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Home » Recipes

Easy Peppermint Candy Cane Ice Cream

Dec 3, 2020 · Leave a Comment

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Sometimes you want ice cream in the middle of December, and this Easy Peppermint Candy Cane Ice Cream will make you happy all season long!

I get it, it is starting to get freezing outside, and that makes us want to curl up with a warm plate of fresh-baked cookies. Sometimes though, I don't want to bake (I know that sounds weird), but I still want a sweet treat that puts me into a festive mood.

Our girls are huge ice cream lovers, and this time of year, I like to add a little pep- peppermint to bring out some of the fun in the season.

When our little one started showing signs of red food dye allergies a few years ago, I knew it wasn't an option to just buy it for her. That's why I started making them my Easy Peppermint Candy Cane Ice Cream!

Peppermint ice cream scooped into a stack of white bowls surrounded by crushed candy canes.

Why you'll make it all season too!

  • It's easy to make - with or without an ice cream maker!
  • Delicious - with only a few ingredients!
  • Full of peppermint flavor - with a little bit of candy crunch!
  • Perfect little treat for the holidays!

Peppermint Ice Cream Ingredients

  • Whole Milk
  • Heavy Cream
  • Eggs
  • Peppermint Extract
  • Sugar
  • Crushed Candy Canes - I use Yum Earth Candy Canes.
  • Red Beet Powder or Red Food Coloring of Choice - optional
Peppermint ice cream ingredients labeled with milk, cream, sugar, eggs, peppermint extract and crushed peppermint candy.

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But isn't peppermint ice cream seasonal?

Sure, if you're buying it in the store, but lucky for you, you can make this recipe any time of year if you want to!

Let's Make Peppermint Ice Cream!

  1. In a small saucepan, combine the heavy whipping cream, and the sugar over medium heat, stirring just until the sugar is fully dissolved.
  2. While the sugar is dissolving, combine the milk and eggs into a bowl and whisk until thoroughly combined, and no eggs are easily visible.
  3. Slowly add the warm cream to the eggs, whisking, so you do not cook the eggs, and create scrambled eggs.
  4. Once all the cream and sugar mixture is combined, add the peppermint extract and whisk again.
  5. Place the mixture into the fridge to allow it to cool for at least an hour. You do not want to proceed until the mixture is cool.
  6. Follow the instructions on your ice cream maker to churn the ice cream, or see notes below on how to make this recipe without an ice cream maker.
  7. Add the crushed peppermint candy once the ice cream is almost fully churned.
  8. Once the ice cream is formed, place it in a freezer-safe container to set up and enjoy!
Peppermint ice cream base steps from warming the sugar and cream, whisking the eggs and milk. Then combining the milk and cream with the peppermint extract and coloring. Letting the base chill and then adding it to an ice cream maker to churn.

Tips for Peppermint Ice Cream

Can you make this without an ice cream maker?

If you want to make this without an ice cream maker, simply let the mixture chill; instead of processing it in an ice cream maker, whisk or stir the mixture and place it in a freezer-safe container. Every 30-45 minutes, stir or whisk the mixture again until it becomes thick, leaving it to sit lightly covered in between. Once the mixture is thick, you can add the crushed peppermint candy and let it chill for 4-6 hours, and then enjoy!

Can't find peppermint extract?

That's okay. Just use extra crushed peppermint candy and melt it into the sugar and cream mixture.

Can you make this dairy-free?

This particular recipe uses dairy. However, you can easily make a few switches and additions to my Dairy-free Vanilla Ice Cream recipe to make a peppermint ice cream that is dairy-free and delicious!

Can you make this egg-free?

I have not tried this recipe egg-free. I would recommend going the route of making my dairy-free vanilla ice cream. Just change the vanilla to peppermint extract and add the crushed candy.

Storing Ice Cream

I prefer to store my homemade ice cream in sealed freezer-safe containers. As long as you keep it in a sealed container, it will keep in the freezer for a few weeks. For homemade ice creams, I like to put a layer of plastic wrap on the surface to help keep it from getting freezer burnt.

More Holiday Treats

Chewy Sugar Cookies

Cut-out Sugar Cookies

Gluten-free Gingerbread Cookies

Chocolate Sugar Cookies

Peppermint ice cream in a bowl topped with more peppermint candy.
Peppermint ice cream up close showing off the creamy ice cream and crushed peppermint candy.

Easy Peppermint Candy Cane Ice Cream

Sometimes you want ice cream in the middle of December and this Easy Peppermint Candy Cane Ice Cream will make you happy all season long!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 1 hr 15 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Total Time 44 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 10

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Cup Whole Milk
  • 2 Cup Heavy Cream
  • 2 Large Eggs
  • 1 Teaspoon Peppermint Extract
  • 1 Cup Sugar
  • ½ Cup Crushed Candy Canes or Peppermint Candies I use Yum Earth

Instructions
 

  • In a small saucepan, combine the heavy whipping cream and the sugar over medium heat stirring just until the sugar is fully dissolved
    2 Cup Heavy Cream, 1 Cup Sugar
  • While the sugar dissolves, combine the milk and eggs into a bowl and whisk until thoroughly combined and no eggs are easily visible.
    1 Cup Whole Milk, 2 Large Eggs
  • Slowly add the warm cream to the eggs, whisking to not cook the eggs and create scrambled eggs.
  • Add the peppermint and whisk again once the cream and milk are combined.
    1 Teaspoon Peppermint Extract
  • Place the mixture into the fridge to allow it to cool for at least an hour. You do not want to proceed until the mixture is cool.
  • Follow the instructions on your ice cream maker to churn the ice cream or see notes below on how to make this recipe without an ice cream maker.
    ½ Cup Crushed Candy Canes or Peppermint Candies
  • Once the ice cream is formed, place it in a freezer-safe container to set up and enjoy!

Notes

  • Do NOT let your cream and sugar mixture come to a boil.
  • Carefully temper the egg mixture so you do not end up with scrambled eggs in your final ice cream.
  • Allow the mixture to completely cool before processing it in the ice cream maker. (If the mixture becomes thick in areas while chilling just whisk it back together before processing.)
  • Store your ice cream in freezer-safe containers to help prevent it from getting hard. 
  • Having an easy-to-use ice cream maker makes this recipe even easier to do. This is the ice cream maker that I have and I find it makes the perfect creamy ice cream in no time without all the salt and ice of some machines. I also have extra bowl inserts so I always have one frozen to make ice cream when the craving hits someone in the family.
  • If you want to make this without an ice cream maker, simply let the mixture chill, instead of processing it in an ice cream maker whisk or stir the mixture and place it in a freezer-safe container. Every 30-45 minutes stir or whisk the mixture again until it becomes thick, leaving it to sit lightly covered in between. Once the mixture is thick, you can let it chill for 4-6 hours and then enjoy!
Keyword candy cane, Christmas, dessert, frozen treats, gluten free, ice cream, peppermint

If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo #grainfreetable or @grainfreetable on Instagram. I’d love to see what you come up with!

« Easy Gluten-free Chewy Sugar Cookies
The Best Soft and Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookies »

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Welcome to Grain Free Table! I’m Sara- a busy wife, mom of two girls, and lover of food. Here you’ll find lots of easy and delicious gluten & allergy-friendly recipes, info about my favorite food & products, as well as little snippets of my health journey as I navigate my gluten-free way of life!

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