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Chocolate peppermint ice cream is a fantastic treat for a cold, winter day. Nothing sings “it’s holiday-season” like a peppermint-themed dessert.
There aren’t many flavor combinations out there that can beat chocolate and peppermint. From peppermint hot chocolate on a chilly day to this new chocolate peppermint ice cream flavor, the chocolate-peppermint combo stands far above the rest!
When I first tried this dessert, my first thought was “Wow, this tastes just like a York Peppermint Patty!”
It also reminds me of a Thin Mint, one of the most popular Girl Scout Cookies. There is no other way to describe it than a Ninja Creami version of the classic candy or cookie.
On a shopping trip where Alex and I bought six different flavors of extract, we found peppermint extract. With one of my favorite holiday-themed ice creams being peppermint, I knew we had to try it!
Alex, taking it up a level, suggested we try a chocolate base of ice cream with peppermint extract.
Who knew it would taste so good that it will be a staple in our ice cream flavor rotations not just in the winter, but year-round!
To Make Dairy-Free Chocolate Peppermint Ice Cream, Use the Following:
- 1 tbsp vegan cream cheese for 1 tbsp cream cheese
- 1 cup oat milk for 1 cup whole milk
- 3/4 cup cream of coconut for 3/4 cup heavy cream
First Time Using the Ninja Creami or Looking for Tips?
While the Ninja Creami is a machine with only 7 (or 11) buttons, it can still be intimidating! Here are a few tips and tricks Alex and I have picked up since beginning our ice cream journey with the Ninja Creami!
- Can I use hot chocolate powder instead for peppermint hot chocolate ice cream? Sure! Use it in the same proportion and it should come out delicious!
- If I put the pint back into the freezer, do I need to mix the ice cream up again before enjoying? Surprisingly, no! When using the typical base ingredients (whole milk, heavy cream), re-spinning is probably best to get the ice cream back to its original creamy consistency after freezing. However, we have found when using oat milk and cream of coconut, our first spin leaves the ice cream very creamy (almost like a soft-serve texture). After putting it in the freezer for 24 hours after this original spin, the ice cream is the perfect texture to enjoy without re-spinning! My suggestion is see how the texture is without a re-spin, and re-spin only as necessary!
- What button should I use to spin my ice cream? This all depends on the consistency you’re going for! Each button operates the machine at varying speeds. For thicker concoctions (like ice cream), the ice cream button is best. However, if using eggs in the recipe (like a gelato), use the gelato button! The sorbet button is best used with fruit mixtures. For example, if mixing a can of pineapples in heavy syrup, use the sorbet button to make a delicious fruity creation! Overall, it’s something you can experiment with to find your personal preference for your ice cream consistency!
Looking for More Ninja Creami Recipes?
If you’re on the hunt for more Ninja Creami recipes, be sure to grab one of our recipe e-books, Top 25 Ninja Creami Recipes ($2.99), or the great value of over 50 recipes in Ninja Creami Cookbook: Ice Cream & Gelato Edition! Each includes favorites such as cake batter gelato, red velvet ice cream, Shirley Temple ice cream, and many more!
If you’re like us and are running out of ice cream storage containers, grab a two-pack of Ninja Creami pints to keep your freezer full with all of your ice cream creations!
Or if you don’t have a Ninja Creami and are on the fence about getting one, check out my honest review!
Do You Want to Make Your Own Ninja Creami Cookbook?
If you want to make your own version of a Ninja Creami cookbook, check out our Ninja Creami Recipe Page Template! Besides the fun design, it has space to write the spin setting, number of servings, ingredients, directions, and notes (everything a Creami recipe needs)!
Ninja Creami Chocolate Peppermint Ice Cream
Description
This chocolate peppermint ice cream will taste just like a creamy-dessert version of a York Peppermint Patty or Thin Mint. By combining chocolate with a strong peppermint kick, this ice cream will be a treat you'll want to enjoy over and over again!
To make this recipe in the Ninja Creami Deluxe, multiply all ingredients by 1.5
Note: 1 serving = 1 pint
Ingredients
Instructions
Place 1 tbsp cream cheese in a medium bowl and microwave for 5-10 seconds. If the cream cheese was in the fridge, these 5-10 seconds in the microwave will help soften it up to mix well with the other ingredients.
Combine cream cheese with 1 tsp peppermint extract, 2 tbsp cocoa powder and 1/3 cup granulated sugar. Whisk until the ingredients are mixed together.
Slowly whisk in 1 cup whole milk and 3/4 cup heavy cream.
Pour the mixture into a Ninja Creami pint container, ensuring it does not go over the max fill line.
Freeze the pint for 24 hours, making sure it is placed on a flat surface in the freezer.
After 24 hours, remove the pint from the freezer, and plug in your Ninja Creami machine! Time for the magic.
Remove the lid from the pint and grab the Ninja Creami outer bowl. Place the pint securely into the outer bowl and cover with the lid. Once the lid is on, place the outer bowl into the machine, twisting to the right until it locks into place. Press the "Ice Cream" button and (try to) wait patiently for the creamy treat coming your way.
Once the process is finished, press and hold the button on the left side of the Creami to twist the bowl to the left and remove it from the machine. Twist the lid off of the outer bowl and remove the pint.
Now your chocolate peppermint ice cream is ready to enjoy!
Recommended Mix-Ins
1. Crushed Candy Canes or Peppermints
2. Oreo Cookies
3. Crushed Thin Mints (If it's that lucky time of year when the Girl Scouts are selling their cookies)
Note
If you don't like following recipes, don't worry - you can customize it however you want! We personally use oat milk and coconut cream to avoid most of the dairy, and it's some of the best ice cream we've ever had. The Ninja Creami provides so many options, you're bound to find a flavor you love!
If you liked this recipe, check out our more inventive ice cream take on coriander and parsley ice cream here.
Very efficiently written information. It will be supportive to anyone who utilizes it, including me. Keep up the good work – for sure i will check out more posts.
This looks AMAZING! I am gluten and dairy free. Can I sub a nut milk for the Oat milk? If so, are there any other modifications I’d need to make, in addition to the ones you’ve already listed – the vegan cream cheese and coconut cream? Will this sub work for your other Creami recipes where you sub/use oat as well, generally speaking of coarse. Thank you so very much! I’ve been hesitant to purchase a Creami because of all the subs I’d need to make due to my allergies. But because of people like yourself I finally feel like I should give it a go! Thank you so very much for your kindness and especially all of your amazing recipes. ❤️❤️❤️
You can definitely sub a nut milk for oat milk! I’ve heard almond milk may have the potential to make the ice cream a bit less creamy, but I’ve never tried because my husband has a nut allergy. There are still plenty who make their ice cream with almond milk and love it, so I’d give it a try!
You wouldn’t need to make any different subs if you’re using almond milk, and can still use the vegan cream cheese/coconut cream. I’ve found that my substitutions have worked pretty well across other recipes too!
The Creami can definitely be a little intimidating, but I hope you find some good inspiration to give it a go and enjoy it!
1 tsp of mint extract wasn’t too strong?
I thought it was perfect! I love mint flavor, so I loved it. You can always start with 1/2 tsp and go from there!
This was delicious! We’ll be making it again! I may use just a little bit less mint next time, but that’s just personal preference. Thanks for sharing a yummy recipe!