Last week I bought the first ice cream maker of my life. I know that blender or no-churn ice creams are all the rage right now, but personally, nothing will ever beat a bowl of creamy, slow-churned homemade ice cream. My kids have been beside themselves with excitement. The flavor options are endless and they are full to the brim with ideas. Though “carrot” or “computer” flavored ice cream may not be happening anytime soon. Sorry kids.
For my ice cream maker’s maiden voyage, I decided to make my all time favorite ice cream flavor, with a little change:
MINT CHOCOLATE GANACHE SWIRL ICE CREAM
I love mint chocolate chip ice cream, but sometimes I’m not in the mood to crunch on frozen pieces of chocolate. I’m a bit weird, maybe? So I switched out the chocolate chips for chunky swirls of chocolate ganache. The ganache is swirled in after the mint ice cream finishes churning in the ice cream maker. Then it’s scooped into a container and frozen solid. The ganache ends up being like super fudgy, dense pieces of brownie. This is seriously yummy stuff we’re talking about, Folks.
I used Peppermint Essential Oil
to flavor my ice cream and it was fabulous. You can use mint extract, of course, but I find that the oil gives the ice cream a cooling mint flavor that doesn’t hit you over the head. It’s a little softer, somehow.
This has been one of my favorite ice creams to date and I know I will probably end up making it every few weeks. We eat a lot of ice cream around here. And by ‘We’, I mean 50% me, 25% husband, 25% kids. I mean, I just want to do my job well, that’s all. And doing my job well means that these recipes have to be tasted several times, right?
Looking for an easy blender ice cream? THIS one is a keeper. More in the mood for something rich and chocolatey? THESE are just awesome!
- 2 C. Heavy Cream
- 1 C. Whole Milk
- ¾ C. Sugar
- Green food color(optional)
- 6-7 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
- ½ C. Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips
- ¼ C. Heavy Cream
- Place the heavy cream, milk, sugar, peppermint oil, and a drop or two of green color(if using) in a large bowl. Whisk briskly for 1 minute, until sugar is dissolved.
- Place the mixture in the bowl of an ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturer instructions.
- While the ice cream is churning, make the ganache. You want it to be completely cool by the time you swirl it into the ice cream.
- Place the chocolate chips and ¼ c. cream in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high for 30 seconds. Remove and stir. Microwave for another 30 seconds and stir until the mixture is fully melted and smooth. Let cool.
- When the ice cream is finished it should be very thick and creamy.
- Scoop ⅓ of the ice cream into a loaf pan. Drizzle ⅓ of the ganache across the ice cream.
- Scoop another third of the ice cream into the pan and again, drizzle with ⅓ of the ganache. Top with the remaining ice cream and drizzle with the remaining ganache.
- Freeze until solid.
- Let stand at room tempurature for 5-10 minutes before scooping.
Oh I have to admit, I’m a bit jealous! No room for an icecream machine here… I get by with my ice cream hacks, but now you have endless possibilities! Looking forward to seeing some fab ice creams here 🙂
You are right, they definitely take up a fair share of space! Thank heavens for all of those hacks!
Love the ganache in this Kayley, so great!!
Thanks Matt! I’n a sucker for ganache.
You’re killing me here. Chocolate mint ice cream is my absolute favorite, and we have just spent 6 months weaning ourselves off of nightly ice cream.
It was nice while it lasted 😉
Haha. HOW do you have that sort of willpower?! We are just starting on a nightly ice cream kick and I’m not sure I could ever end it. Maybe the freezing winter will help?
this sounds absolutely wonderful!
Thank you Dina!
This looks delicious! Mint chocolate is one of my favorite ice cream flavors 🙂
Thank you Tina! Mine too!
This recipe makes me want to buy an ice cream machine. I love the real stuff too, made with cream. Have hand-crancked more than my share with old-fashioned bucket, ice and coarse salt.
Mint chocolate ice cream is dh’s favorite, but he doesn’t like eating frozen chocolate chips. Your ganache idea is brilliant, and I know he would love it!
Thank you Julie! The ganache is so smooth, you get all the chocolaty goodness without the crunch!
I love Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream and your recipe using chocolate swirl look absolutely delicious!! 🙂
Found your site while looking a ice cream recipes, glad I did. Check out my site sometime, I am a woodworker, love making cutting boards, cooking, grilling, hiking and gardening!
Michael
http://michaelswoodcraft.wordpress.com/ice-cream-lovers-scoop/