The World’s Easiest Candy Cane Ice Cream

Made with whipped cream, sweetened condensed milk, and crushed peppermint candy canes, this is a creamy, minty treat – perfect for the Christmas season or a cozy winter evening.

Do you remember that episode of Friends where Monica and Rachel lose their apartment to the boys after playing a trivia game? One of the questions the boys answer correctly is ‘What does Rachel claim is her favorite movie?’, followed up with ‘Her actual favorite movie is…’ (Weekend at Bernie’s) Well, mint ice cream is my Weekend at Bernie’s.

My ‘official’ answer to the favorite ice cream question is ‘lemon sorbet’ (from La Butte Glacée in Montmartre, bien sûr), but in reality that old strip-mall stand-by, Baskin-Robbins’ mint ice cream, comes up trumps every time. Just ask my poor long-suffering family who have had to wait patiently, each and every time we hit the 31 Flavors, for me to look over the offerings, analyze my mood, indeed do everything short of taking atmospheric readings, to decide which flavor I would try that day, only to inevitably order the mint.

Now by ‘mint’ I mean either mint chocolate chip or peppermint candy, where peppermint candy is by far the best solution – especially during the holiday season. Leave overnight for a firm set and then enjoy your ride down Memory Lane. Or is that Candy Cane Lane? Either way.

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For this recipe, we’re making the easiest ice cream you’ll ever see – and it is absolutely magnificent!


How to Make The World’s Easiest Candy Cane Ice Cream


Prepare the Ice Cream Base:

  1. Whip the cream:
    • In a large mixing bowl, whip the cream until soft peaks form. Be careful not to overwhip to avoid a grainy texture.
  2. Combine the condensed milk:
    • Add the condensed milk to the whipped cream. Gently whisk until combined and smooth.

How to Make Candy Cane Ice Cream


Add the Candy Canes:

  1. Crush the candy canes:
    • Place the candy canes in a zip-top bag and crush using a rolling pin or mallet. Ensure there’s a mix of fine powder and small chunks for texture.
  2. Fold into the base:
    • Gently fold the crushed candy canes into the cream mixture. Stir lightly to distribute evenly.

Freeze the Ice Cream:

  1. Transfer to a container:
    • Pour the mixture into a freezer-safe container with a lid.
  2. Stir during freezing:
    • After one hour in the freezer, stir the mixture thoroughly, scraping the bottom to redistribute the candy pieces.
  3. Repeat stirring:
    • Stir again after two hours to prevent large ice crystals from forming.
  4. Final freeze:
    • Allow the ice cream to freeze overnight for a firm set.
  5. Serve:
  • Scoop and serve your Candy Cane Ice Cream as a festive holiday treat.

Making Candy Cane Ice Cream for Christmas


101 Guide to Succeeding with Candy Cane Ice Cream


Tips for Success:

  1. Whipping the Cream:
    • Use a chilled bowl and beaters to whip the cream faster and achieve the right texture.
  2. Candy Cane Texture:
    • Ensure you have a mix of fine candy powder (for sweetness) and small chunks (for crunch).
  3. Even Distribution:
    • Stir the mixture during the first few hours of freezing to prevent candy pieces from sinking to the bottom.
  4. Storage:
    • Store in an airtight container to prevent the ice cream from absorbing other freezer odors.
  5. Flavor Variations:
    • Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract for added depth, or swirl in melted white chocolate for a fun twist.

Easy Candy Cane Ice Cream

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Easy Candy Cane Ice Cream

Easy Candy Cane Ice Cream


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 6 reviews

  • Author: Ruby Moukli
  • Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Description

Made with whipped cream, sweetened condensed milk, and crushed peppermint candy canes, this is a creamy, minty treat – perfect for the Christmas season or a cozy winter evening.


Ingredients

Scale

2 1/2 cups (600 ml) whipping (or double) cream, whipped to soft peaks

3/4 cup (200 g) sweetened condensed milk (low-fat works fine)

5 to 7 regular-sized peppermint candy canes, crushed (leave some small chunks for crunch)


Instructions

Prepare the Ice Cream Base:

  1. Whip the cream:
    • In a large mixing bowl, whip the cream until soft peaks form. Be careful not to overwhip to avoid a grainy texture.
  2. Combine the condensed milk:
    • Add the condensed milk to the whipped cream. Gently whisk until combined and smooth.

Add the Candy Canes:

  1. Crush the candy canes:
    • Place the candy canes in a zip-top bag and crush using a rolling pin or mallet. Ensure there’s a mix of fine powder and small chunks for texture.
  2. Fold into the base:
    • Gently fold the crushed candy canes into the cream mixture. Stir lightly to distribute evenly.

Freeze the Ice Cream:

  1. Transfer to a container:
    • Pour the mixture into a freezer-safe container with a lid.
  2. Stir during freezing:
    • After one hour in the freezer, stir the mixture thoroughly, scraping the bottom to redistribute the candy pieces.
  3. Repeat stirring:
    • Stir again after two hours to prevent large ice crystals from forming.
  4. Final freeze:
    • Allow the ice cream to freeze overnight for a firm set.

Serve:

  • Scoop and serve your Candy Cane Ice Cream!

Notes

Whipping the Cream:

Use a chilled bowl and beaters to whip the cream faster and achieve the right texture.

Candy Cane Texture:

Ensure you have a mix of fine candy powder (for sweetness) and small chunks (for crunch).

Even Distribution:

Stir the mixture during the first few hours of freezing to prevent candy pieces from sinking to the bottom.

Storage:

Store in an airtight container to prevent the ice cream from absorbing other freezer odors.

Flavor Variations:

Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract for added depth, or swirl in melted white chocolate for a festive twist.

  • Prep Time: 15 min
  • Freezing Time: 8 hours
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Freezing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/2 Cup
  • Calories: 220
  • Sugar: 20g
  • Sodium: 40mg
  • Fat: 14g
  • Saturated Fat: 9g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 23g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 2g
  • Cholesterol: 50mg
What do YOU think? Leave a comment! (8) What do YOU think? Leave a comment! (8)
  1. Nancy and Alisha, I have some of this in the freezer right now. This year my ‘rejects’ were broken bits of green and red candy canes, so the ice cream is kind of a funky colour. I also threw in some of the leftover silver balls from decorating the Xmas cookies, so it’s more of a fun one for the kids. But the taste is bang on! Happy holidays!

    Oh and Nancy, for when your package arrives, another fun thing I do with a candy cane is to drink milk through it like a straw. I have now taught this to my kids and they do it too. The candy is porous, so it works well and flavours the milk all pepperminty. Not for everyday, but once a year it’s good fun. :-)

  2. Ruby I’m about to say something shocking, I only ever saw like 2 episodes of Friends. Yikes, I’m so not cool. Haha! Here’s another one I haven’t had a candy cane in 9 years. I have never found them here. But when my mother-in-law asked what we wanted in our next care package I asked for candy canes. I am so going to make your ice cream. It sounds incredible and no machine needed, wohoo! Happy Holidays!!






  3. Ha! I used to “import” candy canes from the states when I lived in Germany. Your ice crem looks lovely and perfect for the season.






    1. Thanks Lora. Lately we’ve seen candy canes turning up in UK stores, but the flavour is often not quite right. Sometimes spearmint instead of peppermint, and once I grabbed a box that turned out to be cherry – bizarre!

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