Miso Ice Cream Recipe | Delicious Salty & Sweet Combo
Miso is a unique and delicious Japanese ice cream flavor that is gaining popularity. It has a sweet, salty, nutty flavor that is unlike any other type of ice cream.
Those who’ve tried this ice cream flavor say it tastes like a cross between caramel, miso soup and a splash of soy sauce, so pretty strange, right?
Unlike sweet ice cream, this miso flavored delight can be served as a snack or a complement to dessert. It can also be topped with both sweet and salty garnishes.
If you can’t find this flavor at your favorite ice cream shop you can make it at home!
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Make your own Japanese miso ice cream at home
I’m sharing my best miso ice cream recipe and as long as you have an ice cream maker, you can make this treat in less than an hour!
Japanese Miso Paste Ice Cream
Equipment
- Ice-cream maker
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 5 ounces white miso paste
- 3 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 egg yolk large
- 11 ounces whole milk
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp toasted black or white sesame seeds optional garnish
Instructions
- Grab a medium sized saucepan and heat in on medium high heat. Add the milk, miso paste, honey, sugar, and salt. Combine and stir well.
- Keep stirring constantly until the mixture starts to boil. Do not boil though and remove the liquid from the heat.
- In a mixing bowl, place the egg yolk.
- Now pour the boiled milk mixture over the egg yolk and mix well.
- Use a whisk and add the whipping cream. Make sure the composition is well whisked together.
- Place the mixture into your ice cream maker machine. Follow the ice cream maker instructions.
- Once ready, garnish the miso ice cream with toasted white or black sesame seeds.
Cooking tips
It’s important to stir the mixture constantly while it nearly comes to a boil. This will ensure that your ice cream comes out smooth and creamy.
Here’s something super important to keep in mind: miso paste should not be cooked or boiled!
It’s a probiotic paste which means the healthy bacteria and nutritional benefits are destroyed by heat. So make sure to remove the saucepan from the heat before it comes to a boil.
Also, use whole milk instead of skim or 2% milk. This will make the ice cream texture creamy and delicious!
It’s important to whisk in the whipping cream gently. This will ensure that your ice cream doesn’t get a grainy texture.
If you want to enjoy the flavors of miso paste to the fullest, you can add some extra miso paste, but don’t overdo it!
Add some extra toppings like toasted sesame seeds, coconut flakes, or even some savory ingredients like crumbled bacon for a unique twist!
Substitutes and variations
In the recipe I used white miso paste because it has a sweeter, milder flavor than other types of miso paste.
But you can use any type of miso paste that you like.
Start by observing the miso’s color, which serves as a reliable predictor of its strength. Red miso is a bit saltier, yellow is mellow and sweet, and white is a combination of both.
The white miso gives the ice cream and yellowish color whereas the red miso paste will give it an orange-ish hue.
Shiro, or white miso in Japanese, is mellow and a little bit sweet. White miso typically includes more koji and less salt (mold).
I like shiro miso in my ice cream because it’s not as funky tasting.
Find out which miso paste is the best to buy
You can also add different ingredients to customize your miso ice cream.
Some ideas include adding fruits like mango, lychee, or kiwi; nuts like pistachios and almonds; and other flavors like matcha or yuzu.
The most popular addition to the miso is caramel because it gives the ice cream a rich and decadent flavor.
Adding caramel to the miso ice cream will give it an even more interesting flavor profile. You can use brown sugar or caramel sauce to achieve the miso-caramel combo.
You can also omit the honey and replace it with other sweeteners like maple syrup or agave nectar.
How to serve and eat
Miso ice cream is better when paired with another dessert.
An apple cobbler, a platter of gingersnaps, or a pear torte would all benefit from a small scoop of miso ice cream.
It could also be served alongside or stacked on top of your preferred Asian dessert or dessert with an Asian influence.
A popular pairing is miso ice cream with sake-poached cranberries and some sesame-crisp pear. The sweet and savory combination makes the miso ice cream taste amazing.
You can also top the ice cream with your favorite liquid toppings like chocolate sauce, fruit sauce, or honey.
Or you can go the savory route and top it with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds, bonito flakes, or a drizzle of soy sauce.
Miso ice cream is a unique flavor and a great way to round out your dessert course. So, why not give it a try? It’s sure to be a hit!
How to store leftovers
As you can guess, the leftover miso ice cream must be stored in the freezer, and keeps for up to 2 months.
Be sure to cover it completely with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and label the container with the date you made the ice cream.
Once it’s thawed out, the texture can become grainy and unappetizing.
You can also store the ice cream in a zip-lock bag or an airtight container that’s labeled. This will help keep the ice cream from absorbing other flavors from your freezer.
If you’re looking for a way to enjoy the miso ice cream on the go, you can also scoop the ice cream into popsicle molds and freeze them for a refreshing treat!
Similar dishes
There are some other odd flavors of Japanese ice cream out there. One interesting option is kinako ice cream, which is made with ground and roasted soybeans.
Matcha green tea ice cream is also popular and it’s made with high-grade matcha powder.
It’s also less sweet than other flavors, so it’s a great option for those who prefer less sweet desserts.
Another fun option is yuzu ice cream. It has a citrusy flavor and can be topped with toasted black sesame seeds or crumbled mochi rice balls (here’s how you can make your own mochi balls).
Other interesting flavors include black sesame, red beans, soy sauce, and chestnut purée.
If you can’t find these strange flavors in stores near you, don’t worry! You can always try making them at home using your favorite miso paste and other ingredients.
It’s a fun and creative way to explore different flavors and create something unique from scratch.
Takeaway
Miso ice cream is a unique and delicious dessert that you can make from home.
It has a sweet, savory flavor with a hint of umami and a creamy texture. You can customize it with different ingredients and toppings to make it your own.
It pairs well with other desserts and can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months.
The savory flavor of miso ice cream is a fun and interesting way to explore different flavors. So, why not give it a try?
Check out our new cookbook
Bitemybun's family recipes with complete meal planner and recipe guide.
Try it out for free with Kindle Unlimited:
Read for free
Joost Nusselder, the founder of Bite My Bun is a content marketer, dad and loves trying out new food with Japanese food at the heart of his passion, and together with his team he's been creating in-depth blog articles since 2016 to help loyal readers with recipes and cooking tips.
