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This Peppermint Ice Cream recipe may be one of the creamiest ice creams you will ever make. It is peppermint perfection and so pretty too!
Peppermint Stick Ice Cream
Peppermint Ice Cream is a tradition and a favorite dessert at our house. My husband grew up making it every New Year’s Eve with all the leftover Christmas candy canes.
The pretty pink color comes from the candy canes dissolving into the ice cream as it churns.
For lots of peppermint flavor, the ice cream uses a combination of peppermint extract and crushed up candy cane. Be sure and save a little crushed peppermint to serve on top of the ice cream.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Besides being delicious, it’s easy. The recipe doesn’t contain any eggs so there is no need to make and cook a custard base. That also means there is no need to chill it before processing the ice cream!
This recipe is quick, easy and delicious!
Ingredients Needed
- Whole milk
- Half & Half (see notes below)
- Heavy cream
- Sugar
- Salt
- Vanilla extract
- Peppermint extract. Use peppermint extract NOT mint extract. There is a definite difference in flavor. Mint extract is great but not for this ice cream.
- Candy Cane or crushed peppermint candy
What Is Half And Half?
I am often asked what half and half is. It is a combination of whole milk and whipping cream. If you don’t have half and half where you live (I think it may be an American thing) just use more whipping cream and whole milk in place of the half and half – a 1:1 ratio. But if you can buy half and half, I highly recommend doing so.
How to Make Homemade Peppermint Ice Cream
- Mix together milks and sugar in a bowl. Stir well.
- Whisk in salt, and extracts.
- Add in crushed candy canes, (see tip below) reserving some to sprinkle on top.
- Pour into ice cream maker and churn according to manufacturer’s instructions.
- Freeze in an airtight insulated container in the freezer to allow it to set up.
Tips from Leigh Anne
- Crush the peppermint candy in a food processor or place it in a zippered bag and pound it with a hammer or mallet. I like to crush it until it is about 1/2 powder and 1/2 small pieces of peppermint.
- If you want more crunch to your ice cream, process the ice cream and add the peppermint candy in the last 5 minutes or churning, that way less of it will dissolve into the ice cream as it churns and leave more chunks of peppermint.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will homemade ice cream last in the freezer?
Stored in an airtight, insulated ice cream container it will last for a couple of weeks.
Do I have to use an ice cream maker?
This homemade ice cream recipe is designed to be made in an ice cream maker and is not meant to be a no churn ice cream.
What kind of ice cream maker do you use?
I use a Cuisinart 2 qt. ice cream maker. I then transfer the ice cream into this insulated ice cream container to let the ice cream harden up.
I always make sure I stash some extra candy canes in the cupboard after the holidays so I don’t have to wait until the next Christmas to make more of this ice cream.
Other favorite peppermint treats:
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Peppermint Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 1/2 cup half & half
- 2 cup whipping cream
- 1 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp peppermint extract
- 1 cup crushed candy cane
Instructions
- Mix together milks and sugar. Mix well.
- Add in salt, and extracts.
- Add in crushed candy cane, reserving some to sprinkle on top. The candy will dissolve into the ice cream making it pink and pepperminty. If you want chunks of peppermint in your ice cream, add the crushed candy in the last 5 minutes of churning.
- Pour into ice cream maker and churn according to ice cream maker directions.
Tips & Notes:
- Crush the peppermint candy in a food processor or place it in a zippered bag and pound it with a hammer or mallet. I like to crush it until it is about 1/2 powder and 1/2 small pieces of peppermint.
- If you want more crunch to your ice cream, process the ice cream about half way and then add the peppermint in, that way less of it will dissolve into the ice cream as it churns and leave more chunks of peppermint.
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Nutrition Facts:
Chloe Martin says
It is an absolutely amazing recipe we look forward to making it every year to come
Akshitha Sri says
I loved this recipe for the Christmas vibes! However, I would use less sugar because the extracts already make the mixture pretty sweet. I also added a pinch of red food dye to get the pink peppermint color because the stick doesn’t bring the color. Overall, great recipe!
Sandra Myers says
I made this for my daughter who adores peppermint stick ice cream. She rarely finds it. They’re coming for a visit and I thought it would be a nice treat and surprise. I used the round peppermint starlight candies I had in the house and used a tsp of crème de menthe liqueur as a substitute for the extract I don’t have. It makes a very large container full. The teaspoon taste was excellent!
Leigh Anne Wilkes says
I am so glad you loved it. Peppermint ice cream is hard to find so I make this recipe a lot!
Mary Ann says
I just made this with the Starlight candies you mentioned. Everything worked beautifully, except–when I poured the base into the ice cream maker after chilling for two hours, nearly all the peppermint pieces had disappeared into the liquid! I had broken them into typical peppermint ice cream sized pieces (not too small or powdery). Any idea what I did wrong? I want to make it again in the future but the peppermint pieces are a very important part of it! Can you help me fix this next time?
I agree with the red food coloring. I put in 3 drops and it was the perfect color. Delicious recipe!
Leigh Anne Wilkes says
Couple of questions – does your ice cream maker require you to child the base for two hours? I don’t chill mine. If it does, don’t add in the peppermint candy while it is chilling as it will dissolve in the liquid. If you want chunks of peppermint candy in the ice cream add the candy into the ice cream maker the last few minutes of churning.
Rose says
I went to the museum of ice-cream a few weeks ago, and they served a wonderful soft serve peppermint ice cream! I was hoping I would be able to recreate it as I believe it is the best ice cream I have had, and this makes for a great substitute! Thank you for the amazing recipe, will use many times in the future! The only thing I’d say is, add a bit less peppermint extract, as the candy canes also create quite a bit of flavor, though I do still rate the recipe with 5 stars. Also, I love the color of the ice cream! A beautiful pink!
Liz Weisd says
This is such a great recipe. The ice cream is smooth but also rich. I use this recipe for many different kinds of ice cream. This is a KEEPER.