Phew, the holidays are over. It’s amazing how every year it is such a mad rush from October to January. Especially when you have kids. And we aren’t big social people, so we don’t host any parties. Even with not hosting parties, things are still crazy. We always have plenty of parties through school or day care. And of course getting together with family. As much as I love all the chaos, I do look forward to slow January. There are always plenty of cold-weather activities to keep us occupied!
What are everyone’s New Year plans? Do you throw a big party and watch the ball drop? Do you go out on the town with friends or family? My goal is to go to bed as early as possible- ha! I guess that’s what happens when you are a mother of three small children, baby included. Sleep is my best friend. When I can get it, I take advantage of it! I always enjoy reflecting on past New Year’s. So many great times celebrated in different parts of the world! Ah, to be young and carefree.
Anyway.
On to this fabulous ice cream. When I was a kid, peppermint stick ice cream was my absolute favorite. I got it every time I went to an ice cream shop. Every. Single. Time. As I got older, my preferences and tastes changed. Cookie dough moved up into my number one spot and peppermint stick was forgotten over time. I hadn’t thought about it for years until I recently made chocolate peppermint ice cream. Then I got thinking, why not make it with left over candy canes from the tree with vanilla ice cream? Light bulb! (Yes, I just made a Despicable Me reference.)
This ice cream is perfection. It is rich and creamy vanilla with crushed candy canes swirled in. The candy canes melt into the ice cream, making it a beautiful pink and distributing the flavor. I wish I had more candy canes because I would make another batch! This is a great way to use up those candy canes hanging out on your tree. If your tree is still up, that is. This is a wonderful, refreshing dessert that any peppermint lover would enjoy.
Recipe adapted from Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams at Home
Peppermint Ice Cream
This ice cream is perfectly creamy with swirls of peppermint. Perfect for the holidays.
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 Tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/4 cups heavy cream
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 2 Tablespoons light corn syrup
- 1 1/2 teaspoons peppermint extract
- 1/2 cup crushed candy canes
Instructions
- To make the ice cream, whisk together the cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of the milk in a small bowl to create a slurry
- In a large bowl or plastic container, mix the cream cheese and salt together until smooth.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the remaining milk, heavy cream, sugar, corn syrup and peppermint extract. Bring to a rolling boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Let boil for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and whisk in the cornstarch mixture. Place the saucepan back over the heat and bring to a boil again over medium-high heat. Stir constantly with a heatproof spatula until slightly thickened, about 1 minute.
- Whisk the hot milk mixture into the cream cheese mixture until smooth. Cover and place in the refrigerator until completely cool, several hours or overnight. Alternatively, place over a bowl full of ice cubes until thoroughly chilled before churning.
- Freeze in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Scoop into a freezer-safe container. Fold in the crushed candy canes. Store in the freezer.
