Made with microbiome-loving Lifeway Kefir, this Pumpkin Ice Cream is the only dessert we want—or need! With our recipe for Probiotic Pumpkin Ice Cream, each scoop of this autumn treat supports your gut with beneficial bacteria it needs to thrive.
Crafted from just a few simple ingredients, this recipe’s main ingredient is Pumpkin Spice Lifeway Kefir, which adds a cozy flavor and smooth texture that complements the warm pumpkin spice blend and pumpkin purée. Our kefir turns this frozen dessert into a creamy, fall-inspired, gut-healthy treat that you’ll want to make year after year.
We used our Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice flavor here, but if you want to make this out of season or can’t find it, not to worry! You can use any flavor of Lifeway Kefir in this recipe; our plain and vanilla flavors, in either lowfat or whole milk varieties, would be perfect choices.
The Benefits of Cultured Dairy for Better Health:
Research continues to show the importance of eating healthy foods, including cultured dairy such as kefir, for optimal digestion and gut health, a strong immune system, and to support the microbiome. Fermented foods like kefir hold important value in this line of research due to the link between the gut-brain axis and overall health. Specifically, kefir has been shown to help diversify the microbiome, improve digestion, reduce inflammation, support healthier blood sugar levels, and improve satiety since the bioavailable protein it contains triggers the release of GLP-1.
Lifeway Kefir is packed with variety of vital nutrients important for overall health, including bone and muscle health; these include vitamin D3, K, calcium, and vitamin B12. Along with our probiotic-rich kefir, Lifeway also offers artisan-made Farmer Cheese, a creamy high-protein cheese made with live and active cultures to support healthy muscles and healthy microbiome. Lifeway Farmer Cheese is easy to spread, free of gums and thickeners, and contains no added salt or sugar for optimal health benefits.
Prep Time: 2-5 mins Servings: 1Ingredients
- 1 cup Lowfat Pumpkin Spice Kefir
- **or sub vanilla or plain Lifeway Kefir if needed/desired
- 1/2 cup pumpkin purée (unsweetened, not pumpkin pie mix)
- 1 tsp. pumpkin spice powder
- optional: 1 tsp. honey or maple syrup for more sweetness
- Toppings: Biscoff cookies or pumpkin/cinnamon flavored granola works (like Purely Elizabeth brand)
Directions
- Blend the ingredients except the topping in a blender until thick and smooth.
- Pour into a small, freezer-safe container (or a Ninja Creami® container if you have one--see note below). Freeze for at least 6 hours, then remove, add any toppings, and enjoy!
- Note: If using a Creami® machine, you can also wait to add the cookies/granola in until after the mixture has frozen, and then use the "mix in" settings on the machine. Or, just use them as a topping as we did!
