Ice Cream

I love peppermint flavored candy...candy canes are one of the many reasons I love Christmas. Ever since November, when I first started seeing candy canes in stores, I had been wanting to make peppermint ice cream. Unfortunately, I didn't get around to it until after Christmas, and couldn't find and good candy canes anywhere. Luckily the round mint candies and soft peppermint candies work just as well.

This recipe uses a basic vanilla ice cream recipe, modified to add peppermints. Try varying the ratio of cream to milk to reduce calories and fat, or using Splenda instead of sugar. Just keep in mind this will significantly change the consistency of the ice cream.

Since this recipe gets better with time, as the peppermint gets absorbed into the ice cream, make it several days before you need it and keep in an airtight container in the freezer.

Vanilla Mint Ice Cream

3c heavy cream

3/4c sugar

1 1/4t vanilla extract

3/4t mint extract

crushed peppermint pieces

Pour 1c cream in a saucepan. Add sugar and a pinch of salt. Heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar is dissolved.

Remove from heat and stir in remaining cream and vanilla. Add mint extract.

Chill in fridge until cool, about 1 hour.

Freeze according to directions of your ice cream maker. About 5 minutes before finished, add in peppermint pieces.

Transfer to an airtight container and freeze.