The homemade ice cream experiment many of us learned in grade school seemed revolutionary at the time, but there are far superior ways to make a creamy and delicious batch of ice cream at home these days.

In an effort to spare your fingers from turning blue and numb after vigorously shaking resealable bags full of cream, sugar, and ice cubes, let us clue you in on a much more convenient solution: the Ninja CREAMi Deluxe 11-in-1 Ice Cream & Frozen Treat Maker, the TikTok viral ice cream maker that can turn two simple ingredients into a luscious creamy dessert. Need some cold, hard proof? Check out this two-ingredient mango sorbet recipe by @unboundwellness that’s garnered over 2.5 million views on TikTok to date.

Even though using this nifty gadget really is that easy, we caught up with Kaitlyn Hebert Beauchemin, the senior vice president of global marketing at Ninja, who shared five tips on how to make the CREAMi-est ice cream at home ever. Plus, we’ve gathered three delicious, high-protein Ninja CREAMi recipes to try immediately.

How it works

Making ice cream from scratch using this machine calls for four simple steps: Filling the pint containers with the homemade ice cream batter of your choice, freezing it for 24 hours, then blending until smooth, before adding (optional) mix-ins. Even better? The Deluxe 11-in-1 machine isn’t limited to just making ultra-smooth batches of ice cream. It can also whip together  Italian ice, sorbet, gelato, slushies, frozen yogurt, and frozen drinks from the convenience of your home.

Ninja NC501 CREAMi Deluxe 11-in-1 Ice Cream & Frozen Treat Maker — $219.00

5 tips for operating the Ninja CREAMi like a pro

1. Ensure the batter is frozen thoroughly

For best results, Beauchemin suggests freezing the pint of ice cream batter for a minimum of 24 hours before processing it. “Your base needs to reach a consistent cold temperature,” Beauchemin explains. Although you may be tempted to skip this step, you’ll miss out on the creamiest results if it isn’t fully frozen.

2. Use the re-spin feature for extra smoothness

According to Beauchemin, the re-spin feature on the CREAMi is your BFF. “If the consistency needs tweaking and texture isn’t quite right, that’s okay, use the ‘re-spin’ button to get your desired texture,” she says. The re-spin button easily allows for a quick spin of the blades to further smooth out any remaining lumps in the batter.

3. Add an extra splash of liquid

If re-spinning the pint doesn’t immediately yield your desired results, Beauchemin suggests adding an extra splash of liquid to help emulsify the ingredients. “If you would like a creamier consistency, add two to four tablespoons of milk, and select the ‘re-spin’ button,” she says. And, for an even thicker consistency, Beauchemin suggests processing your ice cream right from the freezer (don’t let it linger on the counter), making sure the base has been frozen for at least 24 hours in the coldest part of your freezer.

4. Follow this foolproof formula

According to Beauchemin, the ideal “formula” for preparing the best batches of frozen desserts using this equipment is: 3 parts liquid to 1 part frozen fruit or 1/2 cup liquid + 2 tablespoons protein powder + 1/4 cup frozen fruit. Keep in mind that each recipe will slightly vary depending on the ingredients, so you may need to adjust the ratios as you go. But perfecting the recipe is part of the fun, and will require some expert taste testing.

5. Have fun and get creative

Getting creative with your mix-ins is one of the best ways to have a lot of fun with your new ice cream-making machine. “Have fun! One of the greatest things about the Ninja CREAMi is the ability to customize your frozen treats with different mix-ins and toppings,” Beauchemin says. For best results, she recommends using a spoon to create a small well (about 1 ½-inch-wide) that reaches the bottom of the pint after the base has been fully processed.

Then, Beauchemin says it’s safe to fill the container jammed packed with the toppings of your choice. “It’s okay for the treats to rise above the ‘max fill’ line, as long as the outer bowl lid can still comfortably close over the pint to process,” she says. Once the mix-ins are ready to go, she says use the “mix-in” feature to distribute the goods evenly throughout the pint. “Hard mix-ins will remain intact, while soft mix-ins will get broken down. We recommend using larger pieces for soft ingredients. Meanwhile, we don’t recommend fresh fruit, sauces, or spreads as mix-ins,” she says.

3 delicious Ninja CREAMi recipes to make today

1. High-protein cookies and cream ice cream

In a TikTok video by @myproteinpantry, Jaycee shares how to prepare a seven-ingredient cookies and cream ice cream featuring high-protein ingredients such as cottage cheese, protein powder, and almond milk. Consider this simple dessert a riff on the viral cottage cheese ice cream. Plus, it contains a whopping 39 grams of protein.

2. Two-ingredient mango sorbet

Dare we say, after taking one look at @unboundwellness’s two-ingredient mango sorbet you’ll be sold on this ice cream machine, too. To make this sorbet, all you need are sliced mangos and orange juice that’s frozen in the pint container until solid and then blended into the creamiest sorbet of your dreams. Want to up the protein intake? Add protein-packed yogurt into the mix, as demonstrated in this TikTok video by @jamieblaxall, and turn it into a refreshing orange creamsicle dessert.

3. Strawberries and cream ice cream

In a TikTok video by @itsbaileymarshall, Bailey Marshall shares how to make light and refreshing berries and cream ice cream using fresh strawberries, monk fruit sweetener, Greek yogurt (hi, protein!), and almond milk (or the milk of your choice). Don’t have fresh strawberries on hand? Opt for frozen ones instead.