There’s something truly magical about the holidays, isn’t there? For me, it’s often wrapped up in the scents and tastes of festive treats, and this Christmas Peppermint Ice Cream captures that joy perfectly. Imagine a creamy, cool dream, swirling with vibrant red hues and the invigorating burst of peppermint – it’s a sweet symphony that transports you straight to a winter wonderland. It’s truly a delight that makes any gathering feel extra special.
My fondest memories often lead back to my grandmother’s bustling kitchen, especially around Christmas. We’d be surrounded by the comforting aromas of vanilla and spices, her hands expertly guiding mine as we’d stir and mix. This ice cream recipe, while a modern twist on a classic flavor, carries that same spirit of warmth and togetherness, reminding me of those precious moments.
This delightful recipe is not only incredibly easy to make, making it perfect for busy holiday schedules, but it’s also a fantastic family-friendly treat that everyone will adore. My secret for truly vibrant colors and flavors is always using a good quality extract and gel food coloring for that extra festive pop!
What You Need to Make This Recipe
For a truly irresistible dessert, we’ll be using rich heavy cream, whole milk, and fragrant peppermint and vanilla extracts to create our luxurious Christmas Peppermint Ice Cream. The egg yolks lend an incredible richness to the custard base, ensuring a silky smooth texture. You’ll find the full list of ingredients and precise measurements in the recipe card below, ready for your baking adventure!
How to Make Christmas Peppermint Ice Cream
Making this festive treat is a heartwarming journey from a simple custard to a delightful frozen dessert. You’ll start by gently preparing a rich, creamy base on the stovetop, infusing it with those delightful holiday flavors. Once cooled, it’s churned to perfection, transforming into the most incredible Christmas Peppermint Ice Cream, ready to be enjoyed. The process is straightforward, ensuring delicious results every time!
Classic Christmas Peppermint Ice Cream
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the heavy cream, whole milk, half of the granulated sugar (3/8 cup), and salt. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is hot and just barely simmering around the edges, but not boiling. Remove from heat.
- In a separate large bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the remaining granulated sugar (3/8 cup) until light and creamy.
- Temper the egg yolks: Slowly pour about half of the hot cream mixture into the egg yolk mixture, whisking constantly to prevent the eggs from scrambling. Once combined, pour the egg yolk mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining hot cream.
- Return the saucepan to medium-low heat. Cook, stirring constantly with a spatula, until the custard thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon (it should reach about 175-180°F or 80-82°C). Do not boil. Immediately remove from heat.
- Strain the custard through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl. Stir in the vanilla extract and peppermint extract. If using, add a few drops of red gel food coloring and stir until desired festive pink color is achieved.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, pressing it directly onto the surface of the custard to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, until thoroughly chilled.
- Once the base is completely chilled, churn it in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This usually takes about 20-30 minutes, until the ice cream is the consistency of soft-serve.
- In the last 5 minutes of churning, add the crushed peppermint candies. Churn until just combined.
- Transfer the soft ice cream to an airtight freezer-safe container. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface and freeze for an additional 2-4 hours, or until firm enough to scoop.
- Serve immediately and enjoy your homemade Christmas Peppermint Ice Cream!
Notes
Creating the perfect frozen delight is all about those little touches that make a big difference! Here are a few secrets I’ve learned over the years to ensure your Christmas Peppermint Ice Cream turns out wonderfully creamy and bursting with flavor.
- My Secret Trick: When adding your crushed peppermint candies, I always like to fold them in during the last few minutes of churning. This helps them stay a bit chunkier and prevents them from dissolving too much, giving you those delightful little surprises in every spoonful.
- Ensure your custard base is thoroughly chilled before churning. This step is crucial for achieving that wonderfully smooth, luscious texture we all crave in homemade ice cream. Rushing this can lead to an icy consistency.
- Don’t be shy with the red gel food coloring! A few extra drops can make all the difference in achieving that vibrant, festive hue that truly makes this dessert pop on your holiday table.
- For an even more intense peppermint flavor, consider using a combination of pure peppermint extract and a tiny hint of pure mint extract. Just a touch of mint can brighten the peppermint without overpowering it.
