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If you’ve ever dreamed of capturing the refreshing coolness of mint alongside the rich indulgence of chocolate in a frozen treat, this Homemade Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Recipe will become your new obsession. Every spoonful bursts with vibrant fresh mint flavor that feels just picked from the garden, perfectly balanced by creamy sweetness and delightful chunks of mint chocolate that add just the right crunch. Whether you’re an ice cream purist or a flavor adventurer, this recipe promises a luscious, homemade delight that’s so satisfying you’ll wish you had more than just a few servings to share.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Simple, fresh, and essential—these ingredients come together beautifully to create the perfect creamy texture, the vibrant green hue, and that unmistakable minty punch that makes this Homemade Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Recipe unforgettable.
- 2 cups whole milk: Provides a smooth base that helps keep the ice cream rich but not too heavy.
- 1 cup heavy cream: Adds luscious creaminess and a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- â…” cup granulated sugar: Sweetens gently without overpowering the mint or chocolate.
- ½ teaspoon sea salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances sweetness perfectly.
- 3 egg yolks: Acts as a natural thickener, creating that silky custard base we all love in ice cream.
- 3 cups fresh mint leaves (about 2 ½ ounces): The superstar ingredient, delivering a fresh, bright, garden-picked mint flavor.
- 4 ounces mint chocolate, chopped (about 1 cup): Adds sweet, minty chocolate chunks that give every bite a delightful crunch.
How to Make Homemade Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Creamy Mint Custard
Begin by whisking together the whole milk, heavy cream, sugar, sea salt, and egg yolks in a small pot. This combination will form a rich, custard-like base that clings to each bite. Add the fresh mint leaves to infuse the mixture with their vibrant, lively flavor. The magic starts here as the ingredients come together.
Step 2: Heat and Steep the Mint
Gently heat the mixture over medium, whisking frequently until it just starts to simmer. This careful warmth allows the ingredients to blend and the egg yolks to thicken the base. After removing it from the heat, let the mint leaves soak in the warm cream for a full hour. This steeping process is crucial—it extracts all the bright, herbal notes that make this ice cream feel so fresh and special.
Step 3: Strain and Chill the Base
Once the mint flavor has infused, strain the cream through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl to remove the leaves and any cooked bits of egg. This ensures a perfectly smooth base without any unwanted texture. Pop the bowl into the fridge and chill the mixture thoroughly—this step cools your base so that it churns beautifully later.
Step 4: Churn the Ice Cream
Pour your chilled mint cream into your ice cream maker and churn for about 30 minutes. You’ll notice the mixture transform from liquid to thick and creamy—almost like soft serve. This churning introduces air and develops the smooth texture that makes homemade ice cream so irresistible.
Step 5: Add the Mint Chocolate Chips
Quickly fold in the chopped mint chocolate and churn for an additional minute to evenly distribute those delightful chunks throughout the ice cream. These little chocolate bursts will contrast perfectly with the sweetness and freshness of the mint base.
Step 6: Freeze and Stir to Perfection
Transfer the mixture to a large baking dish and place it in the freezer. To keep your ice cream creamy and free of ice crystals, every 30 minutes for about 2 hours, scrape along the edges and stir vigorously with a fork. This hands-on step makes all the difference between ordinary frozen cream and luscious homemade ice cream.
Step 7: Final Touch Before Serving
Just before serving, stir in any remaining chopped mint chocolate for an extra hit of texture and flavor. Now your Homemade Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Recipe is ready to delight anyone lucky enough to get a scoop!
How to Serve Homemade Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate your ice cream, consider topping it with fresh mint sprigs, a drizzle of dark chocolate sauce, or even a sprinkle of crushed peppermint candies. These garnishes add color and extra layers of minty and chocolatey excitement, turning every bite into a mini celebration.
Side Dishes
This ice cream pairs wonderfully with warm desserts like chocolate brownies, rich fudge cake, or a simple fruit tart. The contrast between warm and cold, as well as textures, makes for an irresistible combination your guests will rave about.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve scoops in waffle cones for a classic touch, or present the ice cream in hollowed-out mint chocolate cookies for a playful and indulgent treat. You can also layer it in parfait glasses with crushed cookies and fresh berries for an elegant dessert that’s visually stunning and utterly delicious.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Homemade Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Recipe in an airtight container to prevent freezer burn and preserve freshness. Use a sheet of parchment paper between the ice cream and the lid to maintain its creamy texture and avoid unwanted ice crystals forming on top.
