Making mochi ice cream is the perfect way to enjoy summer. If you enjoy ‘regular’ mochi, then you will love this.
They are essentially balls of dough filled with tasty ice cream. And while at first the recipe appears daunting, they are easy to make. Everyone will be impressed with how complex they look.
However, we won’t tell if you don’t!
If you are interested in making mochi ice cream, then you have arrived at the right place. Here we will guide you through the process. So, shall we get to it?
How Is Mochi Ice Cream Different From Mochi?
You may be more familiar with regular mochi. However, the frozen version is a chewy mochi dough encasing ice cream. Regular mochi may include red bean paste or even something like chocolate.
The outer case of mochi is made with glutinous rice. Traditionally this is created by pounding the rice until it turns chewy and dough-like.
Fortunately, you can buy readymade sweet rice flour to skip this step.
This is then filled with frozen ice cream. It was Frances Hashimoto who first began producing ice cream mochi in America in the 1990s. She is also said to be the first person to make it.
Some common flavors of mochi ice cream include matcha, red bean, mango, chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry.
More often than not, the color of the sweet flavored dough matches the ice cream flavor inside. For example the mochi will be pink in color to represent its strawberry ice cream flavor.
Step-By-Step: How To Make Mochi Ice Cream
Making mochi ice cream is not difficult. As a first timer, you will find that the process is relatively simple.
In fact, if you have kids, this is something you can do together. It is a great way to teach them about Japanese snacks, too!
Here is a quick step-by-step guide on how to make mochi ice cream:
Items You Will Need
A small sized tray
Sheet tray
Ice cream scoop
Bowl safe to be used in the microwave
Whisk
Spatula (rubber is best)
Rolling pin
Plastic wrap
Parchment paper
Ingredients You Will Need
1 and a half cups of (8oz) Ice cream
1 cup of (5 ½ oz) sweet glutinous rice flour (Japanese Shiratamako is a great choice)
1 cup of (8oz) water
1 quarter cup of (2oz) of granulated sugar
Cornstarch or potato starch
(Optional) food coloring
How To Make Mochi
Step 1
Prepare the tray by lining it with parchment paper.
Step 2
Using the ice cream scooper, remove 12 scoops of ice cream. Place them onto the tray and then put it into the freezer.
You can use a table spoon too if you would prefer. They need to be roughly 0.75oz each.
Step 3
Place the sweet rice flour, granulated sugar and water into the microwavable bowl. Combine them together.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place into the microwave for one whole minute.
Step 4
Take the bowl out of the microwave, remove the plastic wrap and stir with a whisk to remove some of the lumps.
Place the plastic wrap back over the bowl and let the ingredients be microwaved for another whole minute.
Step 5
Remove the bowl from the microwave and use a spatula to stir. You will want to avoid using the whisk at this point. The reason being is because the ingredients will be very sticky.
Using a rubber spatula is best, however it is fine to use what you have got.
Step 6
Place the plastic wrap over the bowl and place it into the microwave for 30 seconds. Once you remove it from the microwave it should be a glutinous dough.
If you are wanting to change the color of the dough, then add in some food color now. Work it through the dough to make sure the color is even.
Step 7
Place a big piece of the parchment paper over the counter and apply a dusting of cornstarch. Apply generously – don’t be afraid!
Step 8
Using a wet rubber spatula, scrape the mochi dough onto the area you have placed cornstarch. Apply more cornstarch to the dough.
Don’t be afraid to add extra cornstarch. You will need it in order for it to not be so sticky to work with.
Step 9
Use a rolling pin to roll the mochi dough into a rectangle. It needs to be at least one quarter of an inch in thickness.
During this step you may want to keep adding cornstarch. This will prevent the dough from sticking to the rolling pin.
Step 10
Now that you have the dough rolled out, place it carefully onto a sheet tray. Make sure to place parchment paper onto it first.
Place the sheet into the refrigerator for around 30 minutes.
Step 11
After 30 minutes, the dough should have set. Use a 3 and 3 quarter inch cookie cutter to cut out circles.
Step 12
Pick up a circle of dough. Remove any excess cornstarch. You will then need to work quickly!
Take the ice cream scoops from the freezer. Place a scoop in the center of the chosen circle of dough.
Pick up the edges of the circle and seal them together to make a ball.
Step 13
Once one ball has been created, cover it in plastic wrap and place it in the freezer with the seam facing downwards. Make sure it is secure.
You will then need to repeat steps 12 and 13 with all of the scoops of ice cream.
Step 14
Once you have completed making the ice cream mochi, let them sit in the freezer for at least 2 hours.
You do not need to remove them any earlier. If you do, they may not be set enough.
Step 15
When the time comes to consume the mochi ice cream, remove them from the freezer. Take them out of the plastic wrap.
Let the mochi sit at room temperature to soften. Now they are ready to eat!
How Should You Store Homemade Mochi Ice Cream?
Homemade mochi ice cream will last for around a week in the freezer. After that, you may find that the quality is not as good.
When it comes to mochi, fresher is best.
The best way to store them will be in an airtight container. This also avoids the dreaded freezer burn!
Just remember to let the mochi ice cream sit and rest at room temperature once you remove them from the freezer. This allows the ice cream to soften.
Final Thoughts
Making mochi ice cream is not difficult. While it will look impressive, it is easy to do. All you need is 5 ingredients and a little know-how to complete the task.
Mochi is a wonderful ‘old time’ Japanese snack. However, the ice cream version is a great modern take on it.
Fortunately, this recipe does not involve the traditional pounding of the rice. The rice flour is readily available for you to buy. Phew!
Have fun making mochi. Hopefully you will be making many different flavors to impress friends and family.
