If you have a soft spot for refreshing, creamy desserts that are bursting with flavor, then this Homemade Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Recipe is about to become your new favorite indulgence. It’s the perfect blend of cool, vibrant mint trimmed with just the right crunch of rich, mint-flavored chocolate chips. What makes this recipe truly special is the all-natural freshness from actual mint leaves and the velvety texture created by using real cream and egg yolks, turning a classic treat into something you’ll be excited to share with friends and family. Trust me, once you try this homemade creation, store-bought ice cream won’t even cross your mind.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This ice cream relies on a handful of simple but essential ingredients, each carefully chosen to bring out the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and refreshment. From creamy milk and luscious cream to fresh mint leaves for that unmistakable aroma, every element contributes to this dreamy dessert.
- 2 cups whole milk: A rich base that keeps your ice cream smooth without overpowering the mint.
- 1 cup heavy cream: Adds decadent creaminess for that luxurious mouthfeel.
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the blend just enough without masking the mint’s freshness.
- ½ teaspoon sea salt: Enhances all the flavors, balancing sweetness with a subtle depth.
- 3 egg yolks: The secret to a velvety texture and that custardy richness that makes ice cream irresistible.
- 3 cups fresh mint leaves (about 2 ½ ounces): This is where the magic starts—with real, vibrant mint for natural flavor and color.
- 4 ounces mint chocolate, chopped (about 1 cup): The delightful crunch and burst of chocolate mint that completes this classic combo perfectly.
How to Make Homemade Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Creamy Mint Base
Begin by whisking together the whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, sea salt, and egg yolks in a small pot. Gently fold in the fresh mint leaves. This mixture is the heart of your ice cream—it balances creaminess and mint freshness while the egg yolks set the stage for a smooth custard base.
Step 2: Heat and Infuse the Mint
Place the pot over medium heat, whisking often to prevent curdling. When the mixture reaches a gentle simmer, remove it from the heat and let the mint leaves steep for an hour. This slow infusion ensures every drop is bursting with fresh mint flavor without bitterness.
Step 3: Strain and Chill
After steeping, strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the mint leaves, leaving behind a beautifully green, infused cream. Pop it into the refrigerator and chill until cold—this step is crucial to help your ice cream churn into silky perfection.
Step 4: Churn to Creamy Perfection
Pour the chilled cream base into your ice cream maker and churn for about 30 minutes. Watch as the mixture thickens and becomes wonderfully creamy—this ritual turns liquid into dreamlike frozen goodness.
Step 5: Add Your Mint Chocolate Chips
Once thickened, toss in the chopped mint chocolate. Churn for another minute to distribute those lovely chips evenly throughout, offering that satisfying crunch with every spoonful.
Step 6: Freeze with Care
Transfer your churned ice cream to a large baking dish and place it in the fridge to set. Every 30 minutes, use a fork to scrape and stir the edges back into the center. Repeat this for at least two hours to avoid icy crystals and keep the texture smooth and creamy.
Step 7: Stir-in Final Touch
Before serving, give the ice cream one last gentle stir to make sure the mint chocolate is perfectly distributed. Now you have your homemade masterpiece ready to enjoy!
How to Serve Homemade Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh mint leaves or a few extra chopped mint chocolate pieces on top adds an elegant touch and a burst of fresh aroma. A drizzle of dark chocolate sauce can also elevate the presentation and flavor profile for special occasions.
Side Dishes
This ice cream pairs beautifully with warm desserts like chocolate lava cake or a simple brownie. The contrast of warm and cold creates an exciting texture play and intensifies the mint and chocolate flavors in every bite.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve scoops in waffle cones or hollowed-out mini watermelons for a fun summer treat. Layer it between chocolate brownies to make an indulgent ice cream sandwich, or turn it into a milkshake by blending with a little extra milk and whipped cream on top.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover Homemade Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Recipe tightly covered in an airtight container to preserve its fresh flavor and creamy texture. A tight lid prevents it from absorbing fridge odors or drying out.
Freezing
This ice cream freezes beautifully. Make sure to freeze it in a shallow, airtight container for faster setting. The scraping-and-stirring method practiced in the recipe helps minimize ice crystals, keeping every scoop as smooth as the first.
