Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

Sep 8, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Dessert Ice cream frozen desserts Vanilla: Beans Medium

Two generous scoops of mint chocolate chip ice cream in a shallow ceramic bowl, softly melting at the edges

This creamy mint ice cream features real vanilla bean and fresh mint essence, studded with bittersweet chocolate chips for a refreshing and satisfying treat.

Prep 30 min

Cook 10 min

Cooling 5 hr

Total 5 hr 40 min

Servings 8

Diet —

Ingredients

Adjust yield

servings

1 ¾ cups (420.0 ml)whole milk
1 ¾ cups (420.0 ml)heavy cream
¾ cup (150.0 g)granulated sugar
1.0vanilla bean, split and scraped
¼ tsp (1.5 g)fine sea salt
¾ tsp (3.7 ml)peppermint extract
1.0 cup (175.0 g)bittersweet chocolate chips

Make it at home

As an Amazon Associate, VanillaGoods earns from qualifying purchases. We only suggest tools that fit this recipe.

Instructions

Combine whole milk, heavy cream, and granulated sugar in a medium saucepan.
Scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean and add both seeds and pod to the mixture.
Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until sugar dissolves and mixture reaches 170°F (77°C). Do not boil.
Remove from heat and let vanilla bean steep in the hot mixture for 15 minutes.
Remove and discard the vanilla bean pod, then stir in fine sea salt and peppermint extract.
Cover and refrigerate the mixture for at least 4 hours or until thoroughly chilled.
Pour the chilled custard into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions, about 20-25 minutes.
During the last 5 minutes of churning, add the bittersweet chocolate chips to evenly incorporate them.
Transfer the ice cream to a freezer-safe container, cover, and freeze for at least 1 hour to firm up before serving.

Tips

Use a high-quality vanilla bean to maximize aromatic vanilla flavor.
Add the chocolate chips near the end of churning to keep them from melting and clumping.

Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make mint chocolate chip ice cream?

Plan on 30 minutes of prep and 10 minutes of cooking, plus 5 hours to chill and freeze. The recipe makes about 1 quart (8 servings).

How should I store mint chocolate chip ice cream?

Store ice cream in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 weeks for best texture. Allow to soften at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before scooping.

Can I make mint chocolate chip ice cream ahead?

Prepare the custard base a day ahead to allow for thorough chilling and flavor development.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

Yes. This recipe uses 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped. Each teaspoon of pure vanilla extract can be swapped for 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste, the seeds of half a vanilla bean, or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla powder. Paste and seeds add the classic dark specks.

This creamy mint ice cream features real vanilla bean and fresh mint essence, studded with bittersweet chocolate chips for a refreshing and satisfying treat.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 8 servings this recipe makes.

292 Calories / serving

20.5g Fat

25.2g Carbs

3.0g Protein

25.3g Sugar

Whole recipe (8 servings): ~2336 cal · 164g fat · 202g carbs · 24g protein · 202g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.

Per serving · 292 calories

What it takes to burn one serving

Brisk walking 55 min·3.2 mi·~6450 steps
Walking uphill or incline treadmill 40 min·2.0 mi·~4000 steps
Moderate cycling 30 min·6.0 mi
Swimming laps 41 min
Jogging 29 min·2.4 mi·~4650 steps
Stair climbing 27 min·~2450 steps
Dancing 47 min
Bodyweight circuit training 30 min
Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 68 min

Rough estimates for one serving, based on standard MET values at about 155 lb. Your own burn depends on body size, effort, and fitness. Shown for context only — food is not something you have to earn.