Love ube? Love cheese? Then you're in for a treat! This Ninja Creami Ube Cheese Ice Cream brings together two beloved Filipino flavors in one stunning purple scoop, the earthy sweetness of purple yam meets the salty, savory richness of cheese.
I know what you're thinking: cheese in ice cream? If you didn't grow up in the Philippines, this might sound strange. But trust me - the sweet-salty combination is absolutely addictive.
This recipe is based on my Classic Ube Ice Cream, simplified for the Ninja Creami but just as delicious. If you love Trader Joe's Ube Ice Cream, this version is cleaner and tastier, skip the gums and stabilizers and make it yourself with real ingredients.
Looking for more ube recipes? Check out my Ube Coconut Ice Cream or Maple Ube Latte Ice Cream.
Here's some context: cheese ice cream (queso) has been a Filipino staple since cheddar cheese was imported after World War II. Today, you'll find sorbeteros (street ice cream vendors) pushing colorful carts through neighborhoods, selling scoops of queso ice cream, often paired with ube to delighted kids and nostalgic adults alike. The combination of ube queso is one of the most beloved Filipino ice cream pairings.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- What is Ube Cheese Ice Cream?
- 🛒Ingredients You'll Need
- Substitution and Additions
- How to Make Ube Cheese Ice Cream
- 🍒Fun Mix-Ins and Topping Ideas
- Flavor Variations to Try
- How to Store Leftovers
- 👪Serving Size
- 🌀Tools You’ll Need
- Tips for Success
- Recipe FAQs
- More Creative Ice Cream Flavors
- Timeless Ice Cream Flavors
- Did you try this recipe?
- Ninja Creami Ube Cheese Ice Cream
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- No Pudding Mix or Gums – Just real, simple ingredients you can actually pronounce
- Sweet Meets Salty – The cheese adds an irresistible savory contrast to the sweet ube
- Cottage Cheese Secret – High-protein creaminess without weird stabilizers
- Naturally Stunning – That gorgeous purple color comes from real ube extract
- Quick & Easy – Blend, freeze, spin, mix in cheese - done!
- Kid & Adult Approved – This flavor crosses generational lines
- Better Than Trader Joe's – Homemade with clean ingredients, no artificial stuff
- Nostalgic Treat – Tastes like Filipino childhood in ice cream form
What is Ube Cheese Ice Cream?
Ube cheese ice cream is a sweet and salty Filipino treat. It’s made with purple yam and cheese for a unique flavor.
Ube has a naturally nutty, vanilla-like taste and vibrant color. The cheese adds a savory contrast, making it irresistible. If you’re unsure about cheese in ice cream, leap - you won’t regret it!
🛒Ingredients You'll Need
- Half and half – Creates a rich and creamy base.
- Coconut milk – Adds a slight tropical flavor.
- Cottage cheese – A high-protein secret ingredient for extra creaminess.
- Condensed milk – Sweetens and enhances the texture.
- Vanilla bean paste – Gives depth to the flavor.
- Ube extract – The star ingredient for flavor and color.
- Pasteurized processed cheese – Classic Filipino choice, but cheddar or American cheese works too!
See recipe card for quantities.
Substitution and Additions
- Coconut milk → Heavy cream for extra richness.
- Cottage cheese → Greek yogurt for a tangy twist.
- Condensed milk → Honey or maple syrup for a refined sugar-free option.
- Cheese → None for a classic ube ice cream.
How to Make Ube Cheese Ice Cream
- Blend all ingredients until smooth.
- Pour the mixture into a Ninja Creami pint container and freeze for 24 hours.
- Freeze the chopped cheese separately while the base freezes.
- Insert the frozen pint into the Ninja Creami and select the "Ice Cream" function.
- If the texture is crumbly, add 1–2 tablespoons of milk and respin.
- Mix in the chopped cheese and enjoy your homemade Ube Cheese Ice Cream!
🍒Fun Mix-Ins and Topping Ideas
- 🍪Oreo Crumbles: Add crushed Oreos for a cookies-and-cream twist.
