Prep the Vanilla: Take a sharp knife and carefully split both vanilla pods lengthwise. Use the back of the knife to scrape out all those tiny, flavorful seeds. Don't throw away the empty pods! You can stick them in a jar of sugar to make vanilla sugar later.

Whisk the Base: In a mixing jug or bowl, combine the vanilla seeds, whole milk, heavy cream, confectioners’ sugar, and that pinch of salt. Whisk vigorously until the sugar has fully dissolved and the black vanilla specks are dancing evenly throughout the liquid.

Freeze: Pour your mixture into the Ninja Creami pint container. Be careful not to exceed the max fill line. Secure the lid tightly and place it in your freezer on a perfectly flat surface. Let it freeze for a full 24 hours. This ensures the base is frozen solid, which is key for the machine to work correctly.

Spin Time: After 24 hours, remove the pint from the freezer. Take off the lid and lock the pint into the Ninja Creami outer bowl. Select the Ice Cream function and let the machine do its thing.

Check and Adjust: Once the cycle finishes, open it up. If the texture looks a bit crumbly or powdery (which is common!), don't panic. Simply add 1-2 tablespoons of milk into the center of the pint, pop it back in, and press the Mix-In button once. This acts like a "re-spin" and smooths everything out.

Serve: You can enjoy it immediately for a luscious soft-serve consistency, or put it back in the freezer for a bit if you prefer firm scoops.