Peppermint Ice Cream

Jun 24, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Dessert Ice cream frozen desserts Vanilla: Extract Easy

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

Creamy homemade peppermint ice cream flavored with pure vanilla and peppermint extracts for a refreshing, festive treat perfect year-round.

Prep 15 min

Cook 15 min

Cooling 6 hr

Total 6 hr 30 min

Servings 8

Diet —

Ingredients

Adjust yield

servings

1.0 cup (240.0 ml)whole milk
2.0 cups (480.0 ml)heavy cream
¾ cup (150.0 g)granulated sugar
⅛ tspfine sea salt
1.0 tbsp (15.0 ml)pure vanilla extract
¼ tsp (1.25 ml)peppermint extract

Make it at home

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Instructions

In a medium saucepan, combine the whole milk, granulated sugar, and fine sea salt. Warm over medium heat, stirring frequently, until sugar is completely dissolved and mixture is hot but not boiling, about 5-7 minutes.
Remove from heat and stir in the heavy cream, pure vanilla extract, and peppermint extract until combined.
Transfer the mixture to a bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight to develop flavor and cool completely.
Once chilled, pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer's instructions until it reaches a soft-serve consistency, about 20-25 minutes.
Transfer the ice cream to a freezer-safe container, cover, and freeze for at least 4 hours to firm up before serving.

Tips

Use pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste for a rich, authentic vanilla flavor in the base.
Make sure the ice cream base is thoroughly chilled before churning to ensure smooth texture and proper freezing.

Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make peppermint ice cream?

Plan on 15 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of cooking, plus 6 hours to chill and freeze. The recipe makes about 1 quart (8 servings).

How should I store peppermint ice cream?

Store leftover peppermint ice cream in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 weeks. Allow to soften slightly at room temperature before scooping.

Can I make peppermint ice cream ahead?

The ice cream base can be made and chilled up to 24 hours in advance.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

Yes. This recipe uses 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract (15 ml). 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.

Creamy homemade peppermint ice cream flavored with pure vanilla and peppermint extracts for a refreshing, festive treat perfect year-round.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 8 servings this recipe makes.

299 Calories / serving

22.4g Fat

22.1g Carbs

2.4g Protein

22.2g Sugar

Whole recipe (8 servings): ~2392 cal · 179g fat · 177g carbs · 19g protein · 178g sugar

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

Per serving · 299 calories

What it takes to burn one serving

Brisk walking 57 min·3.3 mi·~6650 steps
Walking uphill or incline treadmill 41 min·2.1 mi·~4100 steps
Moderate cycling 30 min·6.0 mi
Swimming laps 42 min
Jogging 29 min·2.4 mi·~4650 steps
Stair climbing 28 min·~2500 steps
Dancing 49 min
Bodyweight circuit training 30 min
Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 69 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.

Made with VanillaGoods

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