Homemade Matcha (Green Tea) Ice Cream
Add green tea powder to your next batch of no-churn ice cream to make this simple and easy matcha ice cream. With just 4 ingredients and 5 minutes to prep, this will soon become your absolute favorite dessert.
Have you tasted matcha ice cream in Japan? Well, unlike the ice creams we are used to, the traditional matcha green tea ice cream has a light, bitter aftertaste. I tried it for the first time in Tokyo, Japan, and honestly, I totally frowned that this was ice cream. Yet, there is something about that light, bitter aftertaste that keeps you coming for more. After that, almost every trip to Japan, I craved it.
Why make this ice cream?
- It’s a very simple recipe. It needs just four ingredients that you probably already have on hand. The rest are optional.
- Also, it takes just five minutes to whip and about 4 hours to freeze.
- And it makes a smooth, creamy ice cream with no ice crystals, and no one will believe it wasn’t made with an ice cream maker.
- And unlike traditional ice cream, this one has no eggs, which means it’s eggless – one dessert for everyone.
Ingredients and substitutes
- Whipping cream – The higher the fat, the creamier your ice cream. I use whipping cream with 38% fat.
- Condensed milk – Condensed milk is sweetened, so we do not add any additional sugar. You can also make homemade condensed milk using the traditional method or my 5-minute method.
- Vanilla – Condensed milk usually has vanilla, so you can omit it. But I like to add some more vanilla extract.
- Matcha powder – As I said, matcha has a light, bitter aftertaste. I personally use only 2 tbsp, and yet you can go up to 4 tbsp for this recipe.
- Pistachio nuts – I think pistachios are a great combination with green tea. And yet, you may choose other nuts, such as almonds, if you prefer.
Step-by-step: Matcha ice cream
- Place the matcha or green tea powder in a small bowl. Add the hot water and mix to a smooth paste.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, with the paddle attachment, whip the whipping cream until it forms almost stiff peaks.
Pro tip – The more you whip the cream, the fluffier the ice cream. But do not overwhip, or you will churn the whipping cream into butter. - Next, add the condensed milk and vanilla extract. Mix for a minute more to combine.
- Then, add matcha paste and combine well. Finally, sprinkle the chopped pistachio nuts. Fold gently, leaving some above the ice cream.
- Pour into an ice cream storage container and freeze for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Pro tip – For the creamiest ice cream, thaw the container for at least 10 minutes before you attempt to scoop the ice cream. This will soften any ice crystals. - Enjoy!
- No-Churn Ice Cream – (2 ingredients)
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- Cheesecake Ice Cream Recipe
- See all ice cream recipes
Frequently asked questions
I think no-churn is not a very common term in all parts of the world. No-churn simply means that you don’t need an ice cream maker. It refers to the paddle in an ice cream maker that turns (churns) the ice cream mixture from a liquid state to a creamy ice cream consistency.
No, because it won’t be sweet! The difference between evaporated and condensed milk is that condensed milk is sweet with a caramel-like flavor, while evaporated milk is just thick milk with 60% of the liquid evaporated.
The green tea you drink is usually a bag filled with tea leaves that you infuse in hot water. However, matcha is powdered green tea leaves. So, when you have matcha tea, you actually consume the tea leaves in powder form. I’m told that is why it has a bitter taste.
Apart from that, matcha is considered a high-quality tea with lots of health benefits. If you like reading, you must check out some interesting information about matcha that you can find on the Internet. For now, I’ll just give the ingredients and recipe for this amazing matcha green tea ice cream.
Pistachio Matcha Ice Cream
Add green tea powder to your next batch of no-churn ice cream to make this simple and easy matcha ice cream. With just four ingredients and 5 minutes to prep, this will soon become your absolute favorite dessert.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (250 ml) Whipping cream
- ½ cup (120 ml) Condensed milk
- 3 tbsp (45 g) Matcha powder
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract optional
- 1 cup (125 g) Pistachios toasted, chopped – optional
- 4 tbsp (60 ml) Hot water
Method
- Place the matcha or green tea powder in a small bowl. Add the hot water and mix to a smooth paste.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, with the paddle attachment, whip the whipping cream until it forms almost stiff peaks.
- Next, add the condensed milk and vanilla bean paste. Mix a minute more to combine.
- Then, add matcha paste and combine well. Finally, sprinkle the chopped pistachio nuts. Fold gently, leaving some above the ice cream.
- Pour into an ice cream storage container and freeze for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Enjoy!
Notes
-
- Whip the cream separately, then fold the rest of the mixture into the whipped cream. This makes the ice cream softer and creamier in texture.
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- If you use less fat, the possibility of ice crystals forming can be high. A great way to reduce that is to just stir the ice cream once or twice in between.
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- You can store ice cream in a metal loaf pan wrapped in aluminum foil. The foil helps prevent the formation of ice crystals. I like to use these silicon ice cream tubs with firm lids.
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- Let the ice cream thaw a few minutes before you attempt to scoop it. This will give the ice crystals a moment to soften.
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- I like to dip my ice cream scoop in water. This helps scoop the ice cream better.
Equipment you will need
Nutrition
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This was so good! Creamy and delicious. I love no-churn ice cream but this matcha ice cream is my new favorite!
it doesn’t say how much hot water to use
Just 4 tbsp spoons will do fine Joana. Thanks
Does this need to be made with a specific matcha powder?
NO any brand of good matcha powder will work. Thanks
I am a sucker for ice cream. It is my favorite dessert. That smooth cold creamy feel in the mouth makes me feel so good. I haven’t tried the matcha powder, although I’ve been wanting to for the health benefits. The pistachios must taste wonderful. I simply love the idea of no churn. If I make this I can say that the matcha counteracts the calories.
Me too Marisa, love ice cream. I use Matcha powder quite a bit – in smoothies too! It really is good for you.
I have never had matcha ice cream.
But I am not a big dessert and sweets fan, so the description you give sounds like this could be perfect for me. I will have to try this!
You should try it Claire..! It is acquired taste for some but if you say you not a dessert fan then this might just be your kinda treat. Also go ahead and add less sugar.. I do that sometimes too.
I love matcha tea and I bet the addition of the pistachios adds the perfect flavor to the ice cream! Can’t wait to try it!
It so does Hnaady! I love Matcha too and the pistachio is just so perfect.
I am not much of a sweet tooth, and I am good with bitter food plus I do love ice cream, especially fancy flavors. I think you can call your ice cream sophisticated!
Lucky you Helene!! I think I have all sweet teeth rather than tooth lol. I’m crazy about desserts but I do love the little bitter taste you get in this.
Love pistachios and matcha green tea this coudl be my favorite ice cream ever. And looks like the recipe is very easy to make I must try this soon at home.
I know what you mean Adriana. I love this ice cream myself.
This recipe sounds PERFECT! Always love matcha. I can only imagine how delicious it would be as a frozen treat!
Absolutely Christine.. If you love matcha you will definitely love this !
That’s pretty interesting. It makes for a beautiful color, and great creamy ice cream (because of your base), but I am not a fan of anything green tea. 🙁
Aww sorry to hear that. We do love matcha not just because of the health benefits but because it’s so delish.