Enjoy your own refreshing homemade mint chocolate chip ice cream. Make this classic treat with the added treat of chocolate chips. Great for cooling off on hot days!
Classic Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream, is classic for a reason. A refreshing combination of flavours. The fresh mint and the rich indulgent chocolate. This flavour combination has been voted Britain’s second favourite ice cream flavour.
In this article, we’ll discuss the combination of mint and chocolate and why it works, the origins of this favourite flavour combination, some information on the health benefits of both mint and chocolate and of course, we’ll show you how you too can create this deliciously refreshing classic in your own kitchen.
If you’d rather skip straight to the recipe and step-by-step instructions, then you can scroll down to the bottom of this article.
Jump to Homemade Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Recipe
Mint and Chocolate: A Match Made in Ice Cream Heaven
Mint and chocolate together in ice cream are a wonderful combination. The mint brings a refreshing sweetness, while the chocolate adds a rich, luxurious taste, It’s a delicious mix of differences: mint’s crispness with chocolate’s creaminess and the coolness with the richness.
Let’s see why mint chocolate chip ice cream has become a beloved classic that has delighted generations and continues to win over our votes
Mint chocolate chip ice cream, with its green color and chocolate chips, has an interesting history. It’s believed to have been created by an inventive ice cream maker in the United States in the early 20th century. They mixed fresh mint leaves into ice cream, creating a refreshing flavor.
But it wasn’t until the 1970s that it became really popular. People fell in love with the minty freshness and the satisfying crunch of chocolate. Now, it’s a favorite in ice cream shops and homes. It’s even the second favourite ice cream in the nation, surprising right?
From its simple start to its current status as a beloved classic, mint chocolate chip ice cream continues to make people happy with its cool and chocolaty taste.
The Cool Origins of Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Mint chocolate chip ice cream, with its eye-catching green colour and textural chocolate chips, has an interesting history. It’s believed to have been created by an inventive ice cream maker in the United States in the early 20th century. They mixed fresh mint leaves into ice cream, creating the refreshing flavour that we know and love today.
But it wasn’t until the 1970s that it became really popular. People fell in love with the minty freshness and the satisfying, textural crunch of chocolate.
Now, Mint Choc Chip is a favourite in ice cream shops and homes around the world. It’s even the second favourite ice cream in Britain. Will all the possible flavours available, that’s quite an achievement.
From its simple start to its current status as a beloved classic, mint chocolate chip ice cream continues to make people happy with its cool and chocolaty taste.
The Healthful Perks of Mint
Mint is more than just a tasty addition to your ice cream. It has some health benefits too. Mint can help with digestion, ease headaches, and provide antioxidants. So when you enjoy mint chocolate chip ice cream in moderation, it can be both delicious and good for you.
The Tempting Health Aspects of Chocolate
The Chocolate, in mint chocolate chip ice cream, especially dark chocolate, has some surprising health benefits. It’s packed with antioxidants, which are good for your heart, mood, and brain.
When you enjoy this ice cream in moderation, you can enjoy its deliciousness and some of these health benefits too.
Cool Collaboration: Mint and Chocolate
Combining mint and chocolate in homemade mint choc chip ice cream in ice cream is bound to work as this classic combo gives you a refreshing contrast of mint’s coolness and chocolate’s richness, and it also has some wellness benefits.
Making this ice cream at home allows you to choose the very best ingredients, try different chocolate types, and adjust the minty taste as you prefer.
Enjoy a scoop of this timeless treat, but remember to enjoy it in moderation.
Homemade Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Recipe
Here’s our simple Homemade Mint Choc Chip Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 300ml double cream
- 300ml whole milk
- 90g granulated sugar, adjust to taste (you can use alternative sweeteners if preferred, see our article – Balancing Flavour and Health: Natural Sweeteners and Homemade Ice Cream – to learn more
- 2 teaspoons peppermint extract
- A pinch of salt
- 100g dark chocolate, chopped into small chunks
- Optional 2-4 drops of natural green food colouring (adjust according to your visual preference)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Ice Cream Base:
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the double cream and whole milk until well combined.
