Matcha Green Tea Ice Cream [20 Minutes]

Matcha Green Tea Ice Cream is a delicious and refreshing dessert that brings the unique, earthy flavor of matcha green tea to a creamy, frozen treat. This homemade ice cream is perfect for those who love the subtle bitterness of matcha balanced with the sweetness of ice cream. Whether enjoyed on its own or as a part of a dessert platter, this matcha ice cream is sure to impress.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

You’ll love Matcha Green Tea Ice Cream for its rich, creamy texture and the distinctive flavor of matcha. Making it at home allows you to control the quality of the ingredients and adjust the sweetness to your liking. This recipe is straightforward and results in a beautifully green, deliciously creamy ice cream that’s perfect for any occasion.

Expert Tips and Tricks

  • High-quality matcha: Use high-quality culinary grade matcha for the best flavor and color.
  • Chill the mixture: Ensure the ice cream mixture is thoroughly chilled before churning for the best texture.
  • Sift the matcha: Sift the matcha powder to avoid any lumps in the ice cream.
  • Do not overheat: When heating the milk and cream, do not let it boil, as this can affect the texture of the ice cream.

Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions

  • Vegan option: Use coconut milk and coconut cream to make this ice cream dairy-free and vegan.
  • Different sweeteners: Substitute sugar with honey, agave syrup, or a sugar substitute to adjust the sweetness.
  • Add-ins: Mix in white chocolate chips, mochi pieces, or red bean paste for added texture and flavor.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

Serve Matcha Green Tea Ice Cream on its own, in a cone, or as part of a dessert platter. It pairs beautifully with fresh fruit, mochi, or a drizzle of sweetened condensed milk. This ice cream also makes a great accompaniment to traditional Japanese desserts.

Storage and Reheating Tips

  • Freezing: Store the ice cream in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 weeks. Place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the ice cream to prevent ice crystals from forming.
  • Reheating: There’s no need to reheat ice cream, but if it’s too hard, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften before scooping.

Recipe FAQs

How do I make the ice cream creamier? Using a higher fat content cream and ensuring the mixture is well-chilled before churning helps create a creamier texture.

Can I use ceremonial grade matcha? Yes, but it’s more expensive and might not be necessary for ice cream. Culinary grade is a good balance of quality and cost.

Why is my ice cream icy? Ensure the mixture is thoroughly chilled before churning and avoid over-churning to prevent an icy texture.

Can I make this without an ice cream maker? Yes, you can make no-churn ice cream by whipping the cream to soft peaks, folding in the sweetened condensed milk and matcha mixture, and then freezing.

Matcha Green Tea Ice Cream

Matcha Green Tea Ice Cream

Yield: 1 quart
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Additional Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes

Experience the delicate balance of sweet and earthy flavors with homemade Matcha Green Tea Ice Cream. This easy-to-follow recipe delivers creamy, dreamy perfection in every scoop, inviting you on a culinary journey to the heart of Japanese-inspired dessert indulgence.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups (480ml) heavy cream
  • 1 cup (240ml) whole milk
  • 2/3 cup (130g) granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons matcha green tea powder
  • 6 large egg yolks

Instructions

  1. Heat the milk: In a medium saucepan, whisk together the milk, cream, and matcha powder. Heat the mixture over medium heat until it just begins to simmer. Do not boil.
  2. Whisk the egg yolks and sugar: In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks and sugar until light and fluffy.
  3. Temper the egg yolks: Gradually add the hot milk mixture to the egg yolks, a little at a time, whisking constantly to prevent the eggs from scrambling.
  4. Cook the custard: Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the custard thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
  5. Strain and chill: Strain the custard through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, until completely cool.
  6. Churn the ice cream: Pour the chilled custard into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
  7. Freeze: Transfer the churned ice cream to a freezer-safe container and freeze for at least 4 hours or until firm.

Notes

  • Ensure smooth custard: Straining the custard helps remove any lumps and creates a smooth, creamy texture.
  • Cooling time: Make sure the custard is completely cool before churning; this will improve the texture of the ice cream.
  • Matcha quality: Use high-quality matcha powder for the best flavor and color.
  • Serving suggestion: Serve the ice cream with a sprinkle of matcha powder on top or with sweetened red bean paste for an authentic Japanese dessert experience.
  • Nutrition Information:
    Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
    Amount Per Serving: Calories: 205Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 347mgSodium: 141mgCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 0gSugar: 5gProtein: 13g

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