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
Scale
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.
