Masala chai ice cream

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This masala chai ice cream has all the warming chai flavours of ginger, cinnamon, cardamon and honey, to name just a few. Its just like a wonderful cup of aromatic spiced chai latte but in an ice cream!

What is masala chai?

Masala chai or mixed spice tea is a type of tea made by brewing black tea, herbs and spices. It originated from the Indian sub continent and is now enjoyed around the world, often as a chai latte in western coffee shops. There are many, many different versions of marsala chai with their own unique mix of herbs and spices. This is my version but feel free to mix up the spices as you like with your own favourite blend.

Ingredients

I use whole spices where ever possible in this recipe. You can use ground spices instead if its what you have or you can't get whole spices. This may make the ice cream grainer but it will still taste delicious.

Star anise: is a pretty star shaped spice. It has a liquorice like flavour similar to aniseed.

All spice: are small brown spice similar looking to black pepper corns. They have a similar taste to a blend of cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg.

Cinnamon sticks: I used regular cinnamon sticks from the supermarket. If you can't get sticks you can use 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon instead.

Fresh ginger root: will give a lovely fresh punch to this recipe. If you can't get fresh ginger you could substitute with 1/2 - 1 teaspoon of ground ginger, depending on how spicy you like it.

Black pepper corns: is the whole spice of widely available ground black pepper. If you can't get whole pepper corns you can use 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper.

Cardamon pods: are small green pods popular in Indian food. Its important to crack open the pods first to help release their flavour. If you can't get whole cardamon pods you can use 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamon instead.

Whole cloves: are highly aromatic, small, nail shaped flower buds. You can use 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves if you can't get whole ones.

Black tea bags: I used regular black tea bags in this recipe. You could use different black tea such as a early grey or english breakfast. If you use herbal tea instead it would not have the same colour. You could even try using chai tea blend but I would still add the extra spices to give it better flavour.

Honey: I used a mild flavoured honey here so as not compete with the spices. You could mix things up with different honey if you prefer. Where-ever possibly I try to buy local honey. You could substitute honey with 1/2 a tablespoon of glucose syrup if you prefer. It won't be as sweet or have the same flavour, but it will help with the texture and scoop-ability.

Full cream milk: gotta be the full cream stuff, so around 3.5% fat. Anything less is going to make your ice cream icy.

Thickened cream: I use thicken cream. The key thing is it needs to have a fat content of around 35%.

Egg yokes: use large eggs and seperate out the whites. You can set aside the egg whites to make something else with, such as my pretty rainbow meringues. I have not tried this recipe with egg substitutes.

Sugar: regular castor sugar is fine for this recipe. You could also try brown sugar. I don't recommend icing/confectioners sugar, it won't be the same. I haven't tried this with sugar substitutes.

How to make masala chai ice cream

Measure out all your spices and have them ready to add to the ice cream mix to infuse.

If using a double boiler put the water onto boil.

Put the milk into a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Add the tea bags, turn the pot off and leave to steep for three and a half minutes, then remove teabags.

Add the egg yokes to a bowl and beat in the sugar until pale and foamy. Add the warm milk and tea mix about a third at a time, mixing well between additions to temper the egg yokes.

Add cream to top of double boiler on a medium to low heat. Add egg, milk and sugar mix and stir well to combine. Add honey and spices.

Cook the custard mix, stirring frequently, ensuring to scrape the edges until the mix thickens and coats the back of a spoon or spatular. Remove double boiler from heat and allow to stand for a few minutes to cool.

Hot tip: If using a double boiler put the top into a colander on the stove top to cool to stop it tipping over.

Carefully transfer to a heat proof container, cover and refrigerate for at least four hours, ideally overnight to infuse all those lovely earthy flavours.

Put your ice cream storage container in the freezer to chill. If using a self churning machine, turn it on about ten minutes before you churn your ice cream. Other wise take the churning bowl out of the freezer right before churning.

Strain spices out of the ice cream mix, then pour mix into ice cream churner and churn. It will be the consistency of soft serve when done.

Transfer to chilled container and freeze until firm.

To serve the ice cream

To serve remove from the freezer, scoop and enjoy! Fabulous with a cup of warming chai tea on the side and a drizzle of honey or on its own. Delicious!

To store the ice cream

This ice cream will keep best in an airtight container in the freezer for up to two weeks. After this it may start to become icy but will still taste delicious.

Have you made this recipe? Tell me how it went in the comments below and tag me on instagram so I can see your delicious creations! #KCAEIC

Looking for more yummy dessert recipes?

Why not try making

• Cinnamon, apple and oat ice cream
• Apple crumble (apple crisp)
• Cinnamon, honey and kefir popsicles
• Chai panna cotta by Sugar Salt Magic
• Chai spiced tea trifle by Sweet Tea and Thyme
• Masala spiced apple donuts by Raia's Recipes

📋 Recipe

Print Recipe

5 from 2 votes

Masala chai ice cream

This masala chai ice cream has all the warming chai flavours of ginger, cinnamon, cardamon and honey, to name just a few. Its just like a wonderful cup of aromatic spiced chai latte but in an ice cream!

Prep Time45 mins

Plus freezing time or overnight8 hrs

Total Time8 hrs 45 mins

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: Australian, Indian

Keyword: chai, custard based ice cream, masala chai, spiced tea

Equipment

• ice cream churner
• Hand mixer or stand mixer
• double boiler (optional)

Ingredients

• 1 cup (250mls) full cream milk
• 2 black tea tea bags
• 4 large egg yokes
• 1/2 cup (120gms) castor sugar
• 6 whole cardamon pods
• 12 whole cloves
• 3 whole star anise
• 1/4 teaspoon whole black pepper corns
• 3 whole cinnamon sticks
• 1/2 inch (1.5cmish) fresh ginger root
• 2 cups (500ml) thickened cream
• 1 tablespoon mild flavoured honey, such as clover

Instructions

• If using a double boiler, put water onto boil first.
• Add milk to pan on stove top on a medium heat. Once warm but not boiling add tea bags and TURN OFF stove. Leave tea bags to steep for three and a half minutes, then remove tea bags.
• Measure out egg yokes into a bowl, set egg whites aside for another recipe.
• Add sugar to egg yokes and beat until pale and creamy.
• Add warm milk and tea mix to eggs about 1/3 at a time, mixing well in between additions, to temper the egg yokes.
• Add milk, tea, sugar, egg yoke mix to top of double boiler, if using. If not using a double boiler you will need to put the pot on a low heat and watch it VERY carefully to prevent the mix heating to much and scrambling the eggs.
• Add cream, spices and ginger and honey and mix well.
• Heat on a low to medium heat, watching carefully and stirring well to prevent lumps.
• Mix is done when it coats the back of the spoon on spatular and leaves a clear line when you run your finger across it.
• Remove top from double boiler and allow to cool for a few minutes. Transfer mix to heat proof container and chill in the fridge for at least four hours, preferably overnight.
• Put ice cream storage container in the freezer to chill. If using a self churning machine turn it on ten minutes before churning to allow the machine to chill.
• Strain the ice cream mix, then churn the ice cream. It will be the consistency of soft serve when done.
• Transfer to chilled container and freeze until firm.
• To serve remove from freezer, scoop and enjoy! Delicous on its own or with an extra drizzle of honey on top. Delicious!

Notes

I used black tea bags and a mild honey so as not to compete with the spices.  You can mix things up by using different tea or honey flavours if you wish.  

 

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