Craving a taste of Japan right in your kitchen? Look no further than this delightful Matcha Soft Serve Ice Cream recipe! Perfect for warm days or cozy nights in, this no-churn ice cream is incredibly easy to make and delivers a rich, authentic matcha flavor that will transport your taste buds. If you’re a matcha enthusiast like me, you’re always on the lookout for new ways to enjoy this vibrant green tea powder. And trust me, this matcha soft serve is a game-changer.
For those who dream of homemade soft serve but lack an ice cream machine, your wish is granted! This recipe is wonderfully simple and straightforward, making it a fun activity to involve the kids in – get ready for some kitchen fun! Weekends in our home often involve creating sweet treats with the kids, from exciting ice cream pies to other frozen delights. We’ve explored a world of ice cream flavors, and now, I’m thrilled to share this exquisite matcha creation with you.
Jump to Recipe
Unveiling the Magic of Matcha
Before we dive into the recipe, let’s appreciate the star ingredient: matcha. Matcha is a distinctive type of green tea, deeply rooted in Japanese and East Asian cultures. It’s not just tea; it’s a finely ground powder made from specially grown and processed green tea leaves. The tea plants are nurtured under shade for about a month before harvest, a process that enriches their flavor and color. After harvesting, the leaves are carefully ground into a powder, with stems and veins removed to ensure a smooth, premium quality.
Culinary grade matcha powder boasts a unique flavor profile – subtly sweet, grassy, and with a hint of nuttiness. It’s available in both powder form and tea bags, offering versatility for various culinary applications. (Affiliate link) If you’re captivated by matcha’s charm, you absolutely must try these baked matcha donuts with white chocolate glaze or the incredibly delicious matcha cake roll.
Why You’ll Adore This Matcha Soft Serve Recipe
- Luxuriously Creamy: Prepare for an unbelievably smooth and creamy texture that rivals store-bought soft serve.
- Melt-in-Your-Mouth Goodness: This ice cream literally melts on your tongue, offering a delicate and delightful sensation.
- Flavor Explosion: The combination of earthy matcha and a subtle hint of coconut creates a flavor harmony that’s simply irresistible.
- Effortless to Make: This recipe is designed for ease, perfect for both novice and experienced home cooks.
- No Ice Cream Machine Needed: Skip the specialized equipment! This recipe uses a simple freezing and blending method.
Gather Your Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to whip up this delectable matcha ice cream:
- Heavy Cream or Coconut Cream: I’ve found the best results using a blend of both for ultimate creaminess. Check the recipe notes for vegan alternatives or if you prefer to use only coconut cream. You can also omit coconut cream if you’re not a fan.
- Matcha Powder: This is the heart of our recipe! Don’t skimp on quality – opt for culinary-grade matcha powder for the best flavor and vibrant green hue. Avoid cheaper alternatives, as they can impact the taste and color.
- Sweetener: I prefer sweetened condensed milk for its rich texture and sweetness. However, you can substitute with confectioners’ sugar, granulated sugar, maple syrup, or coconut sugar. Ensure your chosen sweetener is fully dissolved before freezing.
For precise measurements, please refer to the detailed recipe card at the end of this post.
Variations and Substitutions for Your Matcha Ice Cream
This recipe is incredibly adaptable! Here are some simple swaps and variations to customize your matcha soft serve:
- Non-Dairy Milk: For a vegan version, coconut milk is an excellent choice, lending a natural sweetness and creamy texture. Almond milk or soy milk can also be used, though they might result in a slightly less creamy consistency.
- Thickening Agent: Full-fat coconut cream is naturally thick, often eliminating the need for an additional thickening agent. If using non-full-fat milk alternatives, consider adding a touch of cornstarch or arrowroot powder to enhance the creamy texture.
- Vegan Cream Options: Explore vegan sweetened condensed milk, sweetened coconut condensed milk, or the solid cream from refrigerated coconut milk for a completely plant-based treat.
- Alternative Sweeteners: Experiment with maple syrup, coconut sugar, or organic cane sugar to adjust the sweetness and flavor profile to your preference.
