Creamy Homemade Peppermint Ice Cream made with heavy cream, milk, sugar, peppermint extract, and crushed candy canes (or peppermint bark for homemade peppermint bark ice cream). This is the best peppermint ice cream recipe!
In a medium saucepan, combine heavy cream, whole milk, and sugar. Cook on medium low heat for 2-3 minutes or until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in peppermint extract and vanilla extract.
Let chill in the refrigerator or freezer for 30 minutes before placing in an ice cream maker.
When ice cream base has cooled, pour it into ice cream machine and churn according to the manufacturer's instructions. When the ice cream is almost done churning, add crushed candy canes and red food coloring, if using. If adding peppermint bark, add it now.
If you want a soft serve ice cream, you can eat it now. If you desire harder ice cream, transfer to an airtight container and allow it to freeze for at least 1-4 hours. The longer it freezes, the harder the ice cream will be.
Notes
What type of ice cream maker should I use for homemade ice cream?
The easiest ice cream maker I have found on the market is the Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker or the full Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker.You literally freeze the bowl in your freezer and pour your mix into the frozen bowl and it churns it and the ice cream is done in 20-30 minutes for softer ice cream! No ice or rock salt is needed.