Mint Cacao Chip Ice Cream: A Refreshing ‘Healthy-ish’ Homemade Treat

There's nothing quite like homemade ice cream on a hot day. And this Mint Cacao Chip recipe is the perfect blend of refreshing mint and rich, indulgent cacao. It's easy to make and can be customised to your taste preferences. While this ice cream is a treat, it incorporates ingredients with potential health benefits.

• Mint: Known for its refreshing properties, mint can aid digestion, relieve headaches, and freshen your breath. It contains antioxidants that protect cells from damage (including sun damage).

• Cacao: The raw form of chocolate, cacao is rich in antioxidants called flavonoids. These compounds have been linked to heart health, improved mood, and cognitive function.

Ingredients:

• 220ml full-fat milk

• 75g granulated sugar

• 450ml double cream 

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 10 drops of organic peppermint essential oil

• 50g chopped cacao (optional: ceremonial cacao, cacao buttons, or cacao nibs)

Equipment:

• Medium bowl

• Ice cream maker

Instructions:

1. Prepare the base: Combine milk and sugar in a medium bowl and whisk until sugar dissolves. Stir in cream and vanilla. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight.

2. Choose your cacao: Chop 50g of cacao. For a more elevated experience, consider using ceremonial cacao like Tsatsayaku. Cacao buttons offer a slightly different texture, while cacao nibs add a delightful crunch.

3. Churn the ice cream: Fit the ice cream paddle into your ice cream maker. Pour the chilled mixture into the bowl and cover with the lid. Turn on the ice cream maker and set the timer for 40-50 minutes. For a firmer ice cream, churn for a longer period.

4. Serve or store: Enjoy your Mint Cacao Chip ice cream immediately or transfer it to an airtight container and freeze for later.

Making Ice Cream Without an Ice Cream Maker

Don't have an ice cream maker? No problem! Here's a simple method to create homemade ice cream:

1. Prepare the base: Follow the same steps as above to create the ice cream base.

2. Freeze the base: Pour the base into a freezer-safe container and freeze for several hours until partially solid.

3. Whip and freeze: Break up the frozen ice cream with a fork and whip it with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add any additional mix-ins like cacao chips at this point. Return to the freezer and repeat this process every hour or two until the ice cream reaches your desired consistency.

Tips:

• Increase the number of peppermint oil drops for a more intense mint flavour.

• Experiment with different types of cacao to find your favourite.

• Blend with milk and chocolate syrup for a refreshing mint chocolate milkshake.

Enjoy your Mint Cacao Chip Ice Cream!