• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Simply So Good

  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Contact
You are here: Home / Recipes / Spring Mint Chip Ice Cream

Spring Mint Chip Ice Cream

March 9, 2022 4 Comments

98 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
three scoops ice cream in black bowl

Spring Mint Chip Ice Cream is my first attempt at begging Spring to come.  Fresh mint is steeped in milk and cream with natural color and chocolate shavings.  Fresh peppermint is beginning to sprout in my garden and is peeping through a thin layer of snow.  I’m ushering in Spring and St. Patrick’s Day with this natural green refreshing garden mint ice cream.

Spring Mint Chip Ice Cream

I’ve been playing around with natural colors and dyes.  Beets make a beautiful pink color in ice cream and icing for cakes.  Why not try spinach to make a beautiful and natural spring green?  The color is perfect without any spinach flavor to the ice cream. 

Spring Min Chip Ice Cream

How to make Spring Mint Ice Cream

Fresh mint steeping in cream
Fresh mint in a mesh strainer
  • In a saucepan, add cream, milk, 1/4 cup of sugar, and kosher salt.  Heat mixture until bubbles begin to form around the edges.  Remove from heat add fresh mint.  Cover and allow to sit and steep for 20 minutes.
  • After 20 minutes, strain milk/mint mixture through a fine-mesh strainer.  Discard mint.  OR you can skip the process of steeping the fresh mint and add peppermint extract after the mixture has cooled.

How to Make Peppermint Ice Cream Base

milk pouring into a pot
whisking eggs
pouring hot milk into egg mixture
wooden spoon stirring custard
wooden spoon with finger wiped across
custard pouring through mesh strainer
  • Return milk mixture back to pan and reheat until mixture barely begins to simmer.
  • Meanwhile, whisk the remaining 1/4 cup sugar into the egg mixture.
  • When the milk has reheated and has come to a low simmer, pour 1/2 cup of the hot mixture into the egg mixture stirring constantly.  Add an additional 1/2 cup of the hot milk mixture and stir to combine.
  • Pour the egg mixture into the pan with the remaining milk mixture.  Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly.
  • Cook until the mixture begins to thicken and coats the back of a spoon.  Test by running your finger across the spoon.  It should leave a trail.
  • Run the hot mixture through a fine-mesh strainer.

Adding Natural Color and Dye

spinach juice pouring into custard
light green custard in bowl
picture of a bottle of natural peppermint extract
  • Try experimenting with adding color to foods with natural ingredients rather than adding food coloring.  Adding 2 tablespoons of spinach juice to the ice cream custard created the perfect spring mint green.  I really like it.  Of course, you can pass on the spinach juice and add a few drops of green food color OR forget the color altogether.  White mint chip ice cream is perfectly acceptable.
  • Cover lightly and refrigerate until chilled.  Approximately 4 hours.  It’s best chilled overnight.  I’m a big fan of the overnight chill.  
  • Taste the mixture.  If you think it needs a stronger mint flavor add a few drops of peppermint extract.  Pour the ice cream base into your ice cream machine and freeze according to the manufacturer’s directions.  Add finely chopped chocolate the last 5 minutes of freezing.
  • Transfer chilled ice cream to a container.  Cover and chill until ready to serve.
    mint chip ice cream in a loaf pan with chocolate shavings

Transfer chilled ice cream to a container.  Cover and chill until ready to serve.

Spring Mint Chip Ice Cream in black bowl

 

How about that natural color!  Enjoy!

Spring Mint Chip Ice Cream in black bowl
5 from 2 votes
Print

Spring Mint Chip Ice Cream

Fresh mint is steeped in milk and cream with natural color and chocolate shavings.  Fresh peppermint is beginning to sprout in my garden and is peeping through a thin layer of snow.  I’m ushering in Spring and St. Patrick’s Day with this natural green refreshing garden mint ice cream

Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword chocolate chip mint ice cream, Mint ice cream, Spring Mint Chip Ice Cream
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 40 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 382 kcal
Author Janet Barton

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cream
  • 1 cup 2% milk
  • 1/2 cup cane sugar
  • 1/4 tsp kosher salt
  • 5 egg yolks
  • 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
  • 2 tbsp spinach juice or a few drops green food color
  • 4 ounces semisweet chocolate chopped
  • drew drops peppermint extract optional

Instructions

  1. In a saucepan, add cream, milk, 1/4 cup sugar, and kosher salt. Heat mixture until bubbles begin to form around the edges. Remove from heat add fresh mint. Cover and allow to sit and steep for 20 minutes.