Freezing
This ice cream freezes incredibly well thanks to the rich custard base. Keep it stored at a consistent freezing temperature, and it will stay flavorful and creamy for up to two weeks, ready whenever the craving strikes.
Reheating
Since ice cream is meant to be enjoyed cold, reheating isn’t recommended. However, for a softer scoop, let the ice cream sit at room temperature for about 5 to 10 minutes before serving—it will soften just enough to enjoy without losing its delightful texture.
FAQs
Can I use dried mint instead of fresh mint in this recipe?
Fresh mint leaves are key to achieving the bright, vibrant flavor that defines this Homemade Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Recipe. Dried mint tends to be less flavorful and can impart a different texture, so fresh is highly recommended for the best results.
Do I need an ice cream maker to make this recipe?
While an ice cream maker simplifies the churning process and helps incorporate air for a smooth texture, you can still make this recipe without one by freezing the mixture and stirring it every 30 minutes as directed. It just requires a little more hands-on time but the results are wonderfully satisfying.
Can I substitute the mint chocolate with regular chocolate chips?
You absolutely can, but keep in mind that mint chocolate chips add a special minty sweetness that complements the fresh mint ice cream perfectly. Using regular chocolate chips will turn it into a traditional chocolate chip ice cream with a minty base, which is delicious but a slightly different flavor experience.
Is this recipe suitable for vegans or dairy-free diets?
This particular recipe relies on dairy and egg yolks for its creamy custard base, so it’s not suited for vegans or those avoiding dairy. However, you can experiment with coconut milk or other plant-based alternatives and an egg substitute to create a similar scoopable texture, though the flavor may vary.
How long does it take for the ice cream to fully set?
After churning, freezing it while stirring every 30 minutes for around 2 hours typically results in perfectly creamy, scoopable ice cream. If your freezer is colder or the container is larger, it could take a little longer, so patience for that creamy perfection truly pays off!
Final Thoughts
Making this Homemade Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Recipe is like inviting a little summer magic into your kitchen all year round. The bright freshness of mint combined with the soothing creaminess and chocolate chunks creates a delightfully balanced treat that feels both classic and special. Give it a try—you’ll soon see why this recipe is one of those hard-to-beat favorites that keeps everyone asking for just one more scoop.
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Homemade Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This homemade mint chocolate chip ice cream recipe combines fresh mint leaves with rich cream and chopped mint chocolate to create a refreshing, creamy dessert. Made without any artificial flavors, this ice cream is infused with natural mint and churned to perfection before being frozen to a smooth, scoopable consistency.
Ingredients
Ice Cream Base
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- â…” cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 3 egg yolks
Mint and Chocolate
- 3 cups fresh mint leaves (about 2 ½ ounces)
- 4 ounces mint chocolate, chopped (about 1 cup)
Instructions
- Prepare the ice cream base: In a small pot, whisk together the whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, sea salt, and egg yolks until fully combined. Add the fresh mint leaves to infuse the mixture with natural mint flavor.
- Heat and steep: Place the pot over medium heat and whisk frequently until the mixture gently simmers, which helps to thicken it slightly and extract the mint essence. Remove from heat and let the mint leaves steep for 1 hour to deepen the flavor infusion.
- Strain and chill: Strain the cream through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl, discarding the mint leaves. Refrigerate the strained cream until it is thoroughly cold to prepare it for churning.
- Churn the ice cream: Pour the chilled cream base into your ice cream maker. Churn the mixture for about 30 minutes until it reaches a creamy and thick consistency.
- Add mint chocolate: Add the chopped mint chocolate to the churned ice cream and continue churning for another minute to evenly distribute the chocolate bits throughout the ice cream.
- Freeze for firmness: Transfer the churned ice cream into a large baking dish and place it in the fridge. To prevent ice crystals and maintain creaminess, every 30 minutes for at least 2 hours, scrape and stir the frozen edges with a fork and mix well.
- Final mix and serve: Before serving, stir in any remaining chopped mint chocolate to enhance texture and flavor. Serve chilled and enjoy your fresh, homemade mint chocolate chip ice cream.
Notes
- Using fresh mint leaves provides a natural, vibrant mint flavor that is superior to extract.
- Steeping the mint leaves for an hour is essential for a rich infusion.
- Chilling the cream base before churning helps achieve smooth texture.
- If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you can try freezing and stirring every 30 minutes for about 3-4 hours for a similar effect.
- Use good-quality mint chocolate for the best flavor and texture contrast.
- Egg yolks provide richness and help stabilize the ice cream, producing a creamy texture.