- Add Sweetness and Flavour:
- Gradually add the granulated sugar, whisking continuously until the mixture is smooth.
- Mix in the peppermint extract and a pinch of salt. Adjust the mint flavour to your preference.
- Chill the Mixture:
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the mixture for at least 2 hours or until it’s very cold.
- Churn the Ice Cream:
- Pour the chilled mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- As the ice cream begins to set (usually about 10-15 minutes into churning), add the chopped dark chocolate. Let the ice cream maker mix it in evenly.
- NB: If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you can still make this recipe. Pour the mixture into a freezer-safe container and freeze. Every 30 minutes, stir the mixture vigorously with a fork to break up ice crystals, repeating this process for about 3-4 hours or until the ice cream is firm. Please also check out our post – How to Make Homemade Ice Cream: Without an Ice Cream Maker – to learn more.
- Transfer and Freeze:
- Once the ice cream reaches a soft-serve consistency, transfer it to an airtight container.
- Smooth the top, cover, and freeze for several hours or until firm.
- Serve and Enjoy:
- Scoop out your homemade Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream into bowls or cones.
- Garnish with additional chocolate chips or mint leaves if desired.
- Enjoy your delicious creation!
This quick and easy recipe for homemade mint chocolate chip ice cream is one that the whole family will love enjoying.
Enhancing the Green Hue Naturally
Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream wouldn’t be the same without that familiar green hue that’s become its signature.
Many shop-bought options use artificial coloring, but you can make it green naturally by adding a bit of natural green food colouring when making it at home.
This step is optional as the flavour comes from peppermint extract, however, the green colouring adds a nice touch to the ice cream and something that is familiar.
You can find natural green food colouring options at health food stores or make your own using ingredients like spinach or spirulina for a visually appealing treat.
Check out our post – What Equipment Do You Need to Make Homemade Ice Cream? – for more information on the use of colourings, with useful links too.
We hope you have enjoyed learning how you too can make your own Homemade Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream with our easy and quick recipe.
Please drop us a comment below if you have any questions and it goes without saying that we would love to hear from you if you give our Homemade Mint Chocolate Chip recipe a go.
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Hi there!
I just stumbled upon your blog and I’m so glad I did! Your homemade mint chocolate chip ice cream looks amazing and sounds so refreshing. I love how you use fresh mint leaves and natural food colouring to make it. It’s such a great idea to use coconut milk and honey as well, for a dairy-free and refined sugar-free option. I’m always looking for ways to make healthier desserts for my family, and this recipe is perfect for that. I can’t wait to try it out!
I also enjoyed reading your tips and tricks on how to make the best ice cream at home. I agree that using an ice cream maker is the easiest way to get a smooth and creamy texture. I have a similar model as yours, and it works great. I also appreciate your suggestion on how to store the ice cream properly, so that it doesn’t get too hard or icy. I usually wrap mine in plastic wrap and then put it in an airtight container, but I’ll try using parchment paper next time.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe and your beautiful photos. You have a lovely blog and a great sense of humour. I look forward to reading more of your posts and trying out your other recipes. Keep up the good work!
Regards,
Marios
Hey Marios,
Thanks for your comment. Glad that you found value in our Mint Choc Chip homemade ice cream recipe and really hope you enjoy it when you do give it a go.
We love being able to share our passion with our readers and by offering hints and tips that we’ve learned along the way, hopefully, we can enable more people to create and enjoy healthy, delicious, and above all fun frozen desserts.
If you have little ones, then please check out our article – Fun Ice Cream Recipes for Kids: Getting Children Involved in the Kitchen – as this provides further guidance on how the whole family can get involved with creating delicious homemade ice creams and above all experience the joy of creating and experimenting together.
Thanks again for dropping by and do let us know how you get on with our Mint Choc Chip Homemade Ice Cream.
All the best
Cherie :o)