Description
This easy mint chocolate chip ice cream recipe combines creamy 2% milk and heavy cream with refreshing peppermint extract and miniature semisweet chocolate chips for a light, flavorful treat perfect for hot summer days. Made effortlessly with an ice cream maker, this homemade dessert yields a smooth and delicious 2-quart batch.
Ingredients
Dairy and Sweeteners
- 2 cups 2% milk
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup sugar
Flavorings
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 drops green food coloring (optional)
Add-ins
- 1 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Gather all ingredients needed for the recipe, ensuring measurements are accurate for best results.
- Mix Base: In a large bowl, stir together the 2% milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, peppermint extract, and salt until the sugar is fully dissolved. If desired, mix in 3 drops of green food coloring to give the ice cream a festive minty color.
- Freeze Base: Pour the prepared mixture into your ice cream maker and start the freezing process according to the manufacturer’s instructions, generally about 30 minutes total churn time.
- Add Chocolate Chips: Approximately 10 minutes into churning, add the miniature semisweet chocolate chips to evenly distribute them throughout the ice cream.
- Finish Churning: Continue churning the mixture until it thickens and reaches a soft-serve consistency, which typically takes about 20 additional minutes after adding the chips.
- Freeze to Firm Up: Transfer the churned ice cream to an airtight container, then freeze it for about 2 hours until it is firm and scoopable.
- Serve and Enjoy: Scoop and serve the mint chocolate chip ice cream as a refreshing homemade dessert perfect for warm weather.
Notes
- Using 2% milk keeps the ice cream lighter in taste compared to whole milk or heavy cream alone.
- Green food coloring is optional but adds a classic mint chocolate chip visual appeal.
- Add chocolate chips partway through churning to distribute them evenly without settling.
- Ensure the ice cream base is well chilled before pouring it into the ice cream maker to improve freezing efficiency.
- For a firmer texture, keep the ice cream in the freezer longer before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins (churning time)
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Ice Cream Maker
- Cuisine: American
