Mint Ice Cream

By
Kristina Vanni
Kristina Vanni
Kristina Vanni
An internationally recognized culinary authority, Kristina Vanni is well-known for her recipe development, food photography, and experience as a TV show host.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 05/14/21
mint ice cream

The Spruce / Kristina Vanni 

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 10 mins
Chill: 10 hrs
Total: 10 hrs 20 mins
Servings: 8 servings

This version of mint ice cream tastes just like a shamrock shake. The recipe calls for green food coloring for visual appeal, but it can easily be omitted if you are a purist.

Whether you are using an old-fashioned hand-crank ice cream maker surrounded by an ice and salt mixture, a motorized appliance with a freezer bowl, or a high-end counter-top machine with a self-contained freezer bowl, be sure to carefully read and understand the manufacturer's directions and suggestions before starting the process of making homemade ice cream.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups milk

  • 2 large eggs

  • 1 cup sugar

  • 1/2 cup light corn syrup

  • 2 cups heavy cream

  • 1/2 teaspoon mint extract

  • 24 drops green food color

  • Fresh mint sprigs, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Mint Ice Cream ingredients
    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni 

  2. Place the milk in the top of a double boiler over simmering water. Warm the milk just until bubbles begin to form.

    Warm milk for Mint Ice Cream
    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  3. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, and light corn syrup.

    Mix ingredients for Mint Ice Cream
    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni 

  4. Slowly add the egg mixture to the warmed milk, stirring constantly. Cook over the simmering water for 5 minutes while stirring, or until it has thickened and reached a custard consistency. 

    Mix ingredients for Mint Ice Cream
    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni 

  5. Remove the custard from the heat. Stir in the heavy cream, mint extract, and green food color. Cool to room temperature. 

    Mix ingredients for Mint Ice Cream
    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni 

  6. Pour the custard into an airtight container and chill in the refrigerator at least 8 hours before churning. 

    Chill Mint Ice Cream
    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni 

  7. When ready to prepare the ice cream, churn according to the manufacturer’s directions.

    Churning Mint Ice Cream
    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni 

  8. Spoon the churned ice cream into a freezer-safe container. Freeze until set, at least 2 to 4 hours. 

    Freeze Mint Ice Cream
    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni 

  9. Scoop the ice cream into serving bowls and garnish with fresh mint, if desired.

Tips

  • Most ice cream makers for home use come with bowls that need to be set in the freezer overnight before churning ice cream. These bowls have double-insulated walls with coolants in between. When you are ready to churn the ice cream, the bowl is taken from the freezer and immediately set up with the dasher, locked into place, and the prepared ice cream mixture is added. The motor is then turned on and the churning begins.
  • Freezing homemade ice cream is a two-step process: churning and ripening. After the chilled custard base has been churned, it will have a looser, soft-serve texture. To achieve a scoopable consistency, the ice cream now needs to go through a process called ripening. The flavor improves and the product melts more slowly when it has ripened. Spoon the churned ice cream into an airtight freezer-safe container and freeze for at least 2-4 hours or up to overnight. It is worth the wait!

Recipe Variation

  • You can also make mint chip ice cream using this recipe. Simply add mini chocolate chips about halfway through the churning process.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
409 Calories
24g Fat
46g Carbs
5g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories 409
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 24g 31%
Saturated Fat 15g 74%
Cholesterol 119mg 40%
Sodium 77mg 3%
Total Carbohydrate 46g 17%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 46g
Protein 5g
Vitamin C 1mg 3%
Calcium 125mg 10%
Iron 0mg 2%
Potassium 164mg 3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)