The only thing better than peppermint bark candy is ice cream with peppermint bark. Every year I would wait for the limited release of holiday peppermint ice cream. My favorites are Haagen-Dazs Peppermint Bark Ice Cream and Edy's Slow Churned Peppermint Ice Cream. As quick as these ice creams are available they are gone. Why is the ice cream only available during the holidays? Peppermint is always delicious! The moment I received one of my most prized gifts, an ice cream maker, I started making my own peppermint bark ice cream. The great thing about making your own ice cream is you can add any amount of candy and flavor as you want.

Below is a recipe to make peppermint bark ice cream in an ice cream maker. Keep reading even if you do not have an ice cream maker. I will also provide instructions on spicing up some plain vanilla ice cream.

Peppermint Bark Ice Cream in the ice cream maker
Makes 1 1/2 quarts

Ingredients:

2 cups cream
1 cup milk
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
1/2 cup of white and milk chocolate peppermint bark broken into small pieces
1/2 cup of crushed peppermint candies or candy canes (4 candy canes crushed typically equals 1/2 cup).

Directions:

Make the ice cream according to the instructions that come with your ice cream maker. The easiest way to prepare the candy canes or peppermint candies is to crush in a blender.

Peppermint Bark Ice Cream Without an ice cream maker

Ingredients:

1 1/2 quart container of your favorite vanilla ice cream, softened
1 teaspoon of peppermint extract
1/2 cup of white and milk chocolate peppermint bark broken into pieces
1/2 cup of crushed peppermint candies or candy canes (4 candy canes crushed typically equals 1/2 cup).

Directions:

1. Scoop the softened vanilla ice cream into a large mixing bowl.
2. Stir in the peppermint extract, peppermint bark, and peppermint candies.
3. Freeze for at least 2 hours in a freezer safe container.

Sweeten the Soul with Chocolate and Enjoy!