Making black sesame ice cream at home is surprisingly straightforward. Follow these step-by-step instructions to create your own batch of this unique and delicious frozen dessert:

1. Toast the Sesame Seeds: Begin by toasting the black sesame seeds. This crucial step intensifies their nutty flavor and aroma. Place the sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat. Toast for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until they become fragrant and slightly more brittle. Be careful not to burn them, as burnt sesame seeds will taste bitter. You’ll know they’re ready when they start to jump and pop slightly and release a noticeable toasted aroma. Once toasted, immediately remove them from the hot skillet and let them cool completely. This prevents them from continuing to cook and potentially burning.
2. Grind the Sesame Seeds: Once the toasted sesame seeds are fully cooled, it’s time to grind them into a paste. A food processor or a high-powered blender works best for this. Place the cooled sesame seeds in the food processor or blender and process until they form a smooth, thick paste. This may take a few minutes, and you may need to scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally to ensure even grinding. The goal is to release the oils from the sesame seeds and create a cohesive paste. If the paste seems too dry, you can add a teaspoon of neutral oil (like vegetable or canola oil), but usually, the natural oils in the sesame seeds are sufficient.
3. Combine Dairy and Sugar: In a large bowl, combine the heavy cream, whole milk, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Whisk together until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is well combined. You don’t need to whip the cream at this stage, just ensure everything is mixed smoothly.
4. Incorporate Sesame Paste: Add the black sesame paste to the cream mixture. Whisk thoroughly until the sesame paste is fully incorporated and the mixture is a uniform, pale grey color. Ensure there are no streaks of sesame paste remaining; you want a smooth, consistent base for your ice cream. At this stage, you can taste the mixture and adjust the sweetness if needed, keeping in mind that the flavors will mellow slightly once frozen.
5. Chill the Mixture (Optional but Recommended): For optimal texture, it’s recommended to chill the ice cream base in the refrigerator for at least 2-4 hours, or even overnight. This allows the flavors to meld together and the mixture to cool down thoroughly, which will result in a smoother ice cream with fewer ice crystals. If you’re in a hurry, you can skip this step, but chilling is definitely beneficial.
6. Churn the Ice Cream (If Using an Ice Cream Maker): If you are using an ice cream maker, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to churn the ice cream. Pour the chilled ice cream base into your ice cream maker and churn until it reaches a soft-serve consistency. This usually takes around 20-30 minutes, depending on your machine.
7. No-Churn Method (If Not Using an Ice Cream Maker): If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you can easily make this ice cream using the no-churn method. Simply pour the ice cream base into a freezer-safe container (a loaf pan or a similar container works well). Cover the container tightly with plastic wrap, pressing the wrap directly onto the surface of the ice cream to prevent ice crystals from forming. Freeze for at least 6-8 hours, or preferably overnight, until solid.
8. Freeze to Firm Up: Whether you churned the ice cream or used the no-churn method, the ice cream will likely be at a soft-serve consistency after churning or initially freezing. To achieve a firmer, scoopable texture, transfer the ice cream (if churned) to a freezer-safe container and freeze for an additional 2-3 hours, or until it reaches your desired firmness. For no-churn ice cream, ensure it freezes completely solid, which may take longer.
9. Scoop and Serve: Once the ice cream is frozen to your liking, let it soften slightly at room temperature for about 5-10 minutes before scooping. This will make it easier to scoop and create beautiful, smooth scoops. Serve immediately and enjoy the unique and delightful flavor of your homemade black sesame ice cream!