Sometimes, only the wonders of icy mint ice cream with dewy drops of chocolate will do.
In my 56 years on planet Earth, I’ve learned there are two kinds of mint chocolate chip ice cream connoisseurs.
There are mint-chocolate purists who eat and only eat mint chocolate chip ice creams. I say “creams,” plural and all, because these types of die-hard chocolate-mint ice cream fans will always have several varieties of mint chocolate chip frozen treats in their freezer—their favorite brand of mint chocolate chip ice cream, perhaps a mint-chocolate sorbet, and various cookies and drumsticks stuffed with mint-chocolate deliciousness …
Then, there are those mint and chocolate chip ice cream connoisseurs (like me) who always keep several ice cream varieties on hand—one of them always being mint chocolate chip ice cream.
There are likely a few days every week when I MUST HAVE MINT CHOCOLATE CHIP ICE CREAM. I prefer to have it in a pretty silver dish (I have one that looks like the little shoe in the Monopoly game).
My roommate, Mike, who is quite the smart aleck, steals this ice cream constantly to make these Big Red mint chocolate chip ice cream floats, which he swears are “the best ice cream floats in the entire world.”
Sometimes, he leaves me with just a scrape or two of my precious mint chocolate chip ice cream in the carton. When I ask him why he feels entitled to do this, he seems to always be wearing a certain shirt that day. Then, he smiles and points to the shirt that says, “Snaccident: When You Eat All the Ice Cream By Mistake.”
Why You And Your Family Will Love This Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
I have to resist the most TEMPTING temptations quite often as a personal chef. Still, I must resist them most when I open someone’s freezer to reach for, say, that Easy-Prep Frozen Lasagna I put there last month and see containers full of icy, glistening green ice cream strewn with dewy chocolate chips.
Often, it’s hard for a gal not to violate the cardinal rule of all personal chefs—no touching the client’s food.
After all, mint chocolate chip ice cream looks so inviting—it’s just begging you to take a bite of it …. and when you finally do, you can taste chocolate melting into frozen minty deliciousness with every mouthful.
This recipe calls for only six ingredients, like heavy cream, sugar, whole milk, peppermint extract, and semi-sweet chocolate chips. Although the green food coloring is optional, it doesn’t taste or look the same without that almost crystalline, icy green color.
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 3/4 teaspoons peppermint extract
- Green food coloring, optional
- 2/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate, chopped (or chocolate chips)
Instructions
Prep time – 35 minutes
Chilling time – 4 hours
Yields – 8 servings
Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, whole milk, and granulated sugar until the sugar is completely dissolved.
Step 2: Stir the peppermint extract into the mixture. Add the green food coloring if using. Chill the mixture for 1 hour or until fully chilled.
Step 3: Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions, usually about 20-30 minutes.
Step 4: Five minutes before the churning is complete, add the chopped semi-sweet chocolate.
Step 5: Transfer the churned ice cream to an airtight container and freeze for at least 3 hours or until firm.
FAQs & Tips
How Do I Store Leftovers?
This homemade ice cream will stay fresh in the freezer for up to 2 weeks. To preserve the taste and texture of it, cut a piece of parchment paper and stick it on top of the ice cream before you put the lid on—this helps keep watery ice crystals out and flavor and texture in.
Great Add-Ins For Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream?
You could make dark chocolate and mint ice cream, which I highly recommend, by mixing dark chocolate shards into your ice cream mixture. You could also amp up the cool, refreshing mint flavor by adding chopped chocolate peppermint patties. Alternatively, steep a few sprigs of real mint in the ice cream mixture for about 3 minutes before it hits the ice cream maker. It takes that minty flavor times 10!
How To Make This Ice Cream Gluten-Free?
To make this assuredly gluten-free, look for a good GF brand of chocolate chips, like Enjoy Life Semi-Sweet Mini Chips.
Serving Suggestions
Mint chocolate chip ice cream tastes great with anything and at any time of day. However, it is especially refreshing after a great barbecue or Tex-Mex meal. The cooling ice cream after a spicy, flavorful meal is an especially welcome treat. Try serving this for dessert after this easy, 20-minute-to-bake Layered Taco Casserole. On the side? These Buffalo Chicken Totchos are great as a side dish or a feast in and of themselves, and all taste great, followed by this refreshing ice cream. If you love this mint chocolate chip ice cream, try this delicious recipe for Pineapple Coconut Ice Cream. It is simply sublime.
Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 3/4 teaspoons peppermint extract
- Green food coloring optional
- 2/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chopped (or chocolate chips)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, whole milk, and granulated sugar until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Stir the peppermint extract into the mixture. Add the green food coloring if using. Chill the mixture for 1 hour or until fully chilled.
- Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer's instructions, usually about 20-30 minutes.
- Five minutes before the churning is complete, add the chopped semi-sweet chocolate.
- Transfer the churned ice cream to an airtight container and freeze for at least 3 hours or until firm.
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