Description
This Homemade Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream combines fresh mint leaves infused in rich heavy cream with smooth whole milk and sweet sugar, enhanced by vanilla and peppermint extracts. The addition of semi-sweet chocolate chips creates a delightful chocolatey contrast, making it the perfect refreshing treat for summer.
Ingredients
Scale
Mint Infused Cream
- 1 cup Fresh Mint Leaves
- 2 cups Heavy Cream
Ice Cream Base
- 1 cup Whole Milk
- 3/4 cup Granulated Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1/4 teaspoon Peppermint Extract
Mix-ins
- 1 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
Instructions
- Mint Infusion: Wash 1 cup of fresh mint leaves thoroughly. Simmer them in 2 cups of heavy cream over low heat for 5 minutes to extract a vibrant herbal flavor. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool completely to preserve the mint taste without cooking it further.
- Combine Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the cooled mint-infused cream, 1 cup of whole milk, and 3/4 cup of granulated sugar until the sugar is fully dissolved and the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Add Flavor Extracts: Stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and 1/4 teaspoon of peppermint extract carefully, ensuring even distribution to enhance the overall flavor without overpowering the fresh mint notes.
- Chill Mixture: Refrigerate the ice cream base for at least 2 hours to allow flavors to meld and the mixture to thicken slightly. For best results, chill overnight if time permits.
- Churn Ice Cream: Pour the well-chilled mixture into an ice cream maker. Churn for 20-25 minutes until the ice cream reaches a soft-serve consistency. Add the 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips during the last few minutes of churning to evenly distribute the chocolate pieces throughout.
- Freeze Until Firm: Transfer the churned ice cream to an airtight container. Freeze for a minimum of 4 hours to allow it to firm up before serving. This step is crucial to achieve the classic ice cream texture.
Notes
- Fresh mint leaves are essential for a bright and natural mint flavor compared to using mint extracts alone.
- Chilling the mixture before churning helps achieve a smoother texture by allowing the cream to thicken slightly.
- Add chocolate chips at the end of churning to prevent them from melting and clumping.
- If you don’t have an ice cream maker, pour the mixture into a shallow container and freeze, stirring every 30 minutes to break up ice crystals until firm.
- Adjust the peppermint extract carefully as it is potent and can overpower fresh mint if too much is added.