  2. After 20 minutes, strain milk/mint mixture through a fine-mesh strainer. Discard mint. OR you can skip the process of steeping the fresh mint and add peppermint extract after the mixture has cooled.

  3. Return milk mixture back to pan and reheat until mixture barely begins to simmer. Meanwhile, whisk remaining 1/4 cup sugar into egg mixture.
  4. When the milk has reheated and has come to a low simmer, pour 1/2 cup of the hot mixture into the egg mixture stirring constantly. Add an additional 1/2 cup of the hot milk mixture and stir to combine.

  5. Pour the egg mixture into the pan with the remaining milk mixture. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook until the mixture begins to thicken and coats the back of a spoon. Test by running your finger across the spoon. It should leave a trail.
  6. Pour the hot mixture through a fine-mesh strainer. Of course, you can pass on the spinach juice and add a few drops of green food color OR forget the color altogether. White mint chip ice cream is perfectly acceptable.

  7. Cover lightly and refrigerate until chilled. Approximately 4 hours. It’s best chilled overnight. I’m a big fan of chilling overnight.
  8. Taste the mixture. If you think it needs a stronger mint flavor add a few drops of peppermint extract. Pour the ice cream base into your ice cream machine and freeze according to manufacturers directions. Add finely chopped chocolate the last 5 minutes of freezing.
  9. Transfer ice cream to a chilled container. Freeze until ready to serve.

Recipe Notes

  • Please note that the times specified are for cooking custard only. Recommended chill time is at least 4 hours to overnight. Actually, the freezing time is approximately 30 minutes.
  • Chances are you think I'm nuts for using fresh mint and steeping it into the milk. If you don't want to mess with that, just add 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract.
  • If you think I'm even crazier for juicing spinach to create the green color, just use a few drops of green food color OR don't use any color at all. White mint ice cream is completely acceptable.
    I love semi-sweet chocolate, but milk chocolate may be used as well.
  • I use organic milk and cream. I purchase my heavy cream that only contains cream. No artificial thickeners. Cane sugar. Cage-free eggs. Making this ice cream health food...right?
Nutrition Facts
Spring Mint Chip Ice Cream
Amount Per Serving (1 g)
Calories 382 Calories from Fat 279
% Daily Value*
Fat 31g48%
Saturated Fat 18g90%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 9g
Cholesterol 207mg69%
Sodium 117mg5%
Potassium 199mg6%
Carbohydrates 24g8%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 19g21%
Protein 5g10%
Vitamin A 1194IU24%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 104mg10%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

*This recipe is a revised recipe from 2017.  A new recipe card and links have been added.

You May Also Love

Three chocolate mint brownies stacked on wooden cutting board
Hazelnut Chocolate Brownies stacked
Layered Cream Cheese Brownies

Share this:

  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook

Related

Filed Under: Dessert, Ice Cream, Recipes Tagged With: Ice cream, mint chip ice cream, peppermint ice cream

Previous Post: « Sugar Cookie Guide
Next Post: 10 Spring Recipe Favorites »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Candi says

    May 11, 2018 at 3:04 am

    Janet, this looks SO good!! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Janet Barton says

      May 15, 2018 at 12:09 am

      Thank you, Candi. It was so great to meat you.

      Reply
  2. Ann says

    May 1, 2018 at 3:06 am

    5 stars
    I love how This Recipe is naturally dyed!

    Reply
    • Janet Barton says

      May 1, 2018 at 7:57 pm

      Thanks, Ann. I appreciate your comment.

      Reply
5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

About Me

Janet Barton

Hi I'm Janet and this is where I share my delicious made-from-scratch seasonal recipes that I make at home for my family every day.

I believe cooking from scratch, using unprocessed and whole foods is an important part of healthy eating. My goal is to help you create amazing recipes by providing easy step-by-step photos and instructions.

