Fresh Mint Ice Cream
Cool, creamy, and bursting with natural flavor, this Fresh Mint Ice Cream recipe is a refreshing treat that showcases the vibrant essence of real mint leaves. Made with simple ingredients like whole milk, heavy cream, and a handful of fresh mint, this no-cook ice cream base delivers a clean, herbal flavor that's far superior to artificial mint alternatives. The infusion process gently draws out the mint’s essence, resulting in a dessert that's rich, smooth, and delightfully fragrant. Add a touch of vanilla and an optional hint of green food coloring for a classic presentation. Perfect for summer days or as an after-dinner palate cleanser, this homemade ice cream is a must-try for mint lovers seeking a natural and satisfying way to enjoy their favorite herb in dessert form.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole milk
- 0.75 cup granulated sugar
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups fresh mint leaves, loosely packed
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 drops green food coloring (optional)
Instructions
In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup of whole milk, 3/4 cup of granulated sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is dissolved (about 5 minutes). Make sure not to let the milk come to a boil.
Add 2 cups of loosely packed fresh mint leaves to the milk mixture. Using a spoon, submerge the mint leaves into the milk.
Cover the saucepan, remove it from the heat, and let the mint steep in the milk for about 30 minutes. This will infuse the milk with the mint flavor.
Strain the mint-infused milk through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, pressing down on the mint leaves to extract all the liquid. Discard the mint leaves.
Return the mint-infused milk to the saucepan and add 2 cups of heavy cream. Place the saucepan back on low heat and stir occasionally until the mixture is warmed through, but not boiling.
Remove from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. If you desire a classic mint ice cream color, add 2 drops of green food coloring and stir until evenly colored.
Pour the mixture into a bowl and allow it to chill in the refrigerator for about 2 hours or until it's completely cool.
Once the mixture is cooled, pour it into an ice cream maker, and freeze according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This process usually takes about 20-25 minutes.
Transfer the ice cream to an airtight container and freeze for at least 2 hours to firm up before serving.
Serve your homemade fresh mint ice cream in bowls or cones and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2632 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 172.8 g | 222% | |
| Saturated Fat | 100.5 g | 503% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 509 mg | 170% | |
| Sodium | 892 mg | 39% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 231.8 g | 84% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 40.0 g | 143% | |
| Total Sugars | 172.3 g | ||
| Protein | 33.0 g | 66% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.7 mcg | 13% | |
| Calcium | 1801 mg | 139% | |
| Iron | 30.0 mg | 167% | |
| Potassium | 3525 mg | 75% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
