If you have a soft spot for cool, refreshing flavors with a touch of indulgence, then this Homemade Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Recipe is your new best friend. It’s that perfect balance of creamy texture, fresh minty zing, and sweet chocolate bits, all wrapped up in a beautifully easy-to-make treat. Whether you want to impress guests, beat the heat, or just treat yourself after a long day, this recipe will quickly become a favorite in your kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
There’s something wonderfully straightforward about this recipe. Each ingredient plays a special role: from the richness of cream to the bright pop of mint, down to those irresistible chocolate chips that give every bite its fun crunch and flavor.
- 1 1/2 cups milk: The base liquid that keeps the ice cream smooth and creamy without being too heavy.
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream: Adds richness and luxuriously creamy texture, essential for that melt-in-your-mouth feeling.
- 3/4 cup sugar: Sweetens the ice cream just enough to balance the mint and chocolate perfectly.
- 1 1/2 teaspoons peppermint extract: Gives that signature minty freshness with a clean, invigorating flavor.
- 1 1.55oz chocolate bar, frozen*: Using a frozen bar makes it easy to shave, and these chocolate shavings create irresistible texture bursts.
- 10 drops green food dye (optional): For that classic minty green color that makes this ice cream visually delightful.
How to Make Homemade Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Recipe
Step 1: Whisk the Base
Start by combining your milk, heavy cream, sugar, peppermint extract, and green food coloring (if you decide to use it) in a bowl. Whisk everything until the sugar has completely dissolved; this ensures your ice cream will have a luxuriously smooth texture without any graininess.
Step 2: Churn in Your Ice Cream Machine
Once your ice cream base is ready, pour it into your ice cream maker. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions—usually about 30 minutes of churning turns this mixture into a delightful soft-serve consistency. This process incorporates air, making the ice cream light and creamy.
Step 3: Prepare the Chocolate Shavings
While the ice cream is churning, grab your chocolate bar and grate it finely. Pro tip: freezing your chocolate bar before grating makes it easier to handle and produces nicer shavings, especially on warm days when chocolate can get sticky quickly.
Step 4: Add the Chocolate
In the final minutes of churning, sprinkle your chocolate shavings into the ice cream machine. This way, the chocolate blends in perfectly, giving every scoop that delightful crunch and rich chocolate bites.
Step 5: Freeze and Serve
Transfer your freshly churned ice cream to a freezer-safe container and place it in the freezer for at least 3 to 4 hours to firm up, unless you prefer the soft-serve style right away—then dig in immediately! Serve in your favorite bowl or cone for the full experience.
How to Serve Homemade Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh mint leaves add a burst of color and a hint of extra aroma, while a few extra chocolate shavings on top can make it feel special and gourmet. For a sweet twist, consider a drizzle of chocolate syrup or a sprinkle of crushed peppermint candies to really wow your guests.
Side Dishes
This ice cream pairs beautifully with classic warm desserts like brownies or chocolate chip cookies. The contrast between a hot, gooey dessert and the cold mint chocolate chip ice cream creates a perfect harmony of flavors and textures.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving scoops inside crisp waffle cones for that old-school charm, or even layer it in a parfait glass with crushed cookies and fresh berries for a refreshing summer treat. For celebrations, make mini ice cream sandwiches by sandwiching a scoop between your favorite cookies.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers from your Homemade Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Recipe, keep them in an airtight container to protect against ice crystals and freezer burn. It’s best stored no longer than a week for optimum freshness and flavor.
Freezing
Freeze your ice cream in a shallow container to help it freeze evenly and quickly. Cover the surface with a piece of parchment paper before sealing to prevent ice crystals from forming, keeping your treat creamy and delicious.
Reheating
Since this is ice cream, reheating isn’t necessary. Instead, let your ice cream sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before scooping if it’s too hard straight from the freezer; this softens it slightly while preserving that perfect chilled texture.
FAQs
Can I use fresh mint instead of peppermint extract?
While fresh mint adds wonderful flavor, peppermint extract provides a more intense and consistent mint taste that’s characteristic of traditional mint chocolate chip ice cream. You can infuse fresh mint leaves into the cream, but you might need to adjust quantities for the desired strength.
What if I don’t have an ice cream machine?
No worries! You can still make this recipe by freezing the base in a shallow dish and stirring it every 30 minutes for a few hours to break up ice crystals and mimic the churning process. It takes more time but yields delicious results.
Is it necessary to use green food dye?
Green food dye is completely optional. It adds that familiar minty look, but the flavor stays the same without it. If you prefer natural coloring, a small amount of spinach juice can work, but use sparingly to keep the flavor pure.
Can I substitute the milk and cream for non-dairy alternatives?
Yes! Use full-fat coconut milk or almond milk with coconut cream to keep the creamy texture. Keep in mind that flavors may vary slightly, and the richness can be different, but this Homemade Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Recipe is quite adaptable.
How long does this ice cream last in the freezer?
For the best taste and texture, consume within one to two weeks. Over time, the ice cream can become icy or lose some of its fresh mint flavor, but storing it well airtight helps maximize freshness.
Final Thoughts
Making your own Homemade Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Recipe is such a rewarding experience, especially when you taste that first creamy, minty spoonful packed with chocolate chips. It’s simple to prepare, endlessly customizable, and perfect for sharing. Give it a go—you might just find that homemade beats store-bought every time!
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Homemade Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes (churning time in ice cream machine)
- Total Time: 3 hours 35 minutes (including freezing time)
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Churning (Ice Cream Machine)
- Cuisine: American
Description
This homemade mint chocolate chip ice cream recipe offers a creamy, classic dessert with refreshing peppermint flavor and rich chocolate shavings. Easy to make using a standard ice cream machine, it produces the perfect balance of sweet, minty, and chocolatey flavors ideal for a cool treat.
Ingredients
Ice Cream Base
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons peppermint extract
- 10 drops green food dye (optional)
Add-ins
- 1 1.55 oz chocolate bar, frozen (e.g., Hershey’s Milk Chocolate bar)
Instructions
- Mix Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the milk, heavy cream, sugar, peppermint extract, and green food dye (if using) until the sugar has fully dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
- Churn Ice Cream: Pour the mixture into your ice cream machine and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions, typically about 30 minutes, until it reaches a soft-serve consistency.
- Prepare Chocolate Shavings: While the ice cream is churning, use a grater to shave the frozen chocolate bar. Freezing the chocolate beforehand makes shaving easier and cleaner, especially in warm conditions.
- Incorporate Chocolate: In the final few minutes of the churning process, add the chocolate shavings to the ice cream so they mix evenly throughout.
- Freeze to Set: Transfer the churned ice cream into a freezer-safe container and freeze for at least 3 to 4 hours to firm up. For softer ice cream, serve immediately after churning.
Notes
- Freezing the chocolate bar before grating helps achieve finer, easier-to-incorporate shavings.
- Adding green food dye is optional but gives the classic mint chocolate chip green tint.
- If you prefer a stronger mint flavor, you can adjust the peppermint extract slightly to taste.
- The ice cream can be enjoyed soft right after churning or firmer after additional freezing.
- Use a quality chocolate bar like Hershey’s for authentic chocolate flavor and easy shaving.
