Mochi Ice Cream

Is there anything yummier than sweet ice cream wrapped in pillow-soft dough? With this recipe, you can now make this frozen Japanese treat at home!

Makes 10 mochi balls

Ingredients:

1 pint ice cream of choice

      (we used green tea and strawberry)

1 cup glutinous rice flour1 cup water

1/4 cup sugar

4 drops food coloring to

      match ice cream flavor

      (we used green and red)

cornstarch, for dusting 

Instructions:

1  Using a #40 ice cream scooper or a scooper with a diameter of 1 1/2 inches, pre-scoop ice cream onto a prepared tray or baking sheet. Place in the freezer for at least 6 hours or overnight until thoroughly frozen. You should have 10 scoops.

2  Place glutinous rice flour in a microwavable bowl. Add water a little at a time, mixing continuously with a wooden spoon to prevent lumps.

3  Mix in sugar and food coloring until well combined. 

4  Cover bowl with plastic wrap and microwave on medium for 2 minutes.

5  Using a wooden spoon dipped in water, mix dough and place back in the microwave for another minute. The mixture is ready when it is smooth and shiny.

6  Dust work surface with cornstarch and place mochi dough on top. Work quickly with dough while it is still hot.

7  Dust rolling pin and hands with additional cornstarch then roll out dough until 1/4-inch-thick. Using a 3-inch round cookie cutter, cut the dough into circles. If the dough gets too dry while you are working with it, mix in a few teaspoons of water and place back in the microwave for a minute. 

8  Place mochi rounds between two layers of plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for 30 to 45 minutes or until cool to the touch.

9  Working quickly, wrap pre-scooped ice cream in chilled mochi rounds. Seal the bottom securely and dust with additional cornstarch. Freeze until ready to serve. This is best made a day before serving. 

Substitution tip: Use different ice cream flavors and different hues of food coloring to make any flavor of mochi ice cream. The same dough recipe can be used to make any mochi treat.