we leave there inspired?). I spotted their soft black licorice twists, and next thing you know, I was blending candy into a Ninja Creami pint like a mad scientist. Zero regrets.

Jump to:

A Little Backstory
Why You'll Love This?
So… What Does Black Licorice Even Taste Like?
🛒Ingredients You’ll Need
Substitution and Additions
How to Make Black Licorice Ice Cream?
Choosing Your Ice Cream Base
👪How Much Does It Make?
🌀Tools You’ll Need
Pro Tips for Success
🤔 Your Questions, Answered!
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Ninja Creami Black Licorice Ice Cream

Why You'll Love This?

Real ingredients — no gums, no pudding mix, no weird thickeners.
Bold and nostalgic flavor that surprises everyone (in a good way).
Super creamy texture, thanks to cottage cheese + half-and-half.
A genius way to use up those Trader Joe’s black licorice twists.
Spins like a dream in the Ninja CREAMi Deluxe.

So… What Does Black Licorice Even Taste Like?

Imagine fennel or anise with a sweet, herbal twist.

Some folks say it tastes like old-school candy, others think it’s “earthy” or even “medicinal.” (It’s one of those love it or hate it flavors, for sure.)
But when you swirl it into a creamy ice cream? Total magic.

A pack of Trader Joe's black soft licorice twists to be used for ice cream.

🛒Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s the quick rundown — scroll to the recipe card for all the details!

Ingredients for Black Licorice Ice Cream neatly arranged on a baking tray, each labeled for easy identification.

Half and Half – Creamy but not heavy — perfect balance for ice cream.
Soft Black Licorice Twists (Trader Joe’s) – Sweet, chewy, and melts into the base beautifully.
Granulated Sugar – Just enough to mellow out the licorice intensity.
Cottage Cheese – Adds creaminess and protein (and you won't even notice it’s there!).
Black Licorice Flavor (LorAnn) – A few drops go a long way to amp up the licorice vibe.

Substitution and Additions

Want to switch it up? Totally doable!

No half-and-half? Use equal parts heavy cream + whole milk.
No cottage cheese? Sub in plain Greek yogurt or even cream cheese.

How to Make Black Licorice Ice Cream?

Making black licorice ice cream with the Ninja CREAMi is a breeze!

Black licorice ice cream mixture ready to be frozen.

Blend It: Throw everything into a high-powered blender or food processor. Blend until super smooth.

Frozen black licorice ice cream mixture ready for spinning in Ninja Creami.

Freeze It: Pour the mix into a Ninja Creami pint container. Freeze it on a flat surface for at least 24 hours.

Creamy black licorice ice cream showcasing its rich, dark color and smooth texture.

Spin It: Pop it into your Ninja CREAMi Deluxe and use the “Ice Cream” setting. If it’s crumbly after the first spin, just hit “Re-Spin” until it's creamy!

Scoop of creamy black licorice ice cream showcasing its rich, dark color and smooth texture.

Scoop & Enjoy:
Grab a spoon and dive into that bold, creamy goodness.

Choosing Your Ice Cream Base

This black licorice ice cream starts with a vanilla base, but you can customize it depending on your dietary needs:

Classic Vanilla Ice Cream Base – Perfect for a traditional creamy texture.
High-Protein Vanilla Ice Cream – If you want a boost of protein, this base keeps it rich while adding extra nutrition.
Low-Calorie Vanilla Ice Cream – A lighter option for those watching their calories but still craving a sweet treat.
Keto Vanilla Ice Cream – A sugar-free, low-carb alternative that works perfectly for a keto-friendly treat.

Whichever base you choose, the black licorice flavor blends seamlessly, making it a fun and unexpected twist on a classic dessert.

👪How Much Does It Make?

This recipe makes about 4 servings — just right for sharing (or not sharing... totally your call).

🌀Tools You’ll Need

Blender: You’ll need some muscle to blend that licorice!
Ninja CREAMi Deluxe 11-in-1 Ice Cream & Frozen Treat Maker: The MVP of this whole operation.
Ninja Creami Pint Container: Freeze it flat for the best spin results!

Pro Tips for Success

Use a high-powered blender — no chunks allowed.
Chop licorice twists into small pieces before blending (save your blender some struggle).
Taste your base before freezing — it should be sweet and smell amazing.
Flatten the pint’s top surface before freezing so it spins smoother later.
Leftovers? Re-spin or microwave on the "Ice Cream" setting for a few seconds!

🤔 Your Questions, Answered!

What does black licorice do to your body?

In large amounts, it can affect blood pressure — but a scoop or two of this ice cream? Totally fine!

Why does no one like black licorice?

It’s definitely a love-it-or-hate-it flavor! Some adore its herbal vibe, others… not so much.

Who should avoid black licorice?

If you have high blood pressure or are on certain meds, you’ll want to keep portions small — but again, we’re using it moderately here.

Is black licorice good for you?

Believe it or not, it has some antioxidant perks! (Still, moderation is key.)

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