No-Churn Humbug Ice Cream Recipe – Inspired by a Classic Mint & Toffee Sweet

Craving a nostalgic treat? Our no-churn Humbug Ice Cream recipe blends cool peppermint and rich toffee for a frozen twist on the classic British sweet. Learn about Humbug’s unique flavour profile, see our homemade recipe, with perfect toppings and add-ons.

A Sweet Surprise From Great Aunt Jen 🍬

Recently, while visiting my Great Aunt Jen — yes, the Great Aunt Jen who’s told me not to even think about turning up at her house unless I’ve got a tub of my Rum and Raisin Ice Cream in hand – I spotted a bowl of humbugs on her side table.

I said, “Ohh, I love humbugs! I haven’t seen these in years!” Naturally, I nabbed one. That first taste? Pure nostalgia, childhood memories instantly flooding back. Sharp peppermint which gives way to rich, chewy toffee — absolutely delish, and such a nostalgic treat.

The next thing I knew, Aunt Jen was back from the kitchen with a whole bag of them — and insisted I take them home (oh, if I must!).

(Note to self: next visit, definitely check what else she’s stashed away in that kitchen. Treasure trove, clearly!)

That little peppermint-and-toffee hit got me thinking… could this flavour combo work in an ice cream? Something minty but mellow, sweet but sharp? Only one way to find out.

So today, we’re reimagining this classic British sweet into something cold, creamy, and irresistibly nostalgic.

Introducing our Homemade Humbug Ice Cream — no-churn, a little quirky, full of personality, and packed with that signature Humbug nostalgia, the ultimate frozen tribute to a childhood favourite.

👉🏽 Note: If you want to find out more about Great Aunt Jen and my Rum n Raisin Ice cream, you can use the following link for the full story and recipe: A Decadent Rum and Raisin Ice Cream Recipe

In This Article, We’ll Share:

✨ What exactly is a humbug? (For those of you who are unfamiliar with this classic British sweet)
✨ Why peppermint and toffee are such a perfect duo and how these contrasting flavours work beautifully in ice cream
✨ Our no-churn Homemade Humbug Ice Cream Recipe
✨ A Bonus Homemade Toffee Sauce Recipe
✨ Topping ideas to elevate your scoops to something truly special

Let’s get into it…

If you’d like to go straight to our Homemade Humbug Ice Cream Recipe, please use the following link, or read along to find out more.

So, What Is a Humbug?

If you didn’t grow up in the UK — or near a grandparent with a sweet tooth — you might not know what a humbug is. These are classic striped boiled sweets, usually black-and-white or brown-and-white, with a bold peppermint kick and a surprise toffee centre.

They’re a proper old-school sweetshop treasure — the sort you’d find tucked into a paper bag, clinking alongside sherbet lemons, pear drops, and rhubarb and custards.

Speaking of which, if you’re enjoying this little stroll down sweetshop memory lane, don’t miss our Homemade Rhubarb & Custard Ice Cream Recipe — it’s another throwback flavour turned frozen treat, where tangy rhubarb meets silky custard in a spoonful of pure nostalgia.

Humbugs are simple but clever. They start off crisp and minty, then soften into something richer and chewier, like if a peppermint and a toffee had a little moment and decided to have a baby!

They’re nostalgic. They’re bold. And once you’ve had one, you never really forget them.

The Magic of Peppermint and Toffee

On paper, it might sound like a clash — icy-cool mint and buttery-sweet toffee — but in practice? These flavours are magic together.

Peppermint brings the refreshment – it’s bright, fresh, and cuts through sweetness. Toffee, on the other hand, adds a slow warmth and caramel depth. The contrast is exactly what makes it work — they balance each other out beautifully. It’s like the mint lifts the toffee, while the toffee mellows the mint.

In ice cream, that dynamic only gets better.

Why Humbug Flavours Shine in Ice Cream

When we started developing this flavour, we wanted to keep the essence of the sweet intact, to maintain that duality and the essence of what makes Humbug so special – that sharp-to-smooth transition, with a little surprise in each bite. In ice cream, this combo is a revelation.

Here’s why it works so well:

🥶 Peppermint + Cream = Refreshing but Not Overpowering
The mint gives the ice cream a cool, clean feel that isn’t too toothpaste-y (a danger with mint if you’re heavy-handed!).

🍬 Toffee = Richness and Depth
Swirls of toffee sauce echo that chewy centre of the sweet, adding body and a hint of decadence.

