I love pink peppermint ice cream. I buy it throughout the year when I can find it, but it’s more prominent in stores at Christmastime. I didn’t want to wait for Christmas to have it, so I made my own. It’s fabulous, if I do say so myself. I’ve made it three times, and each time it’s been polished off by the family. Don’t worry, I got my fair share too. ;-)
I found a couple of recipes on the net, but ended up developing my own using the sweetened condensed milk, cream and milk formula I’ve used in a couple other recipes. Pink peppermint ice cream isn’t much different than mint chocolate chip ice cream. There are basically 2 major differences. The mix-ins (peppermint candies as opposed to chocolate) and the amount of vanilla that’s added to the mix. The amount of vanilla makes a huge difference in the flavor.
The only thing I did differently the second time around was the crush the peppermint up a little more. I had some pretty big chunks in the first batch (as pictured below), it was better with smaller pieces in my opinion. This is now a permanent recipe in my collection!
You can use candy canes or those little round peppermint candies, commonly known as Starlight Mints. Put them in a plastic zipper gallon bag and squeeze out the air. Zip it shut and crush the candy with a meat mallet or hammer.
Hint: If you’re looking for something else that’s fun to make from starlight mints or candy canes, try this Peppermint Oreo Popcorn Bark!
Sorry, I didn’t count how many candies, but you’ll need around 15 or so candy canes or a couple handfuls of the round candies. Just crush until you have a cup’s worth. If you happen to remember, leave me a comment with how many it took to get to a cup. I’ll update this next time I make it.
You’ll add the crushed candies a few minutes before turning off your ice cream maker. Then freeze!
Enjoy!
P.S. This would be amazing alongside a slice of this Peppermint Cake!
More Ice Cream Recipes
- Chocolate Ice Cream
- Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
- Vanilla Blackberry Jam Ice Cream
- No Churn Ice Cream
- Rocky Road Ice Cream
- Birthday Cake Rolled Ice Cream
Pink Peppermint Ice Cream
IMPORTANT - There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It Rate ItIngredients
- 1 14- oz can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup 1% milk
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 4 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 5 drops red food coloring
- 1 cup crushed peppermint candies or candy canes
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients except for the crushed peppermint candies in a large bowl and whisk until well combined. Pour into your ice cream maker and process according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- minutes before churning is complete, add the crushed candies to the ice cream maker.
- Turn the ice cream out into a freezer container and freeze until hard, usually a few hours or so, but overnight is best.
Amanda Formaro
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Rhonda says
My son had such fun crushing the candy canes! It took 7 candy canes and 3 Starlight Mints to give us 3/4 Cup of candy bits. Yes, we STILL have both Halloween and Christmas candy hanging around this house! Looking forward to watching this freeze soon – our maiden voyage in our new Cuisinart. Mahalo for the Recipe
Amanda Formaro says
Thanks Rhonda, how fun! Hope you enjoyed it!
Parker Gabriel says
Curious about the YIELD of this ice cream, as in how MUCH of it you GET by following the recipe. Also wonder how you would increase the amounts of supplies needed, if then to ANY amounts at ALL, in the event you planned to make ONE FULL GALLON of this!
Bess says
Merry Christmas everyone! So, I have to say, I made this recipe yesterday and ended up eating it as my pre-Christmas breakfast breakfast it was soooooooo good!
It has made my list of favorites for sure!
Amanda says
So glad you liked it Bess! It’s definitely a favorite here too :)
Lauren says
Hey, I love your recipe. I was just wondering what ice cream maker you use? I have the Cuisinart ice cream marker and is have a bowl you freeze in the center. Does it matter what machine you use with the ingredients you included?
Amanda says
I also have the Cuisinart with removable bowl that you freeze :) It shouldn’t matter what machine you use for the recipe, just follow the manufacturer’s instructions for processing the cream :)
Colleen says
Thank you for sharing this recipe! I just got through making this and I keep dipping my finger in the mix! I did not do the peppermint candies but used Andes Mints chopped up! Delish! I am not looking anymore for peppermint ice cream recipes. Happy Holidays
Amanda says
Great idea Colleen! I am actually making it right now and am using chocolate mint candy canes for the first time in it!
Jack says
The recipe says “cook time, 35 minutes.” What is cooked?? Am I missing a step? Thanks
Amanda says
No there’s no cooking, it’s just that i can’t change the verbiage of that field. So basically it’s just the amount of time to make it.
Cathy says
I’m a newbie. Is heavy cream the same as heavy WHIPPING cream?
Amanda says
Yes that’s correct! :)
Elise says
This made our Thanksgiving dessert! Complemented our “Death By Chocolate” perfectly! Thank you! I will never buy store bought ice cream again!
Amanda says
Thanks Elise! This is one of my favorite ice cream recipes :)
Cynthia says
I made this as an after-dinner surprise for the family and they really liked it. Easy to make, and this is coming from someone who’s not a good cook. I didn’t add the food coloring (I avoid additives like these whenever possible) and the ice cream looked good studded with the small pieces of peppermint candy. Thanks for sharing your recipe! I’ll be making it again.
Amanda says
Sounds wonderful, so glad you liked it! I actually need to make some, I noticed the grocery store brought theirs back for the holiday season.