Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a saucepan, combine heavy cream and milk. Heat the mixture over medium heat until it’s warm but not boiling. This step is crucial; you want it warm enough to extract the flavors from the tea without scalding the milk.
- Once warm, remove the saucepan from heat. Add the chai tea bags and let them steep for about 35 to 45 minutes. The longer you steep, the more intense the flavor will be. Feel free to taste it along the way!
- After steeping, carefully discard the tea bags, allowing the aroma of the chai to linger in the air. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar until well combined and slightly frothy. This adds air to the mixture, contributing to a lighter ice cream.
- Now, it's time to combine the mixtures. Gradually reheat the milk and cream mixture again, and slowly incorporate one cup into the whisked egg yolks. This step is called tempering and is essential to avoid scrambling the eggs.
- Once the egg yolks are warmed up, pour the entire mixture back into the saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring continuously. You want to heat until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon, which should take about 5 minutes. Keep stirring to prevent the eggs from cooking.
- When thickened, strain the mixture into a bowl to remove any lumps and ensure a smooth texture. This step is important for that luxurious mouthfeel we’re aiming for.
- Next, set the bowl inside a larger bowl filled with ice. This creates an ice bath that will cool the mixture quickly. Let it cool here, stirring occasionally, then transfer it to the refrigerator to chill completely, about two hours.
- Once chilled, follow your ice cream maker’s instructions to churn the mixture. Typically, this involves pouring the mixture into a pre-frozen bowl and churning for about 15 to 20 minutes until it reaches the desired consistency.
- After churning, transfer the soft ice cream to a freezer-safe bowl. Cover it and freeze for 4 to 6 hours or until completely firm. This step ensures that your ice cream has the perfect scoopable texture.
- Finally, when you’re ready to enjoy, scoop out the creamy Chai Tea Ice Cream into bowls or cones and indulge in this delightful treat!
Notes
Store leftover ice cream in an airtight container to prevent freezer burn. This keeps your ice cream fresh and creamy for longer.