- 🥥 Toasted Coconut Flakes: Sprinkle on top for a crunchy, tropical vibe.
- 🍯 Ube Halaya Swirl: Swirl in ube jam for an extra layer of flavor.
- 🍫 Chocolate Chips: Add mini chocolate chips for a sweet surprise.
Flavor Variations to Try
- Ube Oreo – Mix in crushed Oreos for a cookies-and-cream twist.
- Ube Macapuno – Add coconut strips for extra chewiness.
- Ube Salted Caramel – Drizzle caramel and sprinkle sea salt.
- Ube Banana – Blend in ripe banana for natural sweetness.
- Ube Leche Flan – Swirl in pieces of flan for extra indulgence.
- Ube Pumpkin Spice – Add a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg.
How to Store Leftovers
Store leftovers in a flattened layer to make re-spinning easier. This prevents damaging the Ninja Creami blade and ensures a smooth texture.
👪Serving Size
This recipe is designed for the Ninja Creami Deluxe, making 4 generous servings.
🌀Tools You’ll Need
- Blender: Makes mixing ingredients effortless.
- Ninja CREAMi Deluxe 11-in-1 Ice Cream & Frozen Treat Maker: The star of the show, perfect for creating creamy, smooth ice cream.
- Ninja Creami Pint Container: The pint container is essential for freezing and churning your ice cream mix.
Tips for Success
- If the ice cream is crumbly, add 1-2 tablespoon of milk and respin.
- Use a high-quality ube extract for the best flavor. If available, add ube halaya too!
- Freeze the chopped cheese while the base if freezing too!
- Blend the mixture well to avoid graininess.
- Experiment with mix-ins for unique flavors!
Recipe FAQs
Trader Joe’s version contains gums and stabilizers.
It’s sweet, nutty, and creamy—like vanilla meets toasted marshmallow.
Ube is Filipino! It’s a staple in Filipino desserts, especially ice cream.
More Creative Ice Cream Flavors
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Did you try this recipe?
Share how it turned out in the comments below, and if you loved it, share it on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram.
Thank you! - Rose
Ninja Creami Ube Cheese Ice Cream
Equipment
- 1 Ninja Creami Deluxe
- 1 Blender
- 24 oz Ninja Creami Pint Container
Ingredients
- 1 cup Half and half
- ¾ cup Unsweetened Coconut milk canned
- ½ cup Cottage cheese
- ½ cup Condensed milk better than using white sugar
- 1 teaspoon Ube extract
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla bean paste
- ½ cup Pasturized Processed Cheese or american/ cheddar cheese chopped
Instructions
- Blend all ingredients until smooth except cheese1 cup Half and half, ¾ cup Unsweetened Coconut milk, ½ cup Cottage cheese, ½ cup Condensed milk, 1 teaspoon Ube extract, 1 teaspoon Vanilla bean paste
- Pour the mixture into a Ninja Creami pint container and freeze for 24 hours.
- Freeze the chopped cheese separately while the base freezes.
- Insert the frozen pint into the Ninja Creami and select the "Ice Cream" function.
- If the texture is crumbly, add 1–2 tablespoons of milk and respin.
- Mix in the chopped cheese and enjoy your homemade Ube Cheese Ice Cream!½ cup Pasturized Processed Cheese or american/ cheddar cheese
Notes
- If the ice cream is crumbly, add 1-2 tablespoon of milk and respin.
- Use a high-quality ube extract for the best flavor. If available, add ube halaya too!
- Freeze the chopped cheese while the base if freezing too!
- Blend the mixture well to avoid graininess.
- Experiment with mix-ins for unique flavors!
Rose says
Such a fun and unique flavor! Let me know if you try it!
Steph Kowalkowski says
this came out exceptionally well! my first recipe on my creami 😍
I added halo halo mix!
Rose Sioson says
Thank you so much for leaving a comment Steph!😍 I’m so happy it turned out exceptionally well as your first Creami recipe, that makes my day.