Delicious and Easy Homemade Black Sesame Ice Cream Recipe
Discover the rich, nutty flavors of authentic Japanese black sesame ice cream. This unique dessert boasts an intense jet-black color and deep, complex taste that will transport your taste buds straight to Tokyo!
Unlock the Secret: Japanese Black Sesame Paste
The key to achieving that coveted intense flavor and striking black hue lies in using genuine Japanese-style black sesame paste. Unlike its raw counterpart, this paste is crafted from toasted black sesame seeds with their hulls intact, delivering a robust nuttiness with just a hint of pleasant bitterness.
Turbinado Sugar: The Perfect Flavor Enhancer
We’ve chosen turbinado sugar to complement the toasted sesame notes. Its natural molasses undertones beautifully underscore the sesame flavor, creating a harmonious balance reminiscent of traditional Japanese kuromitsu (black honey).
Crafting Your Black Sesame Ice Cream Base
This recipe follows a classic custard-style ice cream method. We’ll gently heat our ingredients to create a luscious base, infuse it with the prized black sesame paste, and then chill it to perfection before churning.
Churning to Creamy Perfection
For the best results, ensure your ice cream maker’s canister is thoroughly chilled. Once churned, you can enjoy your creation as a soft-serve treat or freeze it further for a firmer, scoopable consistency.
Elevate Your Black Sesame Ice Cream Experience
While absolutely delightful on its own, try pairing this ice cream with a vibrant raspberry puree for a sophisticated twist on the classic PB&J flavor profile. The bright acidity of the fruit beautifully cuts through the rich, toasty sesame notes.
Black Sesame Ice Cream Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 ounces turbinado or light brown sugar (about 3/4 cup; 170g)
- 4 1/2 ounces egg yolk (about 1/2 cup; 125g), from 7 large eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon (2g) Diamond Crystal kosher salt; for table salt, use about half as much by volume or the same weight
- 7 ounces heavy cream (about 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons; 195g)
- 8 ounces whole milk (about 1 cup; 225g)
- 6 ounces Japanese-style black sesame paste (about 2/3 cup; 170g), such as Kuki (see note)
Directions
- In a 3-quart stainless steel saucier, whisk together turbinado sugar, egg yolks, and salt. Gradually incorporate cream and milk. Warm the mixture over medium-low heat, stirring constantly. Increase heat to medium and continue cooking until steaming hot (about 155°F/68°C), but not boiling. This process should take around 8 minutes.
- Remove from heat and whisk in the black sesame paste until smooth. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a large stainless steel bowl. For a more uniform color, pulse with an immersion blender for about 30 seconds (optional step for aesthetic purposes).
- Create an ice bath in your sink or a large bowl. Place the custard bowl in the ice bath, stirring occasionally until cool (about 30 minutes). Cover and refrigerate until the mixture reaches 40°F (4°C) or below, approximately 4 hours.
- Churn the chilled base in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. While churning, place a 1-quart container and flexible spatula in the freezer. Once the ice cream is thick and fluffy, transfer it to the chilled container using the cold spatula.
- Enjoy immediately as soft-serve, or for a firmer consistency, cover the surface directly with plastic wrap and freeze for about 4 hours before scooping.
Notes
The unique flavor and striking color of this ice cream depend on high-quality Japanese-style black sesame paste. Look for it in squeezable pouches at Asian markets or purchase Kuki black sesame paste online. Avoid using American-style black sesame paste (often labeled ‘black tahini’), as it’s made from raw seeds and lacks the robust flavor needed for this recipe.
Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
---|---|
379 | Calories |
27g | Fat |
29g | Carbs |
8g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
---|---|
Servings: 8 | |
Amount per serving | |
Calories | 379 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 27g | 34% |
Saturated Fat 10g | 49% |
Cholesterol 202mg | 67% |
Sodium 133mg | 6% |
Total Carbohydrate 29g | 11% |
Dietary Fiber 1g | 4% |
Total Sugars 23g | |
Protein 8g | |
Vitamin C 1mg | 6% |
Calcium 107mg | 8% |
Iron 2mg | 9% |
Potassium 194mg | 4% |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. |