Reheating
Ice cream is best enjoyed cold straight from the freezer, so there’s no reheating involved. For the perfect scoop, let it sit at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes before serving if it is too firm.
FAQs
Can I use dried mint instead of fresh mint leaves?
Fresh mint lends the best flavor and vibrant color to this recipe. Dried mint is generally less potent and might not infuse the cream as well. However, if fresh isn’t available, you can try but reduce the quantity to avoid bitterness.
What if I don’t have an ice cream maker?
No worries! You can still make this recipe by freezing the ice cream base and stirring it every 30 minutes to break up ice crystals, as explained in the final freezing steps. It requires a bit more hands-on time but delivers fantastic results.
How do I make this ice cream dairy-free?
For a dairy-free twist, substitute the milk and cream with full-fat coconut milk or another creamy plant-based milk. The texture will be slightly different, but it will still be delicious with that fresh mint flavor.
Can I substitute the mint chocolate chips with regular chocolate chips?
Absolutely! Using regular chocolate chips will give you chocolate notes without the mint. For true mint chocolate chip flavor, it’s best to use mint-flavored chocolate, but feel free to customize as you like.
How long does this ice cream keep in the freezer?
Stored properly in an airtight container, your homemade mint chocolate chip ice cream will stay fresh for up to 2 weeks. Beyond that, the texture might begin to deteriorate due to ice crystals forming.
Final Thoughts
Making your own ice cream is such a joyful experience, and this Homemade Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Recipe is no exception. It’s fresh, creamy, and bursting with bright mint and rich chocolate, perfect for warm days or as a special treat any time. Dive in, share it with loved ones, and watch everyone’s faces light up as they savor this homemade delight. Your ice cream adventures start here!
Print
Homemade Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes (including heating and steeping time)
- Total Time: 3 hours 40 minutes (including chilling and freezing time)
- Yield: 6-6.5 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This homemade mint chocolate chip ice cream is a refreshing and creamy dessert infused with fresh mint leaves and crunchy mint chocolate pieces. Made from scratch with whole milk, heavy cream, and egg yolks, it offers a smooth texture and vibrant mint flavor, perfect for a cool indulgence on warm days.
Ingredients
Dairy and Eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 egg yolks
Flavorings and Sweeteners
- â…” cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 3 cups fresh mint leaves (about 2 ½ ounces)
- 4 ounces mint chocolate, chopped (about 1 cup)
Instructions
- Prepare the 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 mint flavor.
- Heat and Steep: Place the pot over medium heat and whisk frequently until the mixture just begins to simmer gently. Remove from heat and let the mint leaves steep in the hot cream mixture for 1 hour to extract their full flavor.
- Strain and Chill: Strain the cream through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl, discarding the mint leaves. Cover and refrigerate the mixture until it is completely cold, which helps improve the texture in the final ice cream.
- Churn the Ice Cream: Pour the chilled cream into your ice cream maker. Churn for about 30 minutes or until the ice cream becomes creamy and thick, creating a smooth texture.
- Add Mint Chocolate: Mix in the chopped mint chocolate during the last minute of churning, allowing the chocolate pieces to evenly distribute throughout the ice cream.
- Freeze and Stir: Transfer the churned ice cream into a large baking dish. Place it in the refrigerator and every 30 minutes, use a fork to scrape and stir the frozen edges back into the mixture. Repeat this stirring process for at least 2 hours to ensure even freezing and a creamy consistency.
- Final Mix and Serve: Before serving, stir in any additional chopped mint chocolate if desired. Serve immediately or store in the freezer until ready to enjoy.
Notes
- Steeping the mint leaves in the hot cream extracts fresh, vibrant mint flavor without overpowering the base.
- Stirring the ice cream every 30 minutes while freezing prevents large ice crystals from forming and keeps the texture smooth.
- If an ice cream maker is not available, you can manually stir the mixture every 30 minutes during freezing for best results.
- Use high-quality mint chocolate for the best taste and texture contrast.
- Keep the ice cream well covered to avoid absorbing fridge odors while chilling or freezing.