Read More ยป

Trending Recipes

  • No-knead Crusty Bread in a Dutch oven No-knead Crusty Bread

  • Several chocolate drop cookies on white background Chocolate Drop Cookies

  • chocolate glazed and glazed spudnuts stacked on cutting board with donut holes Spudnuts (Potato Doughnuts with Glaze)

  • Large jar of spicy sweet bread and butter pickles with habanero peppers and onions. Spicy Sweet Refrigerator Pickles

  • Lemonade and raspberry lemonade in tall glasses Old Fashioned Lemonade

  • Lemon Curd Ice Cream in bread pan with spoon Lemon Curd Ice Cream

  • Wooden board with chocolate cookies with half chocolate icing and half vanilla icing Chocolate Half Moon Cookies

  • fried ice cream with spoonful taken out with honey and berries Fried Ice Cream

  • Glass of almond milk with 2 gray striped straws on wood board with container of almond milk in background Quick Homemade Almond Milk

  • pink iced heart sugar cookies Sour Cream Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

Latest on Instagram

simplysogood

๐Ÿ‹ I teach you how to cook from scratch
๐Ÿ’ Follow simple step-by-step recipes
๐Ÿซ A lover of fresh, seasonal, & local ingredients

Fresh Herb Crockpot Turkey Breast with Brown Butte Fresh Herb Crockpot Turkey Breast with Brown Butter Pears is perfect for a smaller but still impressive Thanksgiving dinner. This easy recipe features a boneless turkey breast coated in homemade herb butter and "roasted" in a slow cooker, then served with a creamy cider herb gravy and sautรฉed browned butter pears....

https://www.simplysogood.com/fresh-herb-crockpot-turkey-breast-with-brown-butter-pears/
These strawberry rhubarb crumble bars will take yo These strawberry rhubarb crumble bars will take you straight to dessert paradise! ๐Ÿฅฐโ ๐Ÿ“
.โ 
Sweet-tart love in every bite, theyโ€™re the perfect treat for sunny days and cozy nights. Grab a bar and letโ€™s indulge in this fruity delight!โ 
.โ 
Give this recipe a try by clicking the link in my Instagram bio, where I post step-by-step photo instructions!
โ 
#rhubarbseason #homemadewithlove #dessertclub #strawberryrhubarb #strawberryrhubarbpie #strawberrycrumble #strawberryrhubarbcrumble
Baking up some homemade magic with my no-knead Lem Baking up some homemade magic with my no-knead Lemon Rosemary Gruyere bread!
โ€ข
This recipe is as easy as pie (or should I say bread?), bringing the flavors of tangy lemon, fragrant rosemary, and oh-so-melty Gruyere to life. ๐Ÿ‹๐Ÿž๐ŸŒฑ
โ€ข
Click the link in my bio to read through these helpful tips that will make your homemade bread a melt-in-your-mouth success!

#homemadebread #nokneadbread #gruyerebread #lemoncheesebread #cheesebread #homemadecheesebread
Starting the day off right with these indulgent no Starting the day off right with these indulgent no-knead brioche morning buns! ๐ŸคŽ Thereโ€™s just something about the buttery, flaky brioche and the sweet cinnamon swirl that makes mornings extra special.
โ€ข
The base dough recipe for no-knead brioche morning buns is a buttery no-knead dough that is refrigerated overnight. The chilled dough is very easy to roll, fill, slice, and bake.
โ€ข
So go ahead, treat yourself to something delicious and let these buns brighten up your day! 

The recipe link is in my Instagram bio!

#MorningTreats #BriocheLove #SweetIndulgence #cinnamonsugar #cinnamonandsugar #morningbuns
No fancy Ice Cream Maker โ€” no problem! ๐Ÿฆ๐Ÿจ No fancy Ice Cream Maker โ€” no problem! ๐Ÿฆ๐Ÿจ This no churn Strawberry Raspberry Ice Cream recipe is quick and easy to make without an ice cream maker in only 10 minutes.
โ€ข
Simply blend together a mix of frozen strawberries and raspberries with vanilla ice cream and raspberry sherbet for a rich, fruity, and creamy dessert that tastes homemade! ๐Ÿ“
โ€ข
Give this recipe a try by clicking the link in my Instagram bio, where I post step-by-step photo instructions!