Fun Variations for Christmas Peppermint Ice Cream
One of the greatest joys of baking is getting creative and making a recipe your own, and this Christmas Peppermint Ice Cream is wonderfully adaptable! Don’t hesitate to experiment with these fun ideas to add your unique touch.
Chocolate Swirl Delight
For all the chocolate lovers out there, my sister always asks me to swirl in some melted dark chocolate during the last few minutes of churning. It creates beautiful ribbons of chocolate that complement the peppermint beautifully. You could even use white chocolate for a softer contrast.
Cookie Crumble Dream
Instead of just crushed candies, try adding crushed chocolate sandwich cookies or even gingerbread cookies! Fold them in at the end for extra texture and a delightful spiced twist that’s truly irresistible.
Mint Chip Magic
Turn this into a classic mint chip by adding finely grated semi-sweet chocolate or miniature chocolate chips along with the peppermint candies. The tiny bursts of chocolate are a friend favorite and add a lovely crunch.
What to Serve With Christmas Peppermint Ice Cream
This festive treat is absolutely delightful on its own, but pairing it with other delicious elements can elevate it to an extraordinary dessert experience! Here are a few ideas that my family and friends adore when enjoying a scoop of Christmas Peppermint Ice Cream.
- A warm, fudgy brownie or a slice of rich chocolate cake makes an incredible partner to the cool, refreshing peppermint. The contrast in temperature and flavor is just divine.
- For a lighter touch, I love serving it with a sprinkle of fresh raspberries or a drizzle of homemade hot fudge sauce. The tang of berries or the richness of chocolate truly enhances the peppermint.
- Consider a small glass of warm hot cocoa on the side. The cozy drink provides a wonderful contrast to the chilly ice cream, making for a truly comforting holiday pairing. If you’re looking for something savory before your sweet course, a hearty bowl of soup from recipesdessert.net/soups can be a perfect start!
- A dollop of freshly whipped cream and an extra sprinkle of crushed peppermints always makes for a beautiful and delicious garnish.
How to Store Christmas Peppermint Ice Cream
Ensuring your delightful Christmas Peppermint Ice Cream stays fresh and delicious for days after you’ve made it is key to enjoying those sweet moments a little longer. Proper storage makes all the difference in maintaining its creamy texture and vibrant flavor.
After churning, transfer the ice cream to an airtight freezer-safe container. Press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the ice cream before securing the lid. This prevents ice crystals from forming and keeps it wonderfully smooth. I like storing my ice cream in a deeper container rather than a shallow one to help maintain its temperature more consistently. It will keep beautifully in the freezer for up to two weeks, though I doubt it will last that long!
Nutritional Benefits
While we often enjoy desserts for the pure joy they bring, it’s lovely to know that even a treat like Christmas Peppermint Ice Cream can offer a little something extra. Made with whole milk and egg yolks, it provides a touch of protein and calcium. It’s a delightful reminder that simple, wholesome ingredients can create a satisfying and nourishing indulgence.
FAQs
Can I make Christmas Peppermint Ice Cream without an ice cream maker?
While this recipe is designed for churning, you absolutely can make a no-churn version by folding the chilled base into whipped heavy cream and freezing it. The texture will be slightly different but still wonderfully delicious!
How can I prevent the ice cream from becoming too icy?
To avoid iciness, ensure your custard base is very well chilled before churning. Also, use full-fat dairy products as specified, as the fat content contributes to a smoother, creamier Christmas Peppermint Ice Cream.
What’s the best way to crush peppermint candies?
Place the candies in a zip-top bag, remove excess air, and gently crush them with a rolling pin or the flat side of a meat tenderizer. Don’t overdo it; you want some small chunks for texture in your Christmas Peppermint Ice Cream.
Can I prepare the custard base ahead of time?
Yes, absolutely! Preparing the custard base a day or two in advance and letting it chill thoroughly in the refrigerator actually helps deepen the flavors. Just cover it tightly to prevent a skin from forming.
Conclusion
Creating this Christmas Peppermint Ice Cream isn’t just about making a dessert; it’s about crafting a moment of joy, a sweet memory to share. With its creamy texture, festive colors, and invigorating flavor, it’s truly a delight that embodies the spirit of the holidays. I hope you embrace the simple pleasure of making this at home, adding your own love and patience to create a magical treat that brings smiles and warmth to your table. Happy baking, sweet friends!