How to Make the Perfect Hojicha Soft Serve
Japanese · Medium · 35 min · 4 servings
This hojicha soft serve delivers a toasty roasted tea flavor wrapped in a smooth creamy frozen base. It captures the cozy warmth of Japanese hojicha in a cool refreshing dessert.
Why this recipe works
This Hojicha Soft Serve recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 35 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 310 calories with 5g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 8 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3 tbsp hojicha powder
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar
- 4 large egg yolks
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 pinch sea salt
- 2 tbsp sweetened condensed milk
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Make the Hojicha Custard Base
In a medium saucepan warm the heavy cream and whole milk over medium heat until just steaming. Whisk in the hojicha powder until fully dissolved with no lumps. Remove from heat.
Step 2: Temper the Egg Yolks
In a bowl whisk egg yolks and sugar together until pale and thick. Slowly pour a ladleful of the warm hojicha cream into the yolks while whisking constantly to temper them. Pour the tempered yolk mixture back into the saucepan.
Step 3: Cook the Custard
Return the saucepan to medium-low heat and stir constantly with a wooden spoon until the custard thickens enough to coat the back of the spoon, about 8 minutes. Do not let it boil. Stir in vanilla, salt, and condensed milk. Strain through a fine mesh sieve.
Step 4: Chill and Churn
Let the custard cool to room temperature then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. Churn in an ice cream maker according to manufacturer instructions until it reaches a soft serve consistency, about 20 to 25 minutes.
Step 5: Serve Immediately
Transfer the soft serve to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip and pipe into cones or cups in a swirling motion. Dust with a little extra hojicha powder and serve right away for best texture.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- hojicha powder → matcha powder for a classic green tea soft serve
- heavy cream → full fat coconut cream for a dairy free option
- egg yolks → 2 tbsp of cornstarch dissolved in milk for an egg free custard
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Boiling the custard which causes the eggs to scramble and creates a grainy texture
- Skipping the chilling step which leads to ice crystals and a coarse texture when churned
- Using brewed hojicha tea instead of powder which results in a watery base that does not freeze properly
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 310 calories, 5g protein, 30g carbs, 19g fat, 0g fiber.
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