It’s all about balance. I try to keep things fresh and healthy on The Schmidty Wife, but sometimes you just need homemade ice cream. Today I’m sharing a simple, creamy Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream recipe that’s worth the splurge.
I hesitated to post this because it’s not one of my healthy-focused recipes and because it requires an ice cream maker, which not everyone owns. Still, if you love ice cream as much as we do, this one is a keeper.
My husband Matt and I are ice cream people. While others might reach for brownies or cookies, we’ll happily take a big cone any day. That love for ice cream is why we finally got an ice cream maker as a gift last year. If you enjoy homemade frozen treats, an ice cream maker is a worthwhile purchase — you don’t need an expensive model to get great results.
Over the past year we’ve made vanilla, summer strawberry, gingerbread at Christmas, and this refreshing Mint Chocolate Chip — all fantastic. This recipe is straightforward and produces a smooth, minty base studded with fine chocolate shavings.
The Ingredients
This recipe is easy: milk, heavy cream, sugar, peppermint extract, a chocolate bar for shaving, and a few drops of green food coloring if you want that classic mint color.
Whisk milk, cream, sugar, peppermint extract, and food coloring together until the sugar dissolves. Pour the mixture into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions (about 30 minutes in my machine). While the ice cream churns, shave a frozen chocolate bar and add the shavings during the last few minutes so they get evenly distributed. Transfer the churned ice cream to a freezer-safe container and freeze for several hours to firm up, or enjoy it right away if you prefer a softer texture.
Serve It
Scoop into bowls or cones. Homemade ice cream like this is simple and satisfying.
TIPS & TRICKS:
• Freeze the chocolate bar briefly before shaving. Cold chocolate shaves more cleanly and won’t melt from your hands. Even five minutes in the freezer helps.
• I usually use a Hershey’s milk chocolate bar for a simple, familiar flavor, but you can use dark or higher-quality chocolate for a richer result. Chocolate chips are an option, though they can become hard when frozen compared to shaved chocolate.
• An ice cream machine is important for this recipe. Simply freezing the mixed ingredients without churning will yield an icy, uneven texture.
*Freeze the chocolate bar to make shaving easier. Shave only what you’ll use immediately and keep the rest in the freezer. If it’s warm where you are, store the shaved chocolate in the freezer until ready to add to the ice cream.
Homemade Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
homemade mint ice cream full of chocolate shavings
5 minutes
30 minutes
3 hours
3 hours 35 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons peppermint extract
- 1 (1.55 oz) chocolate bar, frozen* (Hershey’s milk chocolate recommended)
- 10 drops green food dye (optional)
Instructions
- Whisk together the milk, heavy cream, sugar, peppermint extract, and food coloring (if using) until the sugar is fully dissolved.
- Pour the mixture into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s directions, usually about 30 minutes.
- While the ice cream is churning, grate or shave the frozen chocolate bar. Freezing the bar first makes this much easier.
- Add the chocolate shavings in the last few minutes of churning so they are evenly distributed.
- Transfer the ice cream to a freezer-safe container and freeze for at least 3–4 hours to firm up. Serve in bowls or cones. If you prefer softer ice cream, serve immediately after churning.
Notes
*Freezing the chocolate briefly makes shaving easier. I usually freeze the bar for about five minutes, shave only what I need, and keep the remainder in the freezer. If you won’t use the shavings immediately, store them in the freezer until needed.
Nutritional data is automated and will vary based on the ingredients and any substitutions used.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 378Total Fat: 26gSaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 89mgSodium: 56mgCarbohydrates: 34gFiber: 0gSugar: 34gProtein: 4g
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a comment or share a photo and tag @the_schmidty_wife. I love seeing your creations!
Peace & Love
Lauren, The Schmidty Wife
P.S. Looking for more desserts like this Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream? Try other recipes on the blog for seasonal cakes and cookies.
Please note that some links on my site may be affiliate links; I may earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend products I trust and find helpful.