Matcha white chocolate ice cream
Smooth, luscious, and bursting with flavor, this Matcha White Chocolate Ice Cream balances earthy matcha with sweet, creamy white chocolate. With just a few ingredients and a little chilling time, you can whip up this refreshing dessert that’s perfect for summer or any time you crave something unique and indulgent.
Equipment
- 1 Small saucepan
- 1 Heatproof bowl (microwave safe)
- 1 Whisk
- 1 Fine Mesh Sieve
- 1 Ice Cream Maker
- 1 Airtight Freezer-Safe Container
Ingredients
- 80 g whole milk
- 420 g double cream heavy cream
- 200 g white chocolate
- 1 tbsp matcha green tea powder
Instructions
- Heat the Cream and Milk: Start by pouring whole milk and double cream into a small saucepan. Place the pan over medium-low heat and gently warm the mixture. Stir occasionally with a whisk to prevent the cream from sticking to the bottom. Your goal is to bring the liquid up to around 90°C (194°F) — if you don’t have a thermometer, watch carefully and remove it from the heat just before it reaches a full boil. This step ensures the cream is hot enough to melt the chocolate later, creating a smooth base for your ice cream.
- Soften the White Chocolate: While the milk and cream are heating, break white chocolate into small, even pieces. Place them into a microwave-safe heatproof bowl. Microwave the chocolate in short bursts of 20–30 seconds on low power, stirring between each interval. This prevents the chocolate from burning and helps it soften gradually.Your aim is a soft, pliable texture, not fully melted — the chocolate will melt completely once combined with the hot cream mixture.
- Mix in Matcha Powder: Once the chocolate has softened, sprinkle in 1 tablespoon of matcha powder. Use a small whisk or spoon to mix thoroughly until you have a smooth, uniform paste. The vibrant green color of matcha should be fully blended with the white chocolate, creating a rich, aromatic base. Take your time — proper blending at this stage ensures a consistent flavor throughout the ice cream.
- Combine Chocolate-Matcha with Cream: Slowly pour the hot milk and cream mixture over the chocolate-matcha paste while continuously whisking. This gradual mixing prevents the chocolate from seizing or clumping. Once fully combined, you should have a silky, glossy, pale green mixture. For an extra smooth texture, strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a clean bowl. This step removes any small lumps or undissolved matcha particles, ensuring a velvety ice cream.
- Chill the Mixture: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and place it in the fridge to chill. For best results, leave it in the fridge for at least a few hours, or up to 24 hours.Chilling allows the flavors to deepen and the mixture to become cold, which is essential for achieving a creamy texture during churning.
- Churn in an Ice Cream Maker: Once the mixture is fully chilled, pour it into your ice cream maker. Follow your appliance’s instructions carefully. Generally, you will churn for 20–30 minutes, or until the mixture thickens to a soft-serve consistency. Churning incorporates air into the ice cream, creating a light, smooth texture while freezing it slowly to prevent large ice crystals.
- Transfer and Freeze: Scrape the freshly churned ice cream into a freezer-safe airtight container. Smooth the top with a spatula and cover tightly. Place the container in the freezer for at least 2 hours, allowing the ice cream to firm up completely. If you’ve chilled it in advance, the flavors will be even more pronounced, and the texture will be ultra-creamy.
- Serve and Enjoy: Before serving, remove the ice cream from the freezer about 10 minutes in advance to allow it to soften slightly for easier scooping. Use an ice cream scoop to serve generous portions into bowls or cones. Enjoy the earthy matcha flavor balanced with creamy white chocolate sweetness — a perfect, indulgent dessert that’s both refreshing and satisfying.
Notes
- Use high-quality matcha powder for the best flavor and vibrant green color.
- Make sure the white chocolate is soft but not melted before mixing; this prevents clumping.
- Chilling the base overnight enhances flavor and improves ice cream texture.
- For a creamier ice cream, don’t skip straining the mixture before churning.
- Serve slightly softened for easier scooping and a smoother mouthfeel.
- You can adjust sweetness by choosing sweeter or less sweet white chocolate.
- Ideal for summer parties or meal prep, as it holds well in the freezer.
