Peppermint ice cream is a crowd favorite holiday treat! Vanilla ice cream mixed with crushed peppermint served in a chocolate dipped waffle cone.
Fans of the peppermint ice cream served at Disneyland during the holidays will love this homemade version! Best of all, the option to make your very own chocolate dipped waffle cone studded with crushed candy canes.
This recipe does not use peppermint extract. I find that peppermint extract can be too overpowering. Instead, this ice cream is get its peppermint flavor from crushed candy canes.
Ice Cream Ingredients
- Heavy Cream : Also labeled as heavy whipping cream, it’s the thick fatty part of the milk that rises to the surface. It is different from whipping cream, which has slightly less fat. For this recipe, you may use either heavy cream or whipping cream. They results between the two are not noticeable.
- Milk : Use reduced fat 2% milk or whole milk. Do not use non-fat or skim milk, which will produce an icy textured ice cream.
- Egg Yolks : Recipe uses large sized egg yolks. Six large yolks is roughly 84 grams. If you use extra-large yolks, measure out yolks by weight. Yolks act as a stabilizer and emulsifier.
- Peppermint Candy : Any hard peppermint candy works including candy canes, round peppermint candies, peppermint mint balls, or peppermint candy sticks. No need to wait for the holidays, you can purchase peppermint candy online all year long!
DIY Chocolate Dipped Cones
Grab your favorite store bought waffle cones, chocolate, and peppermint candies.
Melt your choice of chocolate (dark, semi-sweet, or white chocolate). Dip the waffle cones into the melted chocolate and immediately sprinkle with chopped peppermint candies.
Tip: Place chocolate dipped waffle cones in a container filled with uncooked rice (or beans) to allow cones to dry standing upright.
Go the extra mile and use a waffle ice cream cone maker to make cones from scratch!
How to Infuse Peppermint Flavor
I had to consider all my options before tackling this recipe. Should I infuse the crushed peppermint in the ice cream base? Should I use mint extract? How about peppermint extract?
I decided on making a super creamy vanilla ice cream base. Crushed candy canes are added during the final minutes of churring.
How does peppermint ice cream get that color?
The ice cream is initially pale yellow-white. After a few hours in the freezer, the vanilla ice cream takes on the light pink hues of the candy cane.
The peppermint flavor is forward, yet not overpowering. However, if you want a blast of peppermint, go ahead and add one to two teaspoons of pure peppermint extract.
Recommended Ice Cream Maker
I personally use this compressor ice cream machine. It’s perfect if you make ice cream and sorbet often. This version does not require freezing the canister ahead of time.
I recommend this simpler ice cream maker for infrequent ice cream making. I used this one for several years before upgrading.
The canister does need to be frozen for 24 hours prior to use. I suggest keeping in the freezer at all times just in case you ever need it.
Ice Cream Storage Tips
For best results, keep homemade ice cream covered in an airtight container stored in the coldest part of the freezer.
I recommend using this 2 quart Cambro container. It’s a durable, stackable container. It’s great for homemade ice cream and sorbet recipe since it can hold up to 2 quarts.
This reusable ice cream tub or tight fitting silicone lid freezer storage container are also great options.
Keep ice cream for up to two weeks. Overtime, it will inevitability develop freezer burn, dry out, or absorb other flavors from the freezer.
Related Peppermint Dessert Recipes
- Peppermint Bark Rolls
- Chocolate Peppermint Cake
- Candy Cane Cookies and Cream Cake
- Peppermint Bark Marshmallow Cereal Bars
Peppermint Ice Cream
Equipment
- ice cream machine
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy cream, (454 g)
- 1 cup milk, (227 g)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar, (50 g)
- 6 large egg yolks, (84 g)
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup crushed candy cane (peppermint candies)
Chocolate Dipped Cones:
- 1 ½ cup chocolate of choice
- crushed candy cane (peppermint candies), as needed
- 6 waffle cones
Instructions
- In a medium pot, bring cream, milk, and 1 Tbsp of sugar to boil. Meanwhile, in a large bowl whisk together egg yolks and remaining sugar. Once milk begins to boil, lower heat.
- Temper hot milk in sugar-yolk mixture. Slowly add hot milk into yolks about ¼ cup at a time, whisking to distribute heat. Once all the milk has been added, transfer mixture back into the pot.
- Stir over low-medium heat until mixture reaches nappe consistency, or 180°F on a kitchen thermometer. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Transfer to an airtight container and let mixture mature in fridge overnight (at least 6 hours).
- Freeze mixture in ice cream maker according to your unit's instructions. Once the volume has increased by half and has reached a soft serve consistency, add crushed candy cane. Continue to churn until candy cane has been distributed. Transfer ice cream to a freezer safe container. Freezer for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Chocolate Dipped Crushed Peppermint Waffle Cones:
- Melt chocolate at half power in the microwave for 20 second intervals or using a double boiler until smooth.
- Dip waffle cones into melted chocolate. If desired use a spoon to coat the inside of the waffle cone with chocolate. Immediately sprinkle crushed candy canes.
- Set in a bowl with uncooked rice to allow chocolate cones to dry standing upright.
Notes
- Use reduced fat 2% milk or whole milk
- Use chopped chocolate, chocolate chips, or chocolate morsels. Be careful not to burn or overheat the chocolate.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like this recipe? Rate & comment below!
Those cones are SO cute and the ice cream looks absolutely delicious. It sounds so refreshing :) pinned!!
Thank Rachel! You can’t have peppermint ice cream without a peppermint cone! :)
This us beautiful! I like the vanilla base so the peppermint isn’t too minty. Wish I had a cone of this peppermint ice cream now – it may be rainy and cold outside, but peppermint ice cream in a peppermint crusted chocolate dipped cone!! Always a good time to have some. Pinned!
Rain or shine, it’s always a good time for ice cream! At least, I think so :)
This is the cutest!! I wish I could reach through my screen and grab a cone. I went to Disney World for Christmas once and it was the best experience of my life. I still haven’t been to Disney Land though, that is next on my life!
Oh man, Disney World for Christmas must be a dream! Let me know when you go to Disneyland! I’ll meet you there ;)
My kids are just like how you were when you were a kid. . but I guess all kids are like that right? :) I also want a pause button or one that gives me 36 hrs in a day. And you’re right, Disneyland is magical at Christmas time. . love it. This peppermint ice cream is magical too and delicious!!! Can’t wait to try this!
36 hours in a day would be awesome!! Can you image how much you would be able to pack in a day?! Thanks! I hope you enjoy it :)
so creamy and delicious ice cream! love addition of peppermint!
It’s the perfect time for peppermint!
Oh I’ve never been to Disney around the holidays. I bet it’s so magical. This ice cream looks incredible. Your photos are amazing!
It’s very magical! Thank you Liz :)
Now this looks like a creamy and dreamy delight. Forget visions of sugarplums – this is dancing in my head!
Aw, thanks Cakespy!! :)
Stunning!!!
Thanks Jocelyn!!
The ice cream looks gorgeous! I love the semi-homemade waffle cones. And so jealous that DIsneyland is close to you. That sounds like a fantastic tradition.
PS- ALEX, IF YOU SEE THIS, SHE WANTS A WAFFLE CONE MAKER.
Thanks Sarah! Disneyland definitely is one of the perks of SoCal :)
(Sometimes you just have to spell it out for boys, lol)
This is the perfect holiday ice cream! Loving the chocolate dipped cones as well.
Thanks Jen! I loveeee peppermint :)