Our easy Matcha Ice Cream recipe uses your Cuisinart ice cream maker to create a creamy, egg-free ice cream. It captures the unique, earthy flavor of matcha green tea in every creamy scoop.
With the light green tea color and subtle earthy notes, this ice cream will become a new favorite. Pair it in a bowl with our bright Acai Berry Ice Cream for a stunning presentation!
Why You'll Love This Matcha Ice Cream Recipe
This ice cream recipe captures the distinct, earthy essence of matcha green tea, a flavor cherished in Japanese tea ceremonies. You'll have an ice cream treat that is both refreshing and sophisticated, offering a sweet escape in every creamy spoonful.
- Rich and Creamy: The combination of heavy cream and condensed milk creates a luxuriously smooth and creamy, almost gelato type of ice cream texture.
- Quick and Easy: Made with just a few pantry ingredients, and no eggs, this ice cream recipe is churned and ready to harden in less than 45 minutes.
- Unique: The beautiful green color and subtle earthy flavor of matcha create a truly unique and beautiful ice cream.
Ingredients Overview
For this recipe, you'll need high-quality culinary grade matcha powder, sweetened condensed milk, heavy whipping cream, and vanilla extract.
- Matcha Tea powder
- Heavy Cream
- Sweetened Condensed Milk
- Vanilla extract
- Water (just enough to create a slurry with the matcha powder).
- Salt, pinch
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How To Make Matcha Ice Cream
This simple ice cream recipe churns into a thick, creamy gelato type of frozen treat. Simply combine, pour into the previously frozen freezer bowl, set for 35 minutes and then transfer to tubs and harden in the freezer.
Step 1: Mix the powdered matcha in a bowl with just enough hot water to create a thick slurry. Allow to sit until completely cool so the tea absorbs water.
Step 2: In a separate large bowl, combine the sweetened condensed mil and heavy cream. Whisk to blend.
Step 3: Add the cooled matcha tea slurry and vanilla and whisk until completely blended.
Step 4: Pour the Matcha ice cream base into the frozen freezer bowl and program your Cuisinart for either 'ice cream' or 'gelato' , adjusting the time also to 35 minutes. When the timer goes off, check the ice cream, it should be the texture of soft serve ice cream.
Step 5: Carefully remove the dasher, scraping off the excess ice cream. Transfer the freezer bowl of ice cream to a lined loaf pan, bowl, or ice cream tubs. Place in your freezer for 1 to 2 hours to 'ripen', or harden. Scoop and enjoy!
Make a matcha ice cream sundae with your favorite toppings like whipped cream, fruit, and chopped nuts. Serve it in a waffle cone or bowl drizzled with white chocolate ganache for an extra decadent treat.
Substitutions and Variations
Here are a few delicious variations or substitutions when making this recipe.
- Matcha Quality: For the best flavor and vibrant green color, use high-quality culinary grade matcha powder. Avoid ceremonial or lower-grade matcha, as it can be too bitter or dull in flavor for ice cream.
- Exciting Mix-Ins: For an extra burst of flavor and texture, fold in chewy mochi pieces, sweet red bean paste, chopped white chocolate, or toasted almonds just before transferring the churned ice cream to the freezer for hardening.
- Matcha Intensity: You can vary the amount of matcha powder to control the strength of its flavor. Use a little less for a milder taste or a bit more if you prefer a bolder, more earthy matcha presence.
Tips for Success
Here are a few tips for making this matcha ice cream recipe:
- Freeze the Bowl Solid: If using a Cuisinart ice cream maker with a freezer bowl, make sure it's frozen solid. This typically requires at least 12-24 hours in the freezer. A well-frozen bowl is key to achieving proper consistency.
- Use High-Quality Matcha: The flavor of your ice cream is directly tied to the quality of your matcha. Opt for culinary grade matcha for the best, most vibrant color and authentic taste.
- Sift Your Matcha: To avoid any clumps in your ice cream, always sift the matcha powder through a fine-mesh sieve before whisking it into your liquid ingredients. This ensures a silky-smooth texture.
- Chill Base Thoroughly: Just like with other homemade ice creams, a completely chilled base is essential. Allow your matcha ice cream mixture to chill in the refrigerator for at least 4-6 hours, or ideally overnight, before churning.
- Don't Over-Churn: Churn the ice cream until it reaches a soft-serve consistency, usually around 20-30 minutes. Over-churning can sometimes lead to a less creamy texture. It will firm up further in the freezer.
Storage Options
Some recommended storage options for this recipe are:
- Freezer: Store freshly churned ice cream in an airtight container in the coldest part of your freezer for up to 2 weeks for the best quality and texture.
- Prevent Freezer Burn: To maintain freshness and prevent ice crystals, press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the ice cream before placing the lid on the container.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For the best flavor and color, opt for high-quality culinary grade matcha. Lower-grade matcha can result in a bitter taste or dull color.
Always sift your matcha powder through a fine-mesh sieve before whisking it into your liquids. This is key to a smooth, lump-free ice cream. Even with sifting, some matcha clumps may occur. If this happens, you can use an immersion blender to briefly blend the mixture after adding the matcha powder.
Churning time can vary depending on your specific Cuisinart model. Consult your user manual for recommended churning times. It typically takes 30-35 minutes for most ice cream makers to reach a soft-serve consistency.
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Get The Recipe!
Matcha Ice Cream (Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker)
Equipment
- Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker ICE70
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoon matcha powder
- ½ cup hot water
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk 1 can
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Mix the powdered matcha in a bowl with just enough hot water to create a thick slurry. Allow to sit until completely cool so the tea absorbs water.4 tablespoon matcha powder, ½ cup hot water
- In a separate large bowl, combine the sweetened condensed milk and heavy cream. Whisk to blend.14 oz sweetened condensed milk, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, 2 cup heavy cream
- Add the cooled matcha tea slurry and vanilla and whisk until completely blended.
- Add the cooled matcha tea slurry and vanilla and whisk until completely blended.
- Pour the Matcha ice cream base into the frozen freezer bowl and program your Cuisinart for either 'ice cream' or 'gelato' , adjusting the time also to 35 minutes.
- When the timer goes off, check the ice cream, it should be the texture of soft serve ice cream.
- Carefully remove the dasher, scraping off the excess ice cream. Transfer the freezer bowl of ice cream to a lined loaf pan, bowl, or ice cream tubs.
- Place in your freezer for 1 to 2 hours to 'ripen', or harden. Scoop and enjoy!
Notes
- Freeze the Bowl Solid: If using a Cuisinart ice cream maker with a freezer bowl, make sure it's frozen solid. This typically requires at least 12-24 hours in the freezer. A well-frozen bowl is key to achieving proper consistency.
- Use High-Quality Matcha: The flavor of your ice cream is directly tied to the quality of your matcha. Opt for culinary grade matcha for the best, most vibrant color and authentic taste.
- Sift Your Matcha: To avoid any clumps in your ice cream, always sift the matcha powder through a fine-mesh sieve before whisking it into your liquid ingredients. This ensures a silky-smooth texture.
- Chill Base Thoroughly: Just like with other homemade ice creams, a completely chilled base is essential. Allow your matcha ice cream mixture to chill in the refrigerator for at least 4-6 hours, or ideally overnight, before churning.
- Don't Over-Churn: Churn the ice cream until it reaches a soft-serve consistency, usually around 20-30 minutes. Over-churning can sometimes lead to a less creamy texture. It will firm up further in the freezer.
Kelly Bloom says
This matcha ice cream is super easy to make, super creamy, and has the best green tea taste!