Chai Tea Ice Cream Recipe
If you love spicy chai tea, you will love this Chai Ice Cream Recipe that is perfect for any time of the year. It’s a delicious combination of cream, milk, and tempered eggs, along with warm spices like cinnamon, ground ginger, star anise, and cloves. With just 20 minutes of active time, the hardest part is waiting for it to chill.
Equipment
- 1 small pot
- 1 Mixing bowl
- 1 whisk
- 1 fine-mesh sieve
- 1 ice cream maker
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ginger powder
- ½ teaspoon cardamom powder
- ¼ teaspoon star anise powder
- ¼ teaspoon clove powder
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 6 yolks egg
- ¾ cup white granulated sugar
Instructions
- Combine the cream and milk in a small pot and add the chai spices, vanilla extract, and salt. Bring to a simmer, then remove from heat.
- Mix egg yolks and sugar in a mixing bowl, and continue stirring until it turns pale yellow. Slowly add one-third of the hot cream mixture into the eggs and sugar while whisking continuously. Then, return the pot to medium-low heat and whisk the yolk mixture back into the pot with the cream.
- Continue stirring frequently and cook gently, for about 5-7 minutes, until a custard forms. An instant-read thermometer will read 170 F. Otherwise, you’ll know it's thick enough when the mixture coats the back of your spoon and a clean line remains in the custard after swiping a finger across the top.
- Strain hot custard through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl. Let it cool to room temperature before covering it with plastic wrap and setting it in the freezer to chill for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Finally, transfer to an ice cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Notes
- Use High-Quality Spices: Fresh, high-quality spices will give your ice cream a more vibrant and authentic chai flavor. Consider grinding your own spices for the best results.
- Use Full-Fat Milk: Use full-fat milk and cream for a creamier, richer texture. Avoid low-fat substitutes for best results.
- Taste and Adjust: Taste the mixture and adjust sweetness and/or spiciness to your preference before freezing.
- Chill the Base Thoroughly: Chill the ice cream base thoroughly before churning so that the ice cream freezes more quickly and evenly.
- Don’t Over-Churn: Stop churning when the ice cream reaches a soft-serve consistency. Over-churning can make the texture grainy.
- Add Mix-Ins: Add mix-ins like nuts, chocolate chips, cookie crumbles, or dried fruit to enhance the flavor and texture of your ice cream.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 333kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 5gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 208mgSodium: 182mgSugar: 22g
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