Perks and Rec: The Ninja Creami is finally back in stock

One of my favorite childhood memories is when my mom would break out this big, clunky, vintage-looking bucket to make homemade ice cream. Sure, it took forever to make. But when it was done, it really hit the spot. Now that I'm older, I still want that homemade feeling, but with more variety. Plus, I don’t think I have the patience to wait for it like I did back then.     

Right now, everyone is talking about the Ninja Creami, which our testers ranked as our favorite ice cream maker of the year. It has the ability to make everything from protein-packed ice cream to McDonald's-style McFlurries—and make it fast. Although it's been pretty hard to get your hands on a Ninja Creami lately, it’s back in stock right now—and it’s on sale.   

If you’re looking for a different kind of ice cream maker, there are some great alternatives out there that we've tested and recommend. The Ninja Foodi Smoothie Maker is great at blending frozen fruit into a creamy, tasty treat. My personal favorite, the Cuisinart ICE-21, is affordable, user-friendly and has an open top which allows me to easily incorporate add-ins like chocolate chips or fruit. If you want to splurge a little and have counter space to spare, then you should check out the Breville Smart Scoop—you won't have to wait very long for dessert with this beast of a machine. 

Happy eating,    

— Erick Collier, Audience Engagement Manager  

Reviewed, part of the USA Today Network