Ice cream isn’t a typical first choice winter dessert. At least not around here where the windchill was -10 last evening. That being said, this easy peppermint ice cream captures the flavor of the season and is deeeeeliiiiicioussssssssss. It begs to be eaten all winter long. I have a thing for ice cream with crunchy bits and this recipe hits the crunchy bit spot. As a child, I remember trips to the real ice cream shop. I loved the bubble gum ice cream with the bubble gum bits inside. It’s like getting a present with another present inside. The peppermint candy bits soften just bit in the ice cream and it’s so refreshing.
This recipe is one where you add a couple of items to store bought ice cream (my recipe adds a little more of the extra stuff because more is better, right?!). It’s brilliant, it’s delicious, it’s easy. However, since cracking into Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream At Home cookbook, I have developed a deep affinity for from-scratch ice cream; homemade vanillas are my favorite. I posted an adaptation of one of Jeni’s recipes a few years ago – Vanilla Roasted Raspberry Crisp – the base of which is her wonderful vanilla recipe (my recipe doubles the quantities of the original). I have plans to make this delectable vanilla base and then add in the extras from this recipe. Can’t wait!
Recipe modified from G Bakes, seen in Better Homes & Garden
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 - 1 3/4 quarts vanilla ice cream
- 5 ounces white chocolate
- 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste or vanilla
- 2/3-3/4 cup striped round peppermint candies, broken
Instructions
- Remove the ice cream from the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes.
- Once it is soft enough to stir, place it in a bowl.
- While the ice cream softens, place the chocolate in a bowl and microwave it until just melted, 1-1/2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds.
- Add the melted chocolate and vanilla bean paste/vanilla to the softened ice cream and stir to combine.
- Scoop the ice cream into another freezer-safe container.
- Sprinkle the crushed candy over the top and gently stir to incorporate.
- Cover and freeze until frozen.
