If you’ve ever wished your favorite Yakult drink came in ice cream form, this Yakult Ice Cream is it. It’s got that same creamy texture as my Basic Vanilla and the refreshing tang of my Froyo recipe — smooth, scoopable, and just sweet enough to make everyone happy.
I grew up drinking Yakult, so it’s one of those nostalgic flavors I still love — and now my kids can’t get enough of it too.
Because I’m a regular Costco shopper, I usually grab the big pack of Cool+, their Yakult-style probiotic drink. After restocking those tiny bottles week after week, I figured, why not turn it into real ice cream instead of freezing the bottles?
A few test spins later, this Ninja Creami Yakult Ice Cream was born. It's a simple 3-ingredient ice cream that tastes just like the drink we all grew up with, only creamier, smoother, and way more fun to eat by the scoop.
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Why You'll Love This?
- Made with real Yakult or Cool+ — no artificial flavoring needed
- Naturally tangy, sweet, and refreshing
- Kid-approved (and mom-approved for how easy it is)
- No gums, pudding mixes, or protein powders
- Freezes beautifully and stays creamy after respinning
🛒Ingredients
This is just an overview—jump down to the full recipe card for exact amounts and detailed instructions!
- Cool+ probiotic drink – my go-to Costco version of Yakult with that same sweet-tangy flavor
- Half & half– adds richness and balances out the tartness
- Sweetened condensed milk – makes the texture silky smooth and adds just the right sweetness
- Lemon juice – brightens the flavor and keeps it refreshing
Substitution and Additions
- Yakult: You can use Cool+ (Costco’s Yakult-style probiotic drink) or any similar cultured milk drink. The flavor stays tangy and sweet.
- Sweetener: Swap sweetened condensed milk for allulose or monk fruit syrup if you want a lower-sugar version.
- Base dairy: Cottage cheese gives a thicker, protein-rich texture, while half-and-half keeps it light and creamy. Use what you have!
Add-Ins:
- Strawberries or mangoes: Blend a few pieces for fruity Yakult vibes.
- Graham crumbs: Sprinkle some before freezing for a frozen “cheesecake” feel.
- Mini yogurt bites: Mix in crushed frozen yogurt drops after respin for texture.
How to Make Yakult Ice Cream
- Blend the base: Pour the Cool+, half & half, sweetened condensed milk, and lemon juice into the pint container.
- Freeze Flat: Mix until well combined — it should look creamy, not frothy. Cover and freeze flat for at least 24 hours.
- Spin it: Once it’s frozen solid, install the pint into your Ninja Creami bowl and lock it in. Process on the Lite Ice Cream setting. If the texture looks crumbly or icy after the first spin, hit Respin until smooth and creamy.
- Serve and enjoy: Scoop right away for soft-serve texture, or refreeze for 20–30 minutes if you like it firmer.
Flavor Variations to Try
- Yakult Strawberry Ice Cream: Add a few frozen strawberries before blending.
- Yakult Mango Creami: Blend in mango purée or a splash of mango nectar.
- Yakult Yogurt Twist: Add 2 tablespoons of plain Greek yogurt for extra tang and protein.
- Cool+ Creami Pops: Pour the blended base into popsicle molds instead of pints for an easy handheld version.
👪Serving Size
This recipe is made for the Ninja CREAMi Deluxe, yielding 4 servings per pint.
🌀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.
Storage
Store leftovers in the freezer in an airtight container. For the creamiest texture later, let it soften for 5–10 minutes or respin with a splash of half & half before serving again.
🤔 Your Questions, Answered!
It usually means your freezer isn’t cold enough (keep it at 0°F) or you skipped the full 24-hour freeze. A quick respin with a tablespoon of half & half fixes it fast.
Not fully — Yakult and condensed milk both contain sugar, but you can use sugar-free condensed milk alternatives or mix with unsweetened yogurt for balance.
More Ninja Creami Ice Creams with 4 Ingredients or Less
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Want more flavors that actually work?
Grab your copy of The No-Fail Ninja Creami Cookbook — 25 tested recipes made with real ingredients, no gums, and no guesswork.
Ninja Creami Yakult Ice Cream
Equipment
- 1 Ninja Creami XL
- 1 Ninja Creami Pint Container
Ingredients
- 4 bottles Yakult or Cool+ probiotic drink
- 1 cup half & half
- ½ cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1-2 teaspoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Blend the base: Pour the Yakult, half & half, sweetened condensed milk, and lemon juice into a blender. Blend until smooth and fully combined.
- Freeze flat: Pour the mixture into your Ninja Creami pint, stopping just below the max fill line. Flatten the top with a spatula, cover, and freeze flat for at least 24 hours at 0°F (–18°C) or colder.
- Spin it: Remove the pint from the freezer, install it into the Ninja Creami bowl, and process on Lite Ice Cream mode.
- Respin if needed: If the texture looks crumbly after the first spin, hit Respin until smooth and creamy.
- Serve: Scoop right away for a soft-serve texture, or refreeze 15–30 minutes for a firmer ice cream.
Notes
- Use real Yakult or Cool+ for that authentic tangy flavor.
- Flatten the top before freezing so it spins evenly.
- Don’t skip the lemon juice — it helps balance the sweetness and keeps the flavor bright.
- If you like it less sweet, reduce the condensed milk slightly or add a spoon of plain yogurt to mellow it out.
Rose says
Hope you love this Yakult Ice Cream! Leave a quick rating if you try it