🍭 Crushed Humbugs = Texture and Flavour Pops
Little bits of the original sweet give texture, variety, and mini flavour explosions as you scoop.

Together? It’s bold, nostalgic, and just unusual enough to feel like a unique treat. Whether you grew up on humbugs or you’re discovering them for the first time, this recipe captures the joy of an old-fashioned sweet in the form of a modern dessert.

Ready to whip up a batch of frozen nostalgia?

Homemade Humbug Ice Cream Recipe (No-Churn)

(Prep time: 20 minutes, Freezing: 6-8 hours (or overnight)

Here’s our tried-and-tested recipe for Humbug ice cream that takes the humble humbug from pocket sweet to freezer showstopper.

No ice cream maker? No worries – this is a no-churn recipe, so all you’ll need is a mixing bowl, electric or hand whisk, spatula, freezer-safe container and a bit of elbow grease!

Ingredients

• 600ml double cream
• 397g tin of sweetened condensed milk
• 1 tsp peppermint extract (adjust to taste)
• 100g humbugs (or hard mint toffee sweets), crushed into small chunks
• 2 tbsp toffee sauce (shop-bought or homemade – See below for our Toffee Sauce Recipe)
• Pinch of sea salt (optional, for extra flavour pop)

Equipment

• Large mixing bowl
• Electric whisk or hand whisk
• Spatula
• Freezer-safe container (about 1 litre)

Method

1. Whip the Cream: Pour the double cream into a large mixing bowl and whisk until soft peaks form – it should look fluffy but not stiff.
2. Mix the Base: Gently fold in the condensed milk with a spatula until smooth. Add the peppermint extract and a pinch of salt (if using), stirring to combine. Taste and tweak the mintiness if you fancy.
3. Add the Goodies: Fold in half the crushed humbugs and drizzle in the toffee sauce. Don’t overmix – you want swirls, not a uniform blend.
4. Freeze It: Spoon the mixture into your container, sprinkle the remaining humbug chunks on top, and cover. Freeze for 6-8 hours, or until firm.
5. Serve: Let it sit at room temperature for 5 minutes before scooping – it’ll be easier to dish up that way.

Nutritional Values (Per 100g Serving, Approx.)

• Energy: 320 kcal | Fat: 24g (of which saturates: 15g) | Carbohydrates: 25g (of which sugars: 22g) | Protein: 3g | Salt: 0.1g
  Note: Values vary based on exact ingredients and portion size.

Bonus Recipe: Homemade Toffee Sauce

If you’re feeling fancy (and want to avoid store-bought), here’s a quick toffee sauce to whip up and add to your Humbug Ice Cream:

Ingredients:

• 50g unsalted butter
• 100g soft light brown sugar
• 100ml double cream
• Pinch of salt

Method:

1. Melt the butter and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.
2. Stir in the cream and salt, and simmer for 2–3 minutes until thickened slightly.
3. Cool before swirling into your ice cream to replicate the signature humbug look

Topping Ideas to Elevate Your Humbug Ice Cream

This humbug ice cream is a star on its own, but a sprinkle of this or a drizzle of that can take it to the next level.

Here are some ideas to complement the minty-toffee vibe:

• Crushed Meringue: Adds a light, crisp texture that plays off the creaminess.
• Dark Chocolate Shavings: The bittersweet edge cuts through the sweetness beautifully.
• Toffee Bits: Double down on that golden flavour with extra crunch.
• Fresh Mint Leaves: A pop of green and a herbal lift – enhances the peppermint even more.
• Warm Caramel Sauce: Drizzle it on just before serving for a gooey contrast.

The Final Scoop

And there you have it — a new classic in the making perhaps?

Humbug Ice Cream takes a nostalgic British sweet and gives it a delicious frozen twist. It’s punchy, creamy, and full of contrast — cool and warm, smooth and crunchy, playful and comforting.

Give it a whirl, and let us know how it turns out. Will you stick with peppermint and toffee? Or maybe add your own spin? We’d love to hear about your tweaks and topping combos!

👉🏽 What other childhood sweets would you like to see transformed into an ice cream? Leave us a comment below or tag us in your creations online!

We hope that you have enjoyed our article – No-Churn Humbug Ice Cream Recipe – Inspired by a Classic Mint & Toffee Sweet – and that we have inspired you to give this recipe inspired by a childhood sweet, a go. If you have any questions, please drop us a comment below, and we will be happy to get back to you.

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