March 31, 2016

Thin Mint ice cream

What's your favorite Girl Scout cookie?  Mine is definitely Thin Mints.  A couple of weeks ago, my husband brought home a few of boxes from work.  While we certainly don't need help polishing them off, I had the itch to take some and use it to make a batch of Thin Mint ice cream.
So I simply whipped up a minty ice cream base.  Maybe I should say, gelato.  I used a simple base recipe from The Ciao Bella Book of Gelato.  It's custard base, using a higher ratio of milk to cream, which is typical of gelato recipes.  I really like this because not only is it lighter, it also gives the flavor more of a chance to shine.  
I considered doing more of a "cookies & cream" base and flavoring the custard with vanilla but, in the end, I added peppermint extract and kept the mint theme going.

I find that after churning ice cream/gelato, it's a very good idea to let it "rest" overnight or a day in the freezer.  The flavor gets a chance to meld and intensify and you taste more than just the dairy.  
So this is another way to enjoy your Thin Mint cookies.  I love ice cream with chunks and lots of texture so embedding minty ice cream with hunks of Thin Mint cookies is a good way to go.

I've been putting my ice cream maker to work pretty consistently.  Now that spring is here and summer isn't far behind, I can't wait to whip up more batches!




Recipe:

Thin Mint Ice Cream (Gelato)
Mint gelato base adapted from The Ciao Bella Book of Gelato

- Makes approximately 1 quart - 

2 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
4 large egg yolks
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
Approximately 15 Thin Mint cookies (use more or less, as you prefer), coarsely chopped

In a large saucepan, heat milk and cream over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until bubbles begin to form at the edges (the temperature should be around 170 degree).  

In a medium size heat-proof bowl, whisk the egg yolks together.  Then, whisk the sugar into the yolks until the mixture thickens and looks pale yellow in color.  Temper the egg yolks by slowly adding some of hot cream and milk mixture into the yolks while whisking continuously.  (I usually add a couple of ladles, roughly 3/4 cups of the hot mixture into the yolks.)  Scrape the custard into the saucepan and cook over low heat (do not bring to a boil).  Cook, stirring continuously with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, until the custard is thick enough to coat the back of the spoon.  It should reach a temperature near 185 degrees.

Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl.  Let cool to room temperature, then refrigerate overnight or until the custard is very cold.  Right before churning in your ice cream maker, gently whisk in the peppermint extract.  

Churn gelato according to manufacturer's instructions, adding the Thin Mint cookies at the very last minute of churning (you could also fold it in by hand, using a rubber spatula).  Transfer to a storage container and freeze overnight before serving.  


22 comments:

  1. wow it's already ice cream time? It looks really creamy and smooth!

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    1. haha - ice cream has no season, Angie! ; ) I've been churning all year long.

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  2. You had me at mint ice-cream. And now you have me wishing I could take that scoop through the screen! YUM!

    Anu
    http://www.mygingergarlickitchen.com/

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    1. haha - mint chip is one of my favorite flavors...Thin Mint cookies aren't too bad either.

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  3. This looks gorgeous! Love that you used the gelato base- I much much prefer gelato to ice cream, because to me it tastes more decadent even though it's lighter (a win-win!)

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    1. Yes, the fact that it's lighter is like a bonus. I love how much more intense the flavor is with gelato.

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  4. Thin mints and the ones with the peanut butter (that I can't remember the name of right now... lol). This ice cream sounds sooo good! I eat ice cream all year round but with the weather getting a bit warmer I definitely want it even more! Have a great rest of the week Monica!!

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    1. I need to branch out beyond the world of Thin Mints myself but I'm loyal. ; ) I've been making ice cream/gelato way too much but now it feels I can do it openly. It's getting warm, right? ; )

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  5. AMAZING! I'm loving that you did a cookie and cream flavor. That way the thin mint flavors can really shine through. I really wish I have saved up some thin mints for this! :(

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    1. You can't go wrong with adding some Thin Mints to ice cream, right? ; ) Have a great weekend!

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  6. OMG. Thin mints are my favorite cookie and ice cream is my favorite dessert. DROOOOLING.

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    1. Thanks : ) I find ice cream in general brings on the drool. For me, anyway...

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  7. Yum, it looks like you've mastered the gelato ;) I've been seeing thin mint ice creams popping up around ice cream/custard shops nearby, and it sounds so good. I always like to eat my thin mints cold, so this is the perfect way to have a cold thin mint mixed in with a cold ice cream treat (:

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    1. haha - I do love this 2 parts milk; 1 part cream custard base so I use it a lot. You are so right about enjoying the cookies cold. It works. Have a great weekend, Monica.

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  8. Hi Monica, oh I love those little cookies, great idea to incorporate them into ice cream. There is always a small tub of gelato in our freezer, my fav. Should start making my own I bet it is so much better. Looks delicious!

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    1. When we travel, I love looking for gelato shops and looking at all the amazing flavors. I hope you make your own batch soon, Cheri. : )

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  9. I want that right now :-) Looks so creamy and super delicious dear!

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  10. I have never had thin mints, but they look insanely tasty. And I love a hint of mint in ice cream!

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    1. Thanks, Mariana. Thin Mints are these chocolaty, crisp, peppermint cookies...pretty fabulous.

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  11. Chocolate & mint is my husband's favorite ice cream and I love that you added Thin Mints. Such a tasty idea! Samoas are my favorite and I used some to make an ice box cake and now I want this ice cream. Looks SO good :)

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    1. Love your ice box creations and all your ice creams and treats! Can't wait for summer to fully bask in all those wonderful things. : )

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