Twist Peppermint Mint Vanilla (Printable)

A creamy peppermint and vanilla swirl dessert that offers a cool, refreshing finish ideal for gatherings.

# Ingredient List:

→ Dairy

01 - 2 cups heavy cream
02 - 1 cup whole milk

→ Sweetener

03 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar

→ Flavorings

04 - 1 1/2 teaspoons pure peppermint extract
05 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

→ Coloring & Swirl

06 - A few drops green food coloring (optional)

→ Toppings

07 - 1/3 cup crushed peppermint candies or candy canes
08 - Whipped cream, for serving

# Directions:

01 - Whisk together heavy cream, whole milk, and granulated sugar in a large bowl until sugar is fully dissolved.
02 - Stir in the peppermint extract and vanilla extract until evenly blended.
03 - Optionally divide the mixture into two bowls, tint one with green food coloring, and leave the other plain.
04 - Alternate spoonfuls of the plain and colored mixtures into a loaf pan or freezer-safe container, then gently swirl using a knife.
05 - Cover tightly and freeze for at least 2 hours or until the mixture is set.
06 - Scoop into bowls or glasses and garnish with crushed peppermint candies and whipped cream if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in 20 minutes of actual work, then the freezer does the heavy lifting while you relax.
  • The swirl technique feels impressive but requires nothing more than a knife and a little patience.
  • That perfect balance of creamy, minty, and just sweet enough keeps people coming back for seconds.
02 -
  • If your mixture seems to freeze unevenly or develops ice crystals, it's because air pockets formed during swirling—stirring gently but thoroughly before freezing prevents this heartbreak.
  • The peppermint extract is potent; start with a teaspoon and taste before adding more, because you can always add but you can't take it back.
03 -
  • Cold ingredients freeze more evenly and faster, so keep your cream and milk in the fridge until the moment you use them.
  • If your dessert freezes too hard and becomes impossible to scoop, let it sit on the counter for five minutes—patience here makes serving easier and actually lets the flavors shine through better than when it's rock solid.

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