#nochurnicecream #homemadeicecream #strawberryicecream #raspberryicecream #kidfriendlyrecipes #simplerecipes
These chewy peanut butter bars have been a family These chewy peanut butter bars have been a family favorite for decades! Peanut butter cookies layered with chocolate and a delicious peanut butter glaze! ๐Ÿฅœ๐Ÿซ
โ€ข
Trust me, your family will LOVE them!
โ€ข
Click the link in my bio to read through these helpful tips that will make your peanut butter bars a melt-in-your-mouth success!

#peanutbutterbars #peanutbuttercookies #pbbars #peanutbutterchocolate #peanutbutterlover #pbandchocolate
Start your day off on a flaky note with these skys Start your day off on a flaky note with these skyscraper buttermilk biscuits!
These melt-in-your-mouth treats are the perfect indulgence for breakfast, brunch, or anytime youโ€™re craving something buttery and delicious.
โ€ข
So go ahead, treat yourself to these heavenly delights and savor every flakey, buttery bite with me!
โ€ข
The recipe link is in my Instagram bio!

#butterybiscuits #homemadeisbest #breakfastindulgence #brunchgoals
Sharing my famous Lemon Curd Recipe! ๐Ÿ‹๐ŸŒผ๐Ÿ’› Sharing my famous Lemon Curd Recipe! ๐Ÿ‹๐ŸŒผ๐Ÿ’› The one that everyone says I should sell at farmers markets โ€” nah! Iโ€™ll just share the recipe with you all instead!
โ€ข
I love lemon curd, and use it for so many things!!
๐Ÿฐ Layered in a cake
๐Ÿฆ Swirled into ice cream
๐Ÿช Smashed between cookies
โ˜€๏ธ Filled inside scones

The possibilities are endless!! Give this recipe a try by clicking the link in my Instagram bio! And if youโ€™d like the recipes for my other lemon curd inspired goodies, theyโ€™re all linked in my Instagram stories!

#lemoncurd #lemoncurdcake #lemoncurdicecream #lemonicecream #lemondessert #lemoncurdrecipe
Have you ever tried an olive oil cake!? ๐Ÿฐ They Have you ever tried an olive oil cake!? ๐Ÿฐ They are incredibly soft and moist โ€” you gotta give it a try!
โ€ข
This citrus olive oil cake recipe features a tart lemon curd filling and a rich mascarpone frosting. Then we gently add flowers for beautiful decoration. It is an impressive looking and mouth-watering dessert thatโ€™s perfect for any special occasion! ๐Ÿ‹๐Ÿค๐ŸŒผ

Recipe is linked in my Instagram bio!

#oliveoilcake #oliveoilcakes #lemoncurdcake #mascarponefrosting #mascarponeicing
Follow on Instagram
  • No-knead Crusty Bread in a Dutch oven No-knead Crusty Bread posted on September 19, 2018

  • Several chocolate drop cookies on white background Chocolate Drop Cookies posted on May 20, 2024

  • chocolate glazed and glazed spudnuts stacked on cutting board with donut holes Spudnuts (Potato Doughnuts with Glaze) posted on October 21, 2019

  • Large jar of spicy sweet bread and butter pickles with habanero peppers and onions. Spicy Sweet Refrigerator Pickles posted on July 22, 2019

  • Lemonade and raspberry lemonade in tall glasses Old Fashioned Lemonade posted on June 22, 2018

  • Lemon Curd Ice Cream in bread pan with spoon Lemon Curd Ice Cream posted on May 25, 2023

  • Wooden board with chocolate cookies with half chocolate icing and half vanilla icing Chocolate Half Moon Cookies posted on April 5, 2024

  • fried ice cream with spoonful taken out with honey and berries Fried Ice Cream posted on May 4, 2025

  • Glass of almond milk with 2 gray striped straws on wood board with container of almond milk in background Quick Homemade Almond Milk posted on June 3, 2020

  • pink iced heart sugar cookies Sour Cream Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting posted on February 8, 2025

Footer

Featured on

The Daily Meal Logo The foodgawker-logo reddit Logo BuzzFeed Logo halfbaked Harvest Logo Browneyed Baker Logo FOOD52 Logo University of Washington Logo sheknows Logo

Copyright © 2025 Janet Barton
Privacy Policy

 

Loading Comments...
 

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.