Candy Cane Ice Cream (Homemade Peppermint Ice Cream Recipe) (2024)

Homemade peppermint ice cream sprinkled with crushed candy canes! An easy Christmas dessert! (Or a refreshing wintery treat year-round!)

Homemade Peppermint Ice Cream

I love all things peppermint at the holidays! Peppermint bark, candy canes…you name it! They are some of my favorite Christmas treats! And I’m always a bit sad when they disappear from store shelves after December.

Speaking of that, it can be tough to find peppermint ice cream during the holidays. But now you can make your own delicious peppermint flavor ice cream to enjoy any time of year!

If you haven’t tried making homemade ice cream before, you’re in for a treat…pun intended! The process is actually quite simple, with or without an ice cream churner!

This candy cane ice cream is absolutely heavenly — soft and creamy with notes of peppermint and vanilla swirled throughout. We actually used peppermint powder from the crushed candy canes to make it extra minty! Then we topped our ice cream with crushed candy canes for a little crunch that’s so fun to eat!

So whether you’re looking for a unique Christmas dessert idea, something to serve with Christmas cookies, or a holiday-inspired treat during the rest of the year, this one is a must try!

Side note: this recipe contains quite a bit of calcium, so it’s practically good for you! Wink, wink!

Candy Cane Ice Cream Ingredients

This is a quick reference list to start your planning, with click-able shopping affiliate links (whenever possible) for your convenience in re-creating this recipe. Disclosure policy availablehere.

• 3 cups Heavy whipping cream
• 1 teaspoon red food coloring
• 3 teaspoon Peppermint extract
• 1 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla extract
• 1 can sweetened Condensed milk
• Approx. 1 cup crushed peppermint candy or crushed candy canes

Kitchen Tools Used

• Ice Cream Storage Container
• Stand mixer or electric hand mixer
• Ice Cream Maker — We made our ice cream by hand, so machine is totally optional! It simply helps speed up the process. So if you’re in a hurry or want to make multiple batches, this is a great tool!

How to Make Peppermint Ice Cream

First, you’ll want to crush up your peppermint candy or candy canes. I recommend doing this by placing the candy in a large zip-top plastic bag and going over it with a rolling pin. Separate into the larger candy chunks and the powder — you’ll be using both.

1. Add the heavy cream to the bowl of your stand mixer (or in a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer) and whisk on medium-high until soft peaks form. Take care not to over-mix the cream.Add half of the crushed peppermints, about a 1/4 cup of the peppermint candy powder, peppermint extract, vanilla, and condensed milk and gently fold together, stirring with a large wooden spoon or spatula.
2. Mix in food coloring if using — 1 drop for a light pink, 2-3 drops for a richer reddish color.
3. Pour the mixture into your storage container and smooth with a spatula so the surface is even.
4. Sprinkle the remaining peppermint candy on top. Cover and freeze for 8-10 hours.

Can You Use an Ice Cream Maker?

Sure! The benefits to an ice cream maker is that the finished product will be ready much faster. Instead of waiting for your ice cream to freeze, an ice cream maker uses and electric motor to churn the ingredients.

An ice cream maker like this one can usually be found for under $50 and creates a luscious, creamy texture. You can be enjoying homemade ice cream in less than an hour!

You will want to carefully read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your particular model, as it may require ice, rock salt, etc.

How Long Does Homemade Ice Cream Last in the Freezer?

It’s frozen, so it should last forever in the freezer…right?

Well, not exactly! Technically yes, you could keep your homemade ice cream in the freezer indefinitely. However, over time the quality will start to degrade. The ice cream will become icier and take on the trademark “freezer-burned” qualities of stale taste and gummy texture.

An ice cream storage container will help keep your frozen creations “fresher” longer, as well as make for easier scooping. In any case, you want to make sure to use a freezer storage container with a secure lid.

When properly stored, your homemade ice cream should last for up to 1-2 weeks.

The good news is that it is easy to make a new batch whenever a candy cane craving strikes!

More of our favorite candy cane recipes:

• Peppermint Kiss Cookies
• Tipsy Peppermint Mocha Drink
• Candy Cane Sugar Cookies
• Peppermint Bark Popcorn
• Candy Cane Brownie Bombs
• Candy Cane Layer Cake
• Chocolate Dipped Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Candy Cane Jello Shots

Peppermint Ice Cream Recipe (Printable Copy)

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