Balance is everything. Lately I try to keep recipes light and fresh on The Schmidty Wife, but sometimes you just need a rich scoop of ice cream. Today I’m sharing my Homemade Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream—simple, classic, and perfect for mint-and-chocolate lovers.
I hesitated to post this because it’s not the healthiest recipe I usually feature, and because it requires an ice cream maker, which not everyone has. Still, it’s worth sharing: this recipe is easy, delicious, and makes a creamy, minty treat that’s ideal for warm days or anytime you’re craving something cool and chocolatey.
My husband Matt and I are true ice cream people. While many have a favorite cookie or cake, ice cream is ours. After hinting that an ice cream maker would be a great gift, my parents surprised us with one for Matt’s birthday. It has been a game changer—plain vanilla, summer strawberry, gingerbread at Christmas, and now this mint chocolate chip have all been big hits.
If you love ice cream, I recommend getting an ice cream maker. You don’t need a high-end machine; affordable options make it easy to experiment and enjoy homemade flavors.
The Ingredients
Aside from the ice cream maker, this recipe uses just a few pantry staples: milk, heavy cream, sugar, peppermint extract, a chocolate bar for shaving, and green food coloring if you want that classic mint hue.
Combine the milk, cream, sugar, peppermint extract, and food coloring and whisk until the sugar dissolves. Pour the mixture into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions—about 30 minutes for many machines. Meanwhile, freeze and shave the chocolate. Add the shavings during the last few minutes of churning so they fold into the ice cream. Transfer to a freezer-safe container and chill for a couple of hours to firm up, or serve right away for a softer texture.
Eat It
Serve in a bowl or on a cone—either way, it’s delicious.
Making homemade ice cream is that straightforward and rewarding.
TIPS & TRICKS:
• Freeze the chocolate before shaving it, especially in warm weather. Cutting the bar into small pieces and freezing them for even five minutes makes shaving much easier and prevents melting from your hands.
• I usually use a plain Hershey’s milk chocolate bar because I like the simple flavor. You can use chocolate chips, but they will freeze and become harder to bite into compared with shaved chocolate. Feel free to try semi-sweet or dark chocolate for a richer contrast.
• An ice cream machine is recommended for this recipe. Putting the mixture straight in the freezer without churning will result in a dense, icy texture rather than smooth ice cream.
*Freezing the chocolate bar briefly makes it much easier to shave. I shave only what I need and keep the rest of the bar in the freezer until ready to use. If you don’t plan to use the shavings immediately, store them in the freezer to prevent melting.
Homemade Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
homemade mint ice cream full of chocolate shavings
5 minutes
30 minutes
3 hours
3 hours 35 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons peppermint extract
- 1 1.55 oz chocolate bar, frozen* (Hershey’s milk chocolate is what I use)
- 10 drops green food dye (optional)
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together the milk, cream, sugar, peppermint extract, and food coloring (if using) until the sugar dissolves.
- Pour the mixture into your ice cream machine and churn according to the manufacturer’s directions—about 30 minutes for many machines.
- While churning, shave the frozen chocolate bar with a grater. Freezing the bar briefly makes shaving easier, especially in warm conditions.
- In the last few minutes of churning, add the chocolate shavings so they mix evenly into the ice cream.
- Transfer the ice cream to a freezer-safe container and freeze for at least 3–4 hours to firm up. For a softer texture, serve immediately. Enjoy in a dish or on a cone.
Notes
*Freezing the chocolate bar briefly makes it much easier to shave. I usually shave only a portion at a time and keep the rest cold in the freezer. If not using the shavings right away, store them in the freezer so they don’t melt.
Nutritional data is automated; final information will vary based on ingredients and any substitutions.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 378
Total Fat: 26g
Saturated Fat: 16g
Cholesterol: 89mg
Sodium: 56mg
Carbohydrates: 34g
Fiber: 0g
Sugar: 34g
Protein: 4g
Did you make this recipe?
Please leave a comment below on the blog or share a photo and tag @the_schmidty_wife. I love seeing what you make!
Peace & Love
Lauren, The Schmidty Wife
P.S. Looking for more desserts like this mint chocolate chip ice cream? Try the Orange Spiced Carrot Cake or Chocolate Peppermint Christmas Cookies on the blog.
Please note that links on the original post may be affiliate links, which can earn a commission if you purchase through them. I recommend products I trust because they are helpful, not for commissions.