Vegan mint chocolate chip ice cream made with only 4 key ingredients! This ice cream is easy to make and doesn't need an ice cream maker. You can use this recipe to make a vegan mint chocolate ice cream cake!
What to expect from this recipe
If you make this vegan ice cream using peppermint extract and food coloring, your ice cream will be incredibly soft and creamy! Depending on the type of cream that you use, it tends to be a little softer than store-bought vegan ice cream.
Alternatively, if you make this recipe using fresh mint and spinach, it'll be a little firmer than store-bought ice cream.
Ingredients to make this recipe
Notes about the ingredients
Dairy-free whipping cream OR thick scoopable coconut cream. If you use coconut cream, I recommend buying full-fat canned cream rather than canned coconut milk as you'll get more of thick scoopable cream.
Dairy-free condensed milk such as soy, coconut or oat. You can use either store-bought or homemade. We don't have to add sugar or maple syrup to the ice cream as the condensed milk is already sweet! The condensed milk prevents the cream from freezing into a brick of ice. Note that this isn't the same as evaporated milk!
Peppermint extract or fresh mint leaves for flavor. Mint leaves on their own will make the ice cream a very pale green. As David Lebovitz says, mint is a plant so it naturally varies in color and flavor, so you may need to add more or less, as needed.
Vanilla extract and salt (optional but recommended). Alcohol and salt lowers the freezing temperature of the ice cream which means your ice cream is less likely to freeze into a solid block.
If you'd like to make your ice cream green, you can use either green food coloring or baby spinach leaves. Don't worry, it won't taste like spinach!
The full list of ingredient quantities and instructions are in the gray recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Optional: using fresh mint leaves and spinach
If you're using mint leaves or baby spinach leaves, it's best to first blend them with a small portion of your dairy-free cream. If you're just using peppermint extract and green food coloring, you can skip this step!
The color of your green mixture will look anywhere from fluorescent green to a dull slime like it's from a children's movie. This is hugely dependent on the color of your leaves! Either way, the color is diluted in the final mint ice cream.
You can use the mint spinach cream (with the pulp) as is. Alternatively, you can sieve the mixture to remove any chunks of leaves. Some graininess may remain which is fine!
Once you've done that, mix the green cream with your dairy-free condensed milk, vanilla extract and salt, if using. Chill in the fridge until needed.
How to make the mint ice cream
If you're using peppermint extract or store-bought food coloring, add them directly to your can of condensed milk and mix until combined. If you're using vanilla extract or salt, mix them with your condensed milk too. It's easier to mix these ingredients now than later on. And by mixing them in the can, there's one less bowl to wash!
Pour your dairy-free cream (or scoop your thick coconut cream) into a large bowl or stand mixer. Using an electric whisk or a whisk attachment, whisk the cream until soft peaks form.
I had to change bowls as I didn't anticipate how much my plant cream would grow (hint: much more than coconut cream)! Some brands of coconut cream don't expand significantly after whipping so you may get a little less than pictured.
Then add your minty condensed milk to the bowl of whipped cream.
Using a spatula, fold the mixture until combined! We want to make sure the condensed milk and cream are well combined while maintaining as much air in the cream as possible.
Then add your chocolate chips and fold until just combined.
Pour or scoop your vegan mint chocolate chip ice cream into a freezer-safe container or tin. I used an 8-inch loaf tin!
Sprinkle your ice cream with the remaining chocolate. Cover and freeze for at least 4 hours or until firm.
Customizing this vegan ice cream
Yes, for an extra refreshing ice cream!
Yes, the dairy-free cream, condensed milk and vanilla are an excellent vanilla ice cream base. Feel free to flavor it however you like!
Alternatively, you may like my vegan biscoff ice cream.
Yes, there is a slight coconut aftertaste just like store-bought coconut ice cream. I'd call it a coconut mint ice cream!
If you freeze the ice cream for only 2-4 hours, the ice cream will be a wonderful soft-serve consistency!.
Yes, go ahead! Add them at the same time as the chocolate :).
More vegan ice cream recipes
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Vegan Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 500 g dairy free whipping cream, or thick scoopable coconut cream, chilled overnight
- 320 g dairy-free sweetened condensed milk, soy, coconut or oat (about 1 standard can)
- 3 teaspoons peppermint extract, or 1 cup (30g) fresh mint leaves, to taste
- Green food colouring, as needed or 1 cup (30g) fresh spinach leaves (optional, note 1)
- 200 g finely chopped vegan chocolate or chocolate chips
Optional add-ins
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
IF using fresh mint and spinach leaves:
- Add ½ cup (120g) of the whipping cream, all the mint and spinach leaves to a tall jug. Blend using a stick blender until the mixture is as fine as possible and there are no chunks of leaves. You may also use a stand blender for this step, though it may be difficult to blend this small amount.
- If desired, sieve the green creamy mixture into a bowl, pressing out as much liquid as possible. Discard the remaining pulp. Alternatively, use the creamy green mixture with the pulp.
- Add all of the condensed milk to the remaining green paste. Add vanilla extract and salt if desired. Mix until well combined.
IF using peppermint extract and green food colouring
- Add the peppermint extract and green food colouring directly to your can of condensed milk. If using, add vanilla extract and salt too. Mix until well combined.
To make the vegan mint chocolate chip ice cream
- Add the dairy free whipping cream (or thick coconut cream) to a large bowl or stand mixer. Whip until soft peaks form.
- Add the condensed milk mixture to the whipped cream. Use a spatula to gently fold together the ingredients.
- Add the chocolate to to the bowl and fold until combined.
- Pour or scoop the mint ice cream into a freezer-safe tin or container. I used an 8 inch loaf tin. Top the ice cream with the remaining chocolate.
- Cover the ice cream and freeze for 4 hours or until firm to the touch.
- Serve and enjoy! The ice cream can usually be enjoyed straight from the freezer. However, if the ice cream is too firm, defrost for 10 minutes at room temperature until scoopable.
- Store the ice cream covered in the freezer for up to 2 weeks (though, it usually doesn't last that long)!
Notes
- The amount of food colouring needed will depend on the brand/type you use. I'd recommend starting with ½ teaspoon and increasing it to colour. Keep in mind that liquid food colouring is less intense than gel food colouring. If you're using spinach, feel free to use less or more spinach leaves.
Nutrition
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First time making vegan icecream - it's surprisingly good! Will make this recipe again!
Hi Hazel, aw I'm so glad you enjoyed this ice cream! Thanks so much for your feedback 🙂
Yum!
Hi anthea
What can I use instead of vegan condensed milk?
We don’t have that product in my country
TIA
Hi Alicia, I'm not sure if vegan condensed milk can be substituted. However, it's easy to make at home with just coconut milk and sugar! There are a few recipes online if you google 'vegan condensed milk' (I haven't created my own recipe for that yet). Hope that helps :).