Step-by-Step Guide to Matcha Soft Serve Perfection
Step 1: Sift the matcha powder. Using a fine-mesh sieve, sift the matcha powder into a mixing bowl. This crucial step removes any clumps, ensuring a smooth and consistent ice cream base.
Step 2: Combine ingredients. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the heavy cream (and/or coconut cream), sifted matcha powder, salt, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla extract.
Step 3: Freeze in ice cube trays. Pour the creamy matcha mixture into ice cube trays. Cover the trays tightly with plastic wrap and freeze until solid, approximately 5-6 hours or preferably overnight.
Step 4: Blend until smooth. Once frozen solid, release the matcha ice cubes from the trays. You can gently loosen them with a paring knife or briefly run the tray under lukewarm water (silicone trays work wonders for easy release). Transfer the frozen cubes to a high-powered food processor or blender. Blend until you achieve a silky smooth, soft serve consistency. This may take a couple of minutes, so be patient and blend in intervals if needed, scraping down the sides.
Step 5: Pipe or scoop and serve. For a classic soft serve presentation, transfer the blended ice cream into a piping bag fitted with your favorite tip (a star tip works beautifully). Pipe swirls of matcha soft serve into serving cups or waffle cones. Alternatively, simply scoop the ice cream directly into cups.
Step 6: Garnish and enjoy immediately! Sprinkle with extra matcha powder, coconut flakes, chocolate shavings, or your favorite ice cream toppings. Remember, soft serve melts quickly, so serve and enjoy immediately!
Pro Tips for Perfect Matcha Soft Serve
- Chill the Piping Bag: For beautifully shaped swirls, place the filled piping bag in the freezer for 10-15 minutes before piping. This firms up the ice cream slightly, helping it hold its shape.
- Piping Bag Essentials: I recommend using a large piping bag and a star tip for easy and professional-looking soft serve. (Affiliate links: large piping bag, star tip).
- No Piping Bag? No Problem! If you prefer a simpler approach, just scoop the blended matcha ice cream into serving cups straight from the blender or food processor. Serve immediately or refreeze leftovers.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve your matcha soft serve in waffle cones or cups for a delightful contrast of textures – the creamy ice cream against the crunchy cone is heavenly!
Delicious Toppings to Elevate Your Matcha Ice Cream
Want to take your matcha soft serve to the next level? Here are some fantastic topping ideas:
- Chocolate: Dark chocolate shavings, white chocolate chips, or even vegan chocolate chunks pair wonderfully with the subtle bitterness of matcha.
- Fruits: Fresh fruit adds a burst of natural sweetness and vibrancy. Consider sliced bananas, citrus segments, berries, or coconut shavings for a tropical twist.
- Herbs: Fresh mint sprigs offer a refreshing and aromatic complement to matcha’s earthy notes.
Essential Equipment for No-Churn Ice Cream
The beauty of this recipe is its simplicity – no ice cream machine required! I personally used a high-powered Ninja blender and food processor during recipe testing and development. (Affiliate link)
If you don’t have a high-powered blender or food processor, don’t worry! Use standard-sized ice cube trays (smaller cubes are easier to blend) and a regular blender. You may need to break up the frozen cubes into smaller pieces before blending – exercise caution and protect your hands if doing so.
Storage Instructions
Store any leftover matcha soft serve in an airtight, freezer-safe container. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, let it sit on the kitchen counter for 3-5 minutes to soften slightly before scooping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Matcha Better with Almond or Coconut Milk?
In my experience, a combination of coconut cream (the solid part from refrigerated coconut milk) and heavy cream yields the most incredible flavor and texture for this soft serve. Matcha complements both almond and coconut milk beautifully. Coconut milk naturally has a subtle sweetness, so you might need to adjust the sweetener accordingly. Its thicker consistency also contributes to a richer ice cream. While I prefer coconut milk, almond milk is a viable alternative.
Is Matcha Soft Serve Healthy?
The healthiness of matcha soft serve depends on the base you choose. Using coconut or almond milk as a base will result in a lighter and potentially “healthier” version compared to using heavy cream. Both coconut and almond milk offer nutritional benefits and antioxidants. Matcha powder itself is known for its potential to boost metabolism, aid in detoxification, and reduce stress.
