Ingredients
Bingsu Base
- 2 cups milk (preferably low fat)
- 2 cups cold water
- 2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
Toppings
- Sweetened condensed milk (for drizzling)
- Fruits such as chopped or sliced strawberries, mango, and melons
- Injeolmi (Korean rice cakes)
- Sweetened red bean
- Ice cream (choose your favorite flavor)
- Sweetened whipped cream
- Universal grade matcha powder
- Nuts (such as chopped almonds or walnuts)
Instructions
- Make the Bingsu Base: Mix together the milk, cold water, and 2 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk until well combined, creating the creamy base for the shaved ice.
- Prepare Ice Pucks (Shaved Ice Machine Method): Pour the bingsu base mixture into the ice puck container of your shaved ice machine. Freeze until completely solid, about 4 to 6 hours. Depending on your machine’s capacity, you may need to freeze multiple pucks.
- Shave the Ice: Once the frozen milk pucks are ready, shave them according to your shaved ice machine’s instructions into fine fluffy flakes.
- Alternative Blender Method: Pour the bingsu base into ice cube trays and freeze for 3 to 4 hours until solid. Once frozen, pulse the cubes in a blender or food processor until fine flakes form.
- Alternative Freezer Bag Method: Pour the bingsu base into a gallon size resealable freezer bag and freeze flat until solid. Once frozen, break the bag to loosen the ice, then use a rolling pin to beat and crush the ice into fine pieces.
- Prepare Toppings: Make sure all your desired toppings like fruits, injeolmi, sweetened red bean, ice cream, whipped cream, matcha powder, and nuts are ready and prepped before assembling.
- Assemble the Bingsu: Transfer the shaved ice or crushed ice flakes into a serving bowl. Drizzle with sweetened condensed milk. Arrange your chosen toppings over and around the shaved ice. For a layered effect, add toppings in the middle, then more shaved ice topped with additional garnishes.
Notes
- The texture of the shaved ice depends on freezing time and method; for best results use a shaved ice machine when possible.
- Customize toppings to your preference; traditional ingredients include sweetened red bean and injeolmi rice cakes.
- Use low-fat milk to reduce calories, or substitute with plant-based milk for a vegan version but note that this may affect texture.
- Freezing the milk mixture flat in a bag creates easier-to-crush ice compared to irregular chunks.
- Serve immediately after assembly to prevent the ice from melting too quickly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 to 6 hours freezing time
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Freezing and Shaving
- Cuisine: Korean
- Diet: Low Fat
