What do you get when you combine heavy cream, half and half, egg yolks, sugar, fresh mint and dark chocolate? Absolute, pure, utter and complete deliciousness. I don’t know what else to say about this mint chocolate chip ice cream except that it is one of the best things I have ever tasted. Ever. Seriously.
Fresh Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Adapted from Alice Q. Foodie’s recipe
1 cup half and half
2 cups heavy cream
2 cups lightly packed mint leaves
5 egg yolks
¾ cup sugar
pinch salt
pure peppermint oil* (not extract), optional
1 cup chopped dark chocolate, such as Valrhona 70%, chopped with a chef’s knife into ¼-inch pieces
*Peppermint oil can be found at specialty cookware shops. I found mine at Fante’s in Philadelphia, but Alice Q. Foodie says Henry’s Market carries it as well.
1. In a medium-sized saucepan, heat the cream and half and half with the mint leaves until it’s good and hot but not boiling. (You can just touch it lightly with your finger to test it.) Cover pan and set aside to steep for 30 mins. Strain out mint and discard (or compost) it.
2. Whisk yolks in a large bowl. If your cream mixture is still relatively hot to the touch (which it should be after only 30 minutes), slowly ladle the mixture into the egg yolks whisking constantly. Transfer yolk-cream mixture back to the saucepan and add the sugar with a pinch of salt.
3. Cook the custard over medium heat for about ten minutes, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or heat proof spatula. When the mixture begins to coat the back of the spoon, remove the pan from the heat. (If you have a thermometer, it should be about 170 degrees.)
4. Strain the hot custard into a bowl. If using the peppermint oil, take it and drip one or two drops into the cap of the bottle, then dip a toothpick in the oil and swish it through the custard mixture. (This stuff is powerful and can easily ruin a batch of custard if restraint is not used.)
5. Chill the mixture until completely cold. Churn in an ice cream maker. During the last few minutes of churning, add the chocolate chips. Freeze mixture until ready to serve.
Print This Recipe
Browse Timeline
Comments ( 30 )
VeggieGirl added these pithy words on Oct 03 08 at 7:29 amOooh, refreshing!!
Maris added these pithy words on Oct 03 08 at 7:35 amThat looks ABSOLUTELY amazing.
Where do you buy an ice cream churner? Good thing the holidays are coming up
Any Little Reason added these pithy words on Oct 03 08 at 7:58 amAaaaahhhhhh, that is my favorite kind of ice cream! I am making that this weekend!
Katrina added these pithy words on Oct 03 08 at 8:35 amDarn! That looks SO good!
About my blog with the slide show pictures on the side. They have been there since the beginning. Sorry you missed them before.
Sometimes it takes them a moment to load, so maybe that’s why you missed it. Thanks for commenting!
I want some of that ice cream!
Alice Q. Foodie added these pithy words on Oct 03 08 at 9:59 amThat looks fantastic! I love the photos – and your new masthead too!
Sharon added these pithy words on Oct 03 08 at 10:07 amMint chocolate chip will always be my favorite flavor. I can’t imagine how good homemade would be!
Maria added these pithy words on Oct 03 08 at 11:05 amI am so glad you are still making ice cream. Just because it is fall doesn’t mean we have to stop eating frozen treats! I love them year around!
katie added these pithy words on Oct 03 08 at 12:08 pmhow was the mint-ness compared to a recipe using extract? My family LOVES mint choc chip, this sounds perfect!
Rosa's Yummy Yums added these pithy words on Oct 03 08 at 2:22 pmOh, wonderful! Nothing’s better than homemade ice cream!
Cheers and have a good weekend,
Rosa
Amanda added these pithy words on Oct 03 08 at 5:05 pmYUMMY. Becca and I just made ice cream for the first time last week – vanilla bean. Now we’re obsessed with home made ice cream – soon we’ll each be 15 pounds heavier. I just bought butterfinger to mix into vanilla for this weekend, but next time we’ll have to try the mint chocolate chip!
Toodles!
