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Black sesame ice cream may not be a conventional flavor here in the United States, but it should definitely get more attention. There are so many flavors of ice cream out there that are not sold in the everyday grocery store.
While the traditional flavors are delicious (and favorites for good reason), Alex and I wanted to try a flavor that was completely new to both of us.
I had never heard of black sesame ice cream until we were looking up Japanese dessert recipes. Every week, we get together with our friends and have a themed food night (it used to be a game night with a potluck style dinner, but now we just focus on the food).
This week’s theme was Asian cuisine, and we stumbled upon a recipe for making ice cream with black sesame seeds. Since we have the Ninja Creami, we figured we could come up with our own version of the recipe and use the machine to make a quick and easy dessert.
Thankfully, we were able to use the same base as our coriander and parsley ice cream, we just had to add black sesame seeds instead of the herbs and spices.
You may think putting black sesame seeds in your ice cream seems strange, but give it a try! Sometimes the best ice cream flavors are the ones we don’t expect. While this recipe didn’t turn out to be quite so quick for us thanks to having a 30-year-old stove, it was worth the wait.
This recipe is especially for you if you like sesame mochi. The toasted sesame flavor really shines in this ice cream and will have you coming back for seconds (and thirds)!
To Make Dairy-Free Black Sesame Ice Cream, Use the Following:
- 1 tbsp vegan cream cheese for 1 tbsp cream cheese
- 1 cup oat milk for 1 cup whole milk
- 3/4 cup cream of coconut for 3/4 cup heavy cream
First Time Using the Ninja Creami or Looking for Tips?
While the Ninja Creami is a machine with only 7 (or 11) buttons, it can still be intimidating! Here are a few tips and tricks Alex and I have picked up since beginning our ice cream journey with the Ninja Creami!
- Can I use regular sesame seeds? Yes, you can! If you have difficulty finding black sesame seeds, regular sesame seeds should provide the same flavor. The only difference will be the color of the ice cream. The black sesame seeds give the ice cream a gray tint and black speckles.
- If I put the pint back into the freezer, do I need to mix the ice cream up again before enjoying? Surprisingly, no! When using the typical base ingredients (whole milk, heavy cream), re-spinning is probably best to get the ice cream back to its original creamy consistency after freezing. However, we have found when using oat milk and cream of coconut, our first spin leaves the ice cream very creamy (almost like a soft-serve texture). After putting it in the freezer for 24 hours after this original spin, the ice cream is the perfect texture to enjoy without re-spinning! My suggestion is see how the texture is without a re-spin, and re-spin only as necessary!
- What button should I use to spin my ice cream? This all depends on the consistency you’re going for! Each button operates the machine at varying speeds. For thicker concoctions (like ice cream), the ice cream button is best. However, if using eggs in the recipe (like a gelato), use the gelato button! The sorbet button is best used with fruit mixtures. For example, if mixing a can of pineapples in heavy syrup, use the sorbet button to make a delicious fruity creation! Overall, it’s something you can experiment with to find your personal preference for your ice cream consistency!
Looking for More Ninja Creami Recipes?
If you’re on the hunt for more Ninja Creami recipes, be sure to grab one of our recipe e-books, Top 25 Ninja Creami Recipes ($2.99), or the great value of over 50 recipes in Ninja Creami Cookbook: Ice Cream & Gelato Edition! Each includes favorites such as cake batter gelato, red velvet ice cream, Shirley Temple ice cream, and many more!
If you’re like us and are running out of ice cream storage containers, grab a two-pack of Ninja Creami pints to keep your freezer full with all of your ice cream creations!
Or if you don’t have a Ninja Creami and are on the fence about getting one, check out my honest review!
Do You Want to Make Your Own Ninja Creami Cookbook?
If you want to make your own version of a Ninja Creami cookbook, check out our Ninja Creami Recipe Page Template! Besides the fun design, it has space to write the spin setting, number of servings, ingredients, directions, and notes (everything a Creami recipe needs)!
Ninja Creami Black Sesame Ice Cream
Description
Black sesame seeds might not be an object you would think to throw in ice cream. But after a taste, you might just change your mind. This recipe combines the creaminess of ice cream with the toasted sesame flavor of the black sesame seeds, providing a fun pop of flavor in every bite.
Pro Tip: Black sesame seeds can be found on Amazon at the link here!
To make this recipe in the Ninja Creami Deluxe, multiply all ingredients by 1.5
Note: 1 serving = 1 pint
Ingredients
Instructions
Pour 1/4 cup black sesame seeds into a frying pan. Toast on low until the seeds begin sizzling and become fragrant.
Once the seeds are sizzling, remove them from heat and grind them in a mortar and pestle (you may have to do it in a few batches). The mixture will begin to look like a paste. This releases the flavor of the black sesame seeds.
If you don't have a mortar and pestle, the same result can likely be achieved by grinding the seeds in a food processor. I have not used this method and cannot say it will be the exact same, it is just an educated guess.
Place 1 tbsp cream cheese in a medium bowl and microwave for 5-10 seconds. If the cream cheese was in the fridge, these 5-10 seconds in the microwave will help soften it up to mix well with the other ingredients.
- Combine cream cheese with 1 tsp vanilla extract and 1/3 cup granulated sugar. Whisk until the ingredients are mixed together.
- Whisk the black sesame seeds/paste into the mixture until fully combined.
Slowly whisk in 1 cup whole milk and 3/4 cup heavy cream. The final mixture should be a gray color with black specks (sesame seeds).
Pour the mixture into a Ninja Creami pint container, ensuring it does not go over the max fill line.
Freeze the pint for 24 hours, making sure it is placed on a flat surface in the freezer.
After 24 hours, remove the pint from the freezer, and plug in your Ninja Creami machine! Time for the magic.
Remove the lid from the pint and grab the Ninja Creami outer bowl. Place the pint securely into the outer bowl and cover with the lid. Once the lid is on, place the outer bowl into the machine, twisting to the right until it locks into place. Press the "Ice Cream" button and (try to) wait patiently for the creamy treat coming your way.
Once the process is finished, press and hold the button on the left side of the Creami to twist the bowl to the left and remove it from the machine. Twist the lid off of the outer bowl and remove the pint.
(Optional): Top with a sprinkle of black sesame seeds for some extra flavor.
Now your black sesame ice cream is ready to enjoy!
Recommended Mix-Ins
We thought the sesame seeds were mix-in enough for this recipe, but feel free to try any mix-ins and let us know how they taste!
Note
If you don't like following recipes, don't worry - you can customize it however you want! We personally use oat milk and coconut cream to avoid most of the dairy, and it's some of the best ice cream we've ever had. The Ninja Creami provides so many options, you're bound to find a flavor you love!
If you liked this recipe, make sure to check out our seasonal pumpkin pie ice cream here.
If I were to use black sesame paste how much would I use and would that eliminate the need for the cream cheese?
I would just add the paste in, no subs! I would start with 1 teaspoon of black sesame paste and see if you like the flavor once it’s all mixed together. The cream cheese is still necessary as a stabilizer for the ice cream.