Simply follow this recipe to learn how to make mochi ice cream from scratch. You can create these fabulous frozen mochi balls at home using your favorite ice cream.
Scoop out the ice cream into smaller portions and place them in a muffin tin (you can use an ice cream scoop for this). Transfer to the freezer while you make the dough (this will help you work with the ice cream quicker when forming the mochi balls - instead of working with the whole container).
Add the rice flour, sugar and water to a bowl and mix until it has dissolved completely.
Cover with plastic wrap and heat it on high heat in the microwave for 1 minute.
Take it out and stir carefully with a spatula. Cover again and cook for 1 more minute at high heat. Stir again with the spatula and cook for 1 more minute (for a total of 3 minutes).
Cover the work surface and your hands with cornstarch (be generous with it). Transfer the cooked mochi to the work surface. Cover the dough completely with more cornstarch and roll it until flat (about 2 mm thick).
Cut circles out of the dough using a cookie cutter. Pile the circles on top of each other, separating them with plastic wrap so they don’t stick (add more cornstarch if needed). You should get approximately 10 circles in total.
Scoop an ice cream portion out and place it over one of the dough circles.
Close the circle with the help of the plastic wrap and place it on a tray. Repeat for the rest of them.
Freeze for 30 more minutes.
Remove the plastic wrap and serve!
Video
Notes
I used a cutter that had a diameter of 11 cm (4.5 inches).
I recommend working in a cool kitchen for best results, so that the ice cream doesn't melt too quickly.
Although the color of the ice cream will show through the dough a little, you could also try adding food coloring to the dough for something a little more vibrant.
There isn’t an exact amount of ice cream to use. You can use a spoon or cookie scoop to scoop the amount that fits into the mochi dough circle.
You can eat mochi ice cream frozen by hand, after thawing for about one minute to let the dough soften. You can also cut it into pieces or in half, but eat it up quickly before the ice cream melts!
The mochi can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 to 4 months but make sure to cover it well and place in a freezer bag.