Amanda
noble pig added these pithy words on Oct 03 08 at 9:28 pmMint chip has always been my favorite ice cream…EVER!
hot garlic added these pithy words on Oct 04 08 at 4:59 amOkay, that’s it! I can’t take it anymore! I can’t take one more mouthwatering post about ice cream -I am buying a machine TODAY! GREAT combo!
Kim added these pithy words on Oct 04 08 at 5:10 amI like ice cream in the cold months the best. Mint chocolate chip is always a favorite, thanks for the recipe.
Foodycat added these pithy words on Oct 04 08 at 9:06 amFresh mint! Oh wow! That looks just superb.
Bellini Valli added these pithy words on Oct 04 08 at 12:30 pmYes I could easily scarff down a few bowls of this Alexandra. I am so glad that you tried the Georgian bread as well…so cheesey good:D
Helene added these pithy words on Oct 04 08 at 3:27 pmI don’t make ice cream at home but should start because this looks really good.
Jenny added these pithy words on Oct 04 08 at 4:42 pmOh man that is pure heaven right there. I’ve got to break open my new ice cream maker before winter gets here! Looks beautifully delicious!
eliza added these pithy words on Oct 04 08 at 10:07 pmalexandra, you have a beautiful blog and wonderful recipes! i love mint chocolate chip ice cream! i’ll definitely come back here often.
Emiline added these pithy words on Oct 05 08 at 2:49 amAhh! I did the same thing, a couple months ago.
So you liked it?I couldn’t decide. The fresh mint was almost too herby and wild for me. It’s sad that I’m used to fake mint flavor.
RecipeGirl added these pithy words on Oct 05 08 at 6:38 amHmmmm. I’ve made mint-choc-chip ice cream before, but never with fresh mint. Sounds intriguing!
alexandra's kitchen added these pithy words on Oct 05 08 at 8:11 amMaris — Do you have a kitchen aid stand mixer? I use the ice cream attachment for my kitchen aid. It’s pretty good, though I would love to have one of those makers that does not require canister chilling.
Katie — The mintness is very unique. You can definitely tell that it’s different than extract. I did not find it overpowering.
Amanda! hieeee. I think i’ve gained five pounds this week alone.
Emiline — I really liked it. I experienced the herby/wild taste when I made rosemary-goats milk gelato a few months back, and I was worried that the mint might be the same, but I loved the fresh mint taste. I have to admit, however, that I like artificial mint flavor too!
Sara added these pithy words on Oct 05 08 at 7:31 pmThis looks delicious, I am going to make it soon. My mint plant is threatening to take over my yard!
Prudy added these pithy words on Oct 06 08 at 6:10 amYou’re killing me. I’m sold if it’s one of the best things that you have ever tasted. Now I have to wait until I have fresh mint again.
Grace added these pithy words on Oct 06 08 at 6:37 ammy favorite mint chip ice cream comes from breyer’s, and methinks this would truly rival it. it looks pure and fresh and delicious.
Joe Horn added these pithy words on Oct 06 08 at 7:33 pmAwesome… makes me want to buy a ice cream maker on amazon.
Alvin Gill-Tapia added these pithy words on Oct 09 08 at 5:06 amI just placed the Ice Cream Maker’s bowl in the freezer… I’m making this for guests this weekend… Thanks for your great Recipes… Alvin
alexandra's kitchen added these pithy words on Oct 09 08 at 6:52 amnice! Alvin — you won’t be disappointed! I just polished off my batch last night. It is so yummy!
Peabody added these pithy words on Oct 12 08 at 1:06 amMMM, fresh mint is the best. You have yourself a winner with that.
Patricia added these pithy words on Oct 12 08 at 10:07 amThat sounds divine and oh so infinetly better than the unnatural green hued oddities one finds made by commercial ice cream makers…bravo! Patricia
Bates added these pithy words on Oct 22 08 at 10:53 pmi just got myself the ice cream attachment to my kitchenaid… i can’t wait to make ice cream… not that i eat it that much… everyday
