Homemade Peppermint Ice Cream
Homemade Peppermint Ice Cream is fun and tasty with this easy recipe. Perfect for a holiday dessert or anytime!
Peppermint ice cream has always had a special place in my heart. For one thing, it’s a perfect flavor for holiday noshing. Yes, even in a chilly climate, Wisconsin eats ice cream all year!
But it’s even more special if it comes about as a special Christmas gift
You see, I always enjoyed peppermint ice cream, but it wasn’t something you could readily find in the stores. So when my younger (always broke) brother asked what I wanted for Christmas, I told him I’d like crushed candy canes.
He made a small financial investment in candy canes, then a big labor investment crushing them in time for Christmas. And mixed with vanilla ice cream, it made delicious peppermint ice cream that I enjoyed all winter! A perfect win-win!
And I still love it today—especially homemade!
Why You’ll Love Homemade!
Yes, I know… Homemade Ice Cream is a lot more work than buying it in the store. And now that I’ve given you the crushed peppermint hack (that is, vanilla ice cream plus crushed peppermint), you have even less reason to go the extra mile.
But there’s something special about making your own, well, almost anything! Besides controlling the ingredients (it’s organic milk and extracts for me), you can get whatever flavor you want.
More importantly, I have extra DIY motivation since being diagnosed as pre-diabetic. Now I can use sugar substitute for a lower carb, healthier ice cream. (This does impact hardness some, but not too significantly.)
Type of Ice Cream Maker
Now for years I used a frozen tub ice cream maker which works great as long as you remember to pre-freeze the tub and only want to make one batch. But about a year ago I graduated to a compressor style machine. I managed to find one under $200 and since I make a lot of ice cream it was worth it.
I recommend starting with the freezer tub style. Then if you find yourself making a lot of ice cream consider taking the plunge!
Step by Step Overview
Combine dry ingredients, except peppermint candy, in a small bowl and stir until well combined.
Combine liquid ingredients in the blender. Blend briefly on low then with blender still running, gradually add dry ingredients.
Freeze according to your ice cream makers instructions.
When ice cream is frozen transfer to storage contain and gently fold in crushed peppermint
Can be eaten at this point, but may be better if frozen overnight.
Variations
Color. My personal favorite “color” for peppermint ice cream is a natural vanilla color flecked with bits of red and white peppermint candy. I love how this pays homage to both the vanilla and peppermint notes in the mix. But looking online, pink seems to be more popular.
Happily, it’s easy to go natural with a pink color–just look for a natural food coloring, which will likely be derived from beets. And recently I picked up some beet powder for smoothies and a pinch of that worked perfectly with zero beet flavor. I’ve even successfully dyed things with a little beet juice.
Ideas for Serving.
This is lovely simply scooped up into a dish, maybe topped with some extra crushed peppermint or a candy cane.
And we enjoy ice cream cones all year round. The cone is only about 50 calories (check) and stretches a modest amount of ice cream into a full-fledged treat.
But my favorite is topped with homemade hot fudge sauce. That extra bit of richness feels so indulgent
And one final way I like to serve this to a crowd is as an ice cream pie frozen into a chocolate cookie crust.
Tips & FAQs
It might seem surprising to see vanilla figure so prominently, but it can really make a difference in a recipe. Especially when using mint which takes on a more mellow and nuanced character with vanilla added.
The guar gum affects the consistency of the ice cream but is optional. It gives the mouthfeel a little chew since it has some “stretch”. If you omit it, which is perfectly acceptable, the final product will feel more like gelato with a very clean melt in the mouth.
I am trying to use less plastic and recently found a metal bento box with a silicone lining that I’m using to store my ice cream. It’s just the right size and should be very durable. So far I love it!
More Christmas Sweets Recipes:
- Gingerbread Cupcakes from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- Pumpkin Bread Pudding from A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Church Window Candy from Jen Around the World
- Reindeer Chocolate Bark from Blogghetti
- Cranberry Apple Walnut Crumb Bars from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
Peppermint Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoon nonfat dry milk powder aka powdered milk
- ½ cup sugar or allulose plus 2 squirts stevia – did halfsies trial 6
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon guar gum optional
- 1/8-1/4 teaspoon beet powder or powdered food coloring optional
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- A few drops liquid pink food coloring optional
- 2 Tablespoons crushed peppermint candy from about 4 circle candies
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix the dry milk powder, sugar, salt, guar gum (if using) and powdered coloring (if using).
- In a blender combine milk, cream, vanilla, peppermint extract and liquid coloring if using. Blend briefly on low then with blender still running, gradually add dry ingredients.
- Freeze according to your ice cream makers instructions.
- When frozen, transfer to storage container, then fold in chopped peppermint candy.
- May be eaten at this point, but freezing overnight is recommended.
Nutrition
Homemade peppermint ice cream is such a festive treat!
This is my best friend‘s favorite ice cream, so I will be making this for him at Christmas time. Thanks for a fun recipe!
What a cute story about your brother! I always grab peppermint bits when I find them in the store. Peppermint ice cream is one of my favorite flavors. Great recipe.
Thanks! And hot tip–my daughter just found the crushed peppermint at Marshalls!
One of my favorite flavors from our local ice cream shop. Can’t wait to make this at home!
Being in Michigan, we also eat ice cream in cold weather, and this is perfect for the season. Thanks.