If you are craving a cool, refreshing treat that has a perfect balance of creamy texture and minty zing, look no further than Nana’s Famous Peppermint Ice Cream Recipe. This beloved family recipe combines the richest heavy cream, just the right hint of vanilla, and delightful bursts of crushed peppermint candies to create an irresistible frozen dessert that feels like a festive hug in a bowl. Whether you’re making it for the holidays or just to brighten up any day, this recipe promises a luscious, homemade ice cream experience that’s both classic and uniquely Nana’s style.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in Nana’s Famous Peppermint Ice Cream Recipe plays an essential role in crafting its luxurious texture and signature mint flavor. Luckily, these simple, easy-to-find items come together effortlessly to deliver a dish that tastes far more special than the humble pantry staples might suggest.
- 6 cups heavy whipping cream: This is the backbone of the ice cream, providing richness and smoothness that melts in your mouth.
- 4 cups half-and-half: Balances the creaminess with a lighter dairy touch, making the ice cream perfectly scoopable.
- 2 cups granulated sugar: Sweetens the mixture just right to highlight the peppermint without overpowering it.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: Enhances the flavors and balances the sweetness beautifully.
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth, making every bite comforting and satisfying.
- 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract: This gives the unmistakable cooling peppermint kick that’s Nana’s signature.
- 8 ounces finely crushed peppermint (about 12-14 candy canes): For a smooth peppermint infusion throughout the ice cream.
- 1/3 to 1/2 cup coarsely crushed peppermint (about 3-5 candy canes): These larger chunks give those delightful little bursts of candy crunch.
- Ice and rock salt: Needed if your ice cream maker requires them for churning.
How to Make Nana’s Famous Peppermint Ice Cream Recipe
Step 1: Mix the Dairy and Flavors
Start by combining the heavy whipping cream, half-and-half, granulated sugar, salt, vanilla, and peppermint extract in a large bowl or directly in your ice cream maker’s bowl. Stir everything until the sugar dissolves completely and the mixture is homogeneous, setting the perfect creamy and minty foundation for your ice cream.
Step 2: Prepare the Finely Crushed Peppermint
Next, use a food processor or blender to finely crush about 12 to 14 candy canes until you get approximately 8 ounces of peppermint dust. This fine texture will swirl evenly through the cream, ensuring every spoonful carries that signature mint flavor that makes Nana’s Famous Peppermint Ice Cream Recipe so unforgettable.
Step 3: Incorporate the Finely Crushed Candy
Pour the finely crushed peppermint into the cream mixture and stir well. This step melds the peppermint flavor throughout the ice cream base before churning begins.
Step 4: Coarsely Crush Additional Peppermint Candy
While your processor is still out, coarsely crush another 3 to 5 candy canes to yield about a third to half a cup of peppermint chunks. These pieces add fantastic texture and bursts of intense peppermint sweetness in the finished ice cream. Set these aside—you’ll stir them in after churning.
Step 5: Churn the Ice Cream
Place the cream mixture in your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Typically, it takes about 40 minutes for the ice cream to reach a soft serve consistency—lush, thick, and full of creamy goodness.
Step 6: Add the Coarse Peppermint Candy
Once the ice cream is perfectly churned, gently fold in the coarsely crushed peppermint pieces. This gives your ice cream texture and those delightful peppermint bits you’ll love biting into.
Step 7: Transfer and Freeze
Transfer your peppermint ice cream into a large, sealable container such as a 9×5 inch bread pan or a Tupperware with a lid. Cover tightly to avoid freezer burn and ensure a smooth texture.
Step 8: Freeze Thoroughly
Freeze the ice cream for at least 3 to 5 hours; however, 8 hours or overnight is ideal. This allows the flavors to develop fully and the ice cream to firm up perfectly for serving.
Step 9: Ready to Enjoy!
Serve your Nana’s Famous Peppermint Ice Cream Recipe as is, or sprinkle more crushed peppermint candy on top for that extra festive touch. It’s especially delicious alongside Nana’s Famous Fudge Brownies for an indulgent finishing touch.
How to Serve Nana’s Famous Peppermint Ice Cream Recipe
Garnishes
Enhance your ice cream presentation with fresh mint leaves, a drizzle of dark chocolate sauce, or even a few whole candy canes for guests to enjoy. The contrast of the smooth ice cream with crunchy candy and fresh herbs makes every bite exciting.
Side Dishes
This peppermint ice cream pairs beautifully with warm desserts such as brownies, chocolate chip cookies, or gingerbread. The creamy coolness complements the warmth and spice of these treats perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve Nana’s Famous Peppermint Ice Cream Recipe in waffle cones dipped in chocolate and sprinkled with crushed peppermint. You can also layer it in parfait glasses with crumbs or hot fudge for an elegant dessert that looks as amazing as it tastes.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover ice cream in an airtight container to preserve freshness. Make sure to press a piece of parchment or plastic wrap directly on the surface to prevent ice crystals from forming.
Freezing
The ice cream freezes well for up to two weeks. Just be sure it’s tightly sealed and kept at a consistent cold temperature for the best texture and flavor retention.
