Chai Ice Cream Recipe

By Max Falkowitz
Updated Apr. 15, 2020
20130206-chai-ice-cream.jpg
Photograph: Max Falkowitz

Masala chai in ice cream form, with strong notes of black pepper, ginger, and star anise. Whole spices that you toast yourself are best for this ice cream, but ground ones will work as well.

Recipe Details

Chai Ice Cream Recipe

Active 60 mins
Total 105 mins
Serves 8 servings
Makes 1 quart

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cream

  • 1 cup milk

  • 1 teaspoon coriander seeds, toasted (3/4 teaspoon ground)

  • 1 teaspoon allspice berries (about 10), toasted (3/4 teaspoon ground)

  • 8 cloves, toasted (1/2 teaspoon ground)

  • 1 whole star anise, toasted (1/2 teaspoon ground)

  • 6 cardamom pods, slightly crushed and toasted (3/4 teaspoon ground)

  • 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns, toasted (1/2 teaspoon ground)

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • 2 tablespoons ginger, grated

  • 1/4 cup black tea leaves, like Assam, English Breakfast, or Orange Pekoe

  • 6 egg yolks

  • 3/4 cup sugar

  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Directions

  1. In a medium saucepan, bring cream and milk to a simmer. Toast whole spices and stir into dairy along with cinnamon and ginger. Bring dairy to a boil, then remove from heat and cover to steep for 45 minutes.

  2. After 45 minutes, return dairy to a boil, then remove from heat and stir in tea leaves. Cover and let steep for 15 minutes.

  3. Pour dairy through a fine mesh strainer into a measuring cup or bowl, pressing on tea leaves with a spoon to extract all liquid. In a clean medium saucepan, whisk together egg yolks and sugar until pale in color and slightly thickened. Slowly add strained dairy, whisking constantly.

  4. Heat mixture on medium heat, stirring frequently, until a custard forms on the back of a spoon and a swiped finger leaves a clean line. Stir in salt to taste, then strain custard into an airtight container and chill overnight.

  5. The next day, churn ice cream according to manufacturer's instructions. Transfer to an airtight container and chill in freezer for at least 4 hours before serving.

Special equipment

ice cream maker

This Recipe Appears In

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
352 Calories
26g Fat
23g Carbs
8g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories 352
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 26g 33%
Saturated Fat 15g 76%
Cholesterol 231mg 77%
Sodium 203mg 9%
Total Carbohydrate 23g 8%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 22g
Protein 8g
Vitamin C 1mg 3%
Calcium 108mg 8%
Iron 1mg 5%
Potassium 176mg 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.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)