Candy Cane Ice Cream – Barefeet in the Kitchen

Creamy candy cane ice cream spread lengthwise with candy cane pieces perfect with brownies or with added chocolate.

Candy ice cream

Peppermint bark just might be the most ingenious holiday treat ever created. Candy canes and chocolate go together perfectly. So it only makes sense to add chopped peppermint bark or swirl some chocolate sauce into the candy cane ice cream.

I am a little essence and the purest taste. I read the labels closely to make sure they were pure extract for whatever flavor I was looking for. This is a lesson I learned the hard way after a peppermint essence mishap a few years ago.

I once accidentally bought a pure “peppermint” extract some time ago and it was a mixture of spearmint and peppermint. A lovely fragrance, but unfortunately, it left my chocolate bark tasting like a pack of gum.

Mint ice cream

Homemade peppermint ice cream is one of the creamiest ice creams I have ever made and for the record, it is worlds away from the mint flavored ice creams you can find in the store.

This candy cane ice cream is based on this recipe. The addition of extra candy cane pieces and peppermint bark makes this a really fun holiday treat.

Learn from my mistake and be sure to use PURE mint extract, read the ingredients and prepare Sure There is only mint in the extract.

Now that we’re clear on that front, in addition to using peppermint extract, I wanted this ice cream to actually taste like candy canes. For this I use my blender or food processor to mix candy canes and milk together.

Yes, you can just crush the candies and mix them in. However, this process turns the candy canes into a fine powder which then dissolves into the ice cream mixture and provides a smooth and creamy ice cream as a result. If you don’t have candy canes, Starlight mints work nicely.

Homemade ice cream

With over 70 ice cream recipes here to choose from, there is sure to be ice cream for everyone! If you’re new to making ice cream, the best and easiest vanilla ice cream is a great place to start.

These are mine Cheap containers are preferred for storing ice cream. They are perfect for gifting (who doesn’t love homemade ice cream?), storage, reuse, etc. I write the flavors on the lids with sharpie and it is washed with dish soap.

I have more ice cream scoops than I can keep track of at this point and I definitely play favorites. This ice cream ball Does the best job ever of cutting stable ice cream and still delivers a nice scoop. It gets bonus points for being one of the least expensive scopes I own as well.

Don’t miss our ice cream maker review for all the information you need to find the best ice cream maker for your needs! Spoiler alert – our top-rated machine under $50 just might surprise you. It definitely surprised me!

Peppermint ice cream

Component

• Candy canes About 30 miniature candy canes or Starlight candies, or alternatively 6 full size candy canes
• milk
• sweet cream
• Sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Peppermint extract
• kosher salt

Optional

• ¼ cup additional crushed candy canes
• 1 cup coarsely chopped mint peel
• ⅓ cup cold chocolate sauce, homemade or store bought

Candy ice cream recipe

1. Place the candy and milk in a food processor or blender and whip until the candy breaks down and mostly dissolves in the milk.
2. Whisk together the cream, sugar, vanilla, mint extract and salt. Pour into the ice cream machine and process according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
3. Transfer one third of the scooped ice cream to an airtight freezer container. Sprinkle with candy cane pieces and drizzle with chocolate sauce, if desired. Sprinkle chopped mint peel. Repeat the layers two more times.
4. Serve immediately with soft ice cream or freeze until set.

As evidenced by the different variations of mint ice cream, we love mint in many different combinations. Mocha Mint Ice Cream is another great way to enjoy your favorite Christmas flavors in a bowl of cold, creamy ice cream.

Candy cane cakes and fudges are on the list of any peppermint thing as well. Creamy dark chocolate mint fudge covered in crushed candy canes for a wonderful Christmas treat.

Candy cane chocolate cake is an intense chocolate cake with a hint of mint flavor in every bite. Drizzled with a light peppermint glaze and sprinkled with crushed candy canes, I love how festive this chocolate candy cane cake looks with barely any effort.