Go Back
+ servings
Three scoops of green ice cream stacked in a ceramic bowl.
Print

Vegan Matcha Ice Cream

Creamy vegan matcha ice cream made with coconut cream and soy milk. Smooth, earthy, and refreshing—perfect for a Japanese-inspired dessert.
Course Dessert
Cuisine Japanese
Prep Time 15 minutes
Chill + Churn + Freeze Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Servings 8 serves
Calories 487kcal

Equipment

  • Ice Cream Maker

Ingredients

  • 3 13.5 oz can coconut cream full-fat 3 × 13.5 oz (400 ml) cans full-fat coconut cream, chilled. Scoop out thick cream only (about 3½–4 cups / ~850 g total). Reserve the watery liquid for smoothies or discard.
  • 1⅛ cups granulated sugar approx. 225 g
  • 4-5 tsp matcha powder high-quality; sifted; 12–15 g
  • cups soy milk or oat milk unsweetened; neutral; ~360 ml
  • tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
  • tsp salt approx. 2g

Instructions

  • Freeze the ice cream maker bowl at least 24 hours in advance. Shake before using—if you hear liquid inside, freeze longer.
  • In a medium bowl, sift the matcha powder. Add 3–4 tablespoons of the soy or oat milk and stir into a smooth paste. Continue adding the milk in small splashes (about 3–4 tablespoons at a time), stirring until about ¾ cup has been incorporated and the mixture is silky and lump-free.
  • In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the remaining milk and sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves (do not boil). Remove from heat and whisk in the matcha paste until smooth and bright green.
  • Add the coconut cream, vanilla, and salt. Whisk to combine. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl or pitcher to remove any clumps.
  • Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or until very cold.
  • Whisk the chilled mixture, then pour it into the frozen ice cream maker bowl. Churn for 20–25 minutes, or until it reaches a soft-serve consistency.
  • Transfer to a loaf pan or airtight container. Cover tightly and freeze for 4–6 hours, or overnight, until firm.
  • Let the ice cream sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before scooping. For easier scooping, dip the scoop in hot water between each scoop.
  • Serve 1–2 scoops per bowl. For a Japanese-style presentation, dust lightly with extra sifted matcha powder and serve with a wooden spoon.

Notes

1) Coconut cream variability (what to buy and why it matters)
Not all cans separate into “thick cream and watery liquid,” and that affects texture.
  • Look for a short ingredient list: ideally coconut extract/cream + water (and maybe salt).
  • Avoid emulsifiers/stabilisers if you want reliable separation. On the ingredient panel, watch for things like:
    • guar gum
    • xanthan gum
    • gellan gum
    • carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC/cellulose gum)
    • lecithin
      These ingredients help keep the fat and water blended (which is useful for drinks), but they often stop the can from separating cleanly when chilled.
If your can doesn’t separate well:
  • Chill longer, and chill upside down.
  • If it’s still mostly liquid, use an extra can and scoop thick cream from the best-separated can(s).
  • If your coconut cream has emulsifiers and won’t separate, you can still make the recipe—just expect a slightly different texture, and chill the base very well before churning.
2) Matcha strength and bitterness
  • Use matcha that’s bright green and fresh-smelling. Dull, yellow-green matcha tends to taste more bitter.
  • For a balanced flavour, start at the lower end of the matcha range; for a stronger, more traditional intensity, use the higher end.
3) Freezer firmness (how to keep it scoopable)
Homemade vegan ice cream can freeze firmer than store-bought since it has no commercial stabilisers.
  • Always let it sit at room temp briefly before scooping.
  • For a softer scoop straight from the freezer, you can add a small splash of vodka to the base before chilling (optional). Vodka is neutral and helps reduce rock-hard freezing without making it taste boozy.
4) Storage
  • Store tightly sealed to limit ice crystals. Pressing parchment/baking paper directly on the surface helps.
  • Best within about a week for colour and flavour.

Nutrition

Calories: 487kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 33g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 124mg | Potassium: 409mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 274IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 74mg | Iron: 3mg