DIY Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

Mint chocolate chip is one of my favorite ice cream flavors. It is simple and refreshing.

Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

• ¾ cup sugar*
• 2 cups whole milk (divided)**
• 5 egg yolks**
• 1 cup heavy (whipping) cream**
• 1 tsp mint extract
• ½ chocolate chips or chunks (homemade works great)

Get out all of the ingredients, as well as a saucepan, a small bowl, a mixing bowl, a whisk, a spatula, measuring cups, and spoons. Begin heating 1 cup of milk and sugar slowly in a saucepan. Whisk egg yolks, and begin adding some of the warm milk mixture to the egg yolks. When the egg yolk mixture is warm, add it into the milk mixture, and continue heating over low heat, stirring frequently until the custard thickens enough to coat the spatula or spoon. Pour 1 cup milk and 1 cup cream into the mixing bowl. Add the custard into the milk and cream. If the custard has any lumps, pour through a strainer when adding it to the milk and cream. Add mint extract, and stir well.

At this point, you can freeze the ice cream in an ice cream maker if you have one. Or if you don't have an ice cream freezer, you can follow the directions here to freeze in your regular freezer. When the ice cream is mostly frozen, stir in chocolate, and continue freezing until firm.

This recipe makes about 1 quart or liter of ice cream.

* Reducing the amount of sugar or changing the type of sweetener can dramatically effect the consistency of frozen yogurt or ice cream.

** Personally I love this ratio of sugar, milk, egg yolks, and cream. I think this is very rich recipe the way it is. However, if you want an even richer ice cream, you can use 2 cups cream, 1 cup of whole milk, and increase the egg yolks up to 8. If you are looking for a lighter frozen treat, you could try one of these frozen yogurt recipes.