Strawberry Matcha Frozen Dessert: Creamy and Refreshing Treat

A healthy dessert that's easy to make and easy on the eyes? Boy, do we have a treat for you!

This creamy strawberry matcha frozen dessert combines tart, sweet and earthy flavors thanks to fresh strawberries and ceremonial matcha powder—ingredients that are also good sources of vitamin C and polyphenol-rich green tea.

And with their vibrant, contrasting colors, these two superfoods make it easy to celebrate clean eating and mindful indulgence.

So go ahead, clear off some space on your countertop (and in your freezer) to prepare this strawberry matcha frozen dessert. And leave your guilt at the door: This plant-based recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free and uses no eggs or refined sugar.

What is strawberry matcha?

Strawberry matcha is a flavorful pairing of strawberry with matcha tea. It combines the natural sweetness of fresh strawberries with the earthy, slightly bitter richness of matcha green tea powder. This flavor trend has taken over coffee shops (and social media feeds) as the trendy iced strawberry matcha latte, but that doesn't mean you can't also enjoy it in yogurt, ice cream, cake or pancakes, and of course, this frozen dessert!

Why do strawberries and matcha go together?

Strawberry matcha is about balance. Strawberries offer a touch of acidity, and a bright, fruity flavor. Matcha, on the other hand, creates a grounded, calming effect with its more subtle sweetness. It's not just about taste, either; this nutrient combination offers a beautiful color contrast (no doubt you've seen the preppy pink-and-green drinks all over your social media feeds.)

What are the nutritional benefits of strawberry matcha?

The nutrients in this pairing each offer impressive benefits:

• Strawberries are rich in vitamin C, which supports immune health and collagen production, and they contain fiber to promote healthy digestion and antioxidants like fisetin that fight the effects of free radicals in your cells.
• Matcha, made from finely ground green tea leaves, provides a gentle caffeine boost and a bit of L-theanine, an amino acid that promotes calm focus. It also contains the health-promoting polyphenol EGCG, which supports cell health, metabolic and immune system function, and brain and heart health.

This frozen dessert offers a delicious way to treat yourself while nourishing your body.

How to Make a Strawberry Matcha Frozen Dessert

No cooking is needed to make this frozen dessert, but it will need time in the freezer to set and be thawed slightly before serving.

Additionally, we recommend having a food scale handy as the ingredients are listed out according to weight rather than volume.

This recipe makes 10 servings.

Ingredients

For the base/crust

• 95 grams of raw almonds
• 110 grams of pitted medjool dates
• Pinch of sea salt

For the matcha layer

• 175 grams of raw cashews (soaked 1 hour in hot water, drained)
• 90 grams coconut milk (use the thick part from coconut milk can)
  Note: you can also use any other plant-based milk (almond, soy, oat)
• 60 grams maple syrup (or agave)
• 25 grams of coconut oil, melted (use at room temperature, not while it is hot)
• 1.5 tsp high-quality matcha (ceremonial preferred)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

For the strawberry layer

• 175 grams of raw cashews (soaked 1 hour in hot water, drained)
• 145 grams fresh strawberries (or frozen, thawed and drained)
• 50 grams maple syrup (or agave)
• 20 grams coconut oil, melted (use at room temperature, not while it is very hot)
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• Pinch of salt

Preparation

Make the base/crust

1. Prepare a 6" round or square pan with parchment paper at the bottom and walls of the mold.
2. In a food processor, blend the almonds until they become small but not fully crushed.
3. Add the pitted dates and salt to the almonds and process until just blended with the almonds.
4. Do not overprocess. You do not want a paste.
5. Remove the base crust from the food processor and transfer to the prepared pan.
6. Press the crust to cover the pan evenly with your hands or with the help of a spoon or spatula.

Make the matcha layer

1. To a high-speed blender, add the soaked and drained cashews, coconut milk (or milk of choice), liquid sweetener, vanilla and salt. Blend on high until smooth.
2. To the blended mixture, add the matcha green tea powder and vanilla.
3. Blend at a low speed until fully combined and you reach that beautiful green color.
4. Finally, add the melted coconut oil and blend on medium speed until fully combined.
5. Taste the mixture. If you want a stronger matcha flavor, stir in 1 more teaspoon of matcha at a time.
6. Pour the matcha layer on top of the prepared base/crust.
7. Place the pan into the freezer for at least 45 minutes. You need the matcha layer to be a little firm before you pour the strawberry layer.

Make the strawberry layer

1. To a high-speed blender, add soaked and drained cashews, strawberries, liquid sweetener, lemon juice and salt. Blend on high until smooth.
2. Add the melted coconut oil and blend on medium speed until fully combined.
3. Pour the strawberry cream on top of the chilled matcha layer.
4. Place the pan into the freezer and allow it to set overnight or at least 8 hours.

Prepare your strawberry matcha dessert for serving

1. Remove the pan from the freezer and unmold by pulling out the parchment paper.
   Note: If it is hard to pull, allow the pan to defrost a little on your kitchen counter and try again.
2. Place the frozen dessert onto a plate and transfer it to the refrigerator to allow it to defrost for 3-4 hours, so it is easier to cut into slices.
3. Once defrosted, remove from the refrigerator, cut into 10 slices and enjoy.
4. If you are feeling fancy, you can top the dessert with slices of fresh strawberries or dust matcha powder on top.

Nutritional values per serving

• Calories: 385
• Fat: 28 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 60 mg

All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods and portion sizes.

How should I store the strawberry matcha frozen dessert?

You can store this dessert in the refrigerator or freezer for optimal freshness.

• Room temperature: Only to bring to cool from frozen for a creamier consistency, 10-15 minutes.
• Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
• Freezer: Store in airtight container for up to a month.

Does a matcha dessert get you enough green tea extract?

While treats like green tea cupcakes and this strawberry matcha dessert have a place in your wellness journey, nutritional supplements can help you obtain the health benefits of green tea more consistently and without the added sugar of a dessert or iced matcha latte.

A standardized green tea extract is also a great way to ensure you're getting more health-promoting EGCG in a lightly caffeinated supplement than several cups of green tea.

Green tea supplements support healthy aging, with particular benefits for cellular, cardiovascular and cognitive health. The green tea extract in daily supplements is a powerful antioxidant that helps promote a healthy inflammatory response and supports healthy cell proliferation.

Green tea has also been studied for other health benefits, including:

• Promotes a healthy immune system response
• Helps maintain already-healthy cholesterol levels and blood flow
• Encourages smooth, healthy skin
• Contributes to healthy weight management

With its support for whole-body health, green tea makes an excellent addition to your table.

References

• "Strawberries, raw." U.S. Department of Agriculture. October 2022. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-details/2346409/nutrients
• Truong VL, et al. "Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory roles of tea polyphenols in inflammatory bowel diseases." Food Science and Human Wellness. May 2022. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213453021001361
• Wang S, et al. "Immunomodulatory Effects of Green Tea Polyphenols." Molecules. June 2021. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34203004/