Is Coconut Matcha Good for You?
Yes, coconut matcha can be a healthy and delicious treat! Both coconut and matcha are considered superfoods, packed with health-promoting properties. Coconut provides healthy fats and overall wellness benefits, while matcha is rich in antioxidants and nutrients that support various bodily functions and enhance metabolism.
More Ice Cream Recipes to Explore
If you’re an ice cream lover like me, you’ll want to check out these other delightful ice cream recipes:
I hope you give this matcha soft serve ice cream recipe a try! Share your creations with me on social media – tag me @WorldlyTreat or use #worldlytreat. And don’t forget to pin this recipe for future frozen treat cravings!
Peace & Love,
Maureen
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase through these links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for your support!
📖 Recipe Card
## Matcha Ice Cream
Soft-serve matcha ice cream is delicious, creamy, and a perfect dessert recipe for those seeking a no-churn ice cream option. It is easily adaptable to be vegan.
**5 stars** from 52 votes
[Print Recipe](https://worldlytreat.com/wprm_print/matcha-ice-cream) [Pin Recipe](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/bookmarklet/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fworldlytreat.com%2Fsoft-serve-matcha-ice-cream%2F&media=https%3A%2F%2Fworldlytreat.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F09%2FSoft-Serve-Matcha-Ice-Cream-1.png&description=Soft+serve+matcha+ice+cream+is+delicious%2C+creamy%2C+and+a+perfect+dessert+recipe+for+those+looking+for+a+no-churn+ice+cream+option.+It+is+easily+vegan.+Click+the+link+to+find+out+how+to+make+yours.+Bonus+list+of+substitutions+for+your+diet.&is_video=false) [Rate Recipe](#commentform)
**Course:** Dessert
**Cuisine:** American, International, Japanese
**Prep Time:** 10 minutes
**Cook Time:** 0 minutes
**Freezing Time:** 5 hours
**Total Time:** 5 hours 10 minutes
**Servings:** 8
**Calories:** 209kcal
**Author:** [Maureen Celestine](https://worldlytreat.com/about/)
### Equipment
* High-powered Blender or Food Processor
### Ingredients
* 2 cups heavy cream (or coconut cream from 3 cans, see note below)
* 1 teaspoon culinary grade matcha powder (See post for recommendations)
* 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
* 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
* Pinch of salt
### Instructions
1. Sift the matcha powder and set aside. Whisk together one tablespoon of heavy cream with the matcha powder until fully incorporated. Set aside.
2. Combine the remaining cream, condensed milk, matcha powder mixture, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt in a wide bowl. Whisk for about a minute by hand, being careful not to overmix. Stop whisking as soon as the liquid begins to thicken slightly.
3. Pour the mixture into ice cube trays and cover with cling wrap. Freeze for about 5-6 hours or until firm to the touch.
4. While the ice cream is freezing, prepare two large piping bags fitted with a star nozzle. Insert the tips of the bags into a tall glass for easy handling when piping the ice cream. Have serving cups ready.
5. Release the frozen cubes by briefly running the tray under lukewarm water or breaking them apart with a paring knife. Place the cubes in a food processor and blend until silky smooth, about 2 minutes or so. A heavy-duty blender can also be used.
6. Quickly spoon the ice cream into the piping bags. Twist the end of the bag to seal it and apply gentle pressure from the top as you swirl the ice cream into individual serving cups or waffle cones. Top with your favorite ice cream toppings and serve immediately.
### Recipe Notes
* Use a high-powered food processor for the smoothest blending of frozen cubes.
* For the best flavor, use culinary-grade matcha powder.
* Place filled piping bags in the freezer for 10-15 minutes before piping to help the ice cream hold its shape.
* For a simpler serving method, store the blended ice cream in a casserole dish or non-stick pan, cover with cling film, and freeze for about 30 minutes before serving. Use an ice cream scoop to serve.
### Nutrition
Serving: 1 | Calories: 209kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 67mg | Sodium: 16mg | Potassium: 59mg | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 900IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 0.2mg
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