Reheating
Since this is ice cream, reheating isn’t the goal. Instead, to soften frozen ice cream for easier scooping, let it sit at room temperature for about 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of candy instead of peppermint?
While Nana’s Famous Peppermint Ice Cream Recipe is designed to highlight peppermint’s unique flavor and texture, you could experiment with other crushed candies, though it will change the classic taste you expect from this recipe.
Do I need an ice cream maker to make this recipe?
Although using an ice cream maker is best for achieving the perfect creamy texture, you could try a no-churn method by freezing the mixture and stirring it periodically to reduce ice crystals.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
This recipe relies heavily on dairy for its creamy texture, so substituting non-dairy milk would change the consistency. You might experiment with coconut cream, but it won’t be exactly the same as Nana’s Famous Peppermint Ice Cream Recipe.
How long does this ice cream take to churn?
Churning typically takes about 40 minutes, depending on your ice cream maker model. You want the consistency to be similar to soft-serve ice cream before adding the coarse peppermint candies.
Can I prepare the peppermint candies ahead of time?
Absolutely! Crushing both the fine and coarse peppermint candies ahead of time saves prep time and lets you dive into making Nana’s Famous Peppermint Ice Cream Recipe with ease.
Final Thoughts
There’s something utterly magical about making and sharing Nana’s Famous Peppermint Ice Cream Recipe. It’s a deliciously nostalgic dessert that feels both special and comforting with every spoonful. Trust me, once you try it, this recipe will quickly become a treasured classic in your own kitchen. So grab those candy canes, get churning, and prepare to enjoy some truly joyful, minty bliss!
Print
Nana’s Famous Peppermint Ice Cream Recipe
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes prep plus refrigeration time
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Churning
- Cuisine: American
Description
Nana’s Famous Peppermint Ice Cream is a refreshing and creamy homemade treat featuring a rich blend of heavy cream, half-and-half, and vanilla, infused with minty peppermint extract and generously mixed with crushed peppermint candy canes for that perfect crunchy texture. This delightful ice cream is churned to a smooth soft serve consistency and then frozen to perfection, offering a festive and indulgent dessert that’s perfect for holiday gatherings or any time you crave a cool, minty delight.
Ingredients
Dairy and Flavorings
- 6 cups heavy whipping cream*
- 4 cups half-and-half
- 1 tablespoon good quality vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
Sweeteners and Add-ins
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 8 ounces finely crushed peppermint candy (about 12–14 candy canes**)
- 1/3 to 1/2 cup coarsely crushed peppermint candy (about 3–5 candy canes**)
For Churning (if required by ice cream maker)
- Ice
- Rock salt
Instructions
- Mix the Base: In a large bowl or the bowl of your ice cream maker, combine 6 cups heavy whipping cream, 4 cups half-and-half, 2 cups granulated sugar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, and 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract. Stir thoroughly until the sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
- Finely Crush Candy Canes: Using a food processor or blender, finely crush about 12 to 14 full-size candy canes until you have approximately 8 ounces of finely crushed peppermint pieces. The size should be small enough to mix uniformly into the ice cream base.
- Incorporate Fine Peppermint: Add the finely crushed peppermint candy to the cream mixture and stir well to evenly distribute the mint flavor throughout the base.
- Coarsely Crush Additional Candy Canes: With the food processor still out, coarsely crush another 3 to 5 candy canes to create 1/3 to 1/2 cup of chunkier peppermint pieces. These will add delightful texture and bursts of peppermint flavor when stirred into the churned ice cream. Set aside the coarsely crushed candy.
- Churn the Ice Cream: Pour the cream and peppermint mixture into your ice cream maker bowl if not already combined. Churn the ice cream according to your machine’s instructions, typically about 40 minutes, until it reaches a thick, soft-serve consistency.
- Fold in Coarse Peppermint Pieces: Using a long spoon, gently fold 1/3 to 1/2 cup of the coarsely crushed peppermint candy into the churned ice cream for added texture and flavor bursts.
- Transfer and Freeze: Transfer the ice cream to a large airtight container, such as a 9×5 inch bread pan or Tupperware with a lid, smoothing the top as needed.
- Freeze Until Firm: Cover the container securely and freeze the ice cream for at least 3 to 5 hours to harden, though an 8-hour freeze or overnight is recommended for best texture and scoopability.
- Serve and Enjoy: Scoop and serve the peppermint ice cream plain or topped with extra crushed candy canes for added festivity. It pairs exceptionally well with Nana’s Famous Fudge Brownies for a decadent dessert experience.
Notes
- If your ice cream maker requires it, use ice and rock salt for the churning process as directed by the manufacturer.
- The quantity of crushed peppermint can be adjusted according to your texture and flavor preference.
- For best results, use high-quality vanilla and peppermint extracts to enhance the creaminess and mint flavor.
- Allow the ice cream to soften for 5-10 minutes at room temperature before scooping if it is very firm from freezing.
- *Heavy whipping cream is preferred for the richest texture, but you may experiment with lighter cream options if desired.
- **Candy cane size may vary, so weigh the crushed peppermint for accuracy.
- This ice cream is best served fresh within a week for optimal flavor and texture.
