2 Minute Chocolate Peppermint Ice Cream

You’ll love this healthy peppermint ice cream! It takes just two minutes to make in your food processor and “nice cream” is so much better for you than regular ice cream!

I love ice cream. You guys know that. But I really love peppermint ice cream. One of my holiday highlights is when the limited edition of Edy’s/Dreyer’s peppermint ice cream hits stores in November.

My family knows of my obsession. One time in high school, my brothers tried to mock me by scooping nearly the entire contents of a half gallon container into my bowl and serving it to me during dessert. Joke was on them: I didn’t put any back. Although, maybe the joke was on me…check out that hair. Eek.

This year, when I bought my first container (usually of many), I was disappointed. It had a weird texture – kind of gummy – and the flavor tasted more like chemicals than peppermint. A quick glance at the ingredients revealed all sorts of gunk that shouldn’t be in ice cream.  So until I get my hands on the Whole Foods all-natural variety, I’ve come up with my own peppermint “ice cream” fix.

2 Minute Chocolate Peppermint Ice “Cream”

• 1 sliced and frozen banana
• 1 heaping tablespoon cocoa powder
• 1-3 t peppermint simple syrup, to taste
• 1-2 T milk, as needed
• crushed peppermint candy or part of a candy cane

1. In a small food processor (it works much better than a large one), combine all ingredients except the peppermint candy. Add just enough milk to get it all to start to blend.
2. Continue to blend for 60-90 seconds until the mixtures becomes very creamy and fluffy. Scrape down sides and smash the banana slices around as needed to get it to whip.
3. Toss in your crushed peppermint goodies and give it one more whirl until it’s combined.
4. Top with extra peppermint for a festive garnish.

{Note: I made my own peppermint simple syrup using Heather’s recipe. I’ve been using this coffee and hot chocolate too.}

I didn’t have a candy cane around (the horror, I know) when I made this most recent batch so these pictures are sans peppermint crunch. Still tasty without it, but much better with.

The creaminess of banana ice “cream” just can’t be beat. 

It’s tastes much better if you eat it with a very small spoon. I promise.

The next time I make this, I’m going to try it without cocoa…I’m curious if the peppermint simple syrup with cover up the banana flavor and be closer to the original flavor I crave or if it will be a kitchen disaster.

By the way, Maizey got a Christmas present early that she wants to show you.Behold the puppa coat. Poor thing would shiver on our walks and when we went camping, so we got her this doggy jacket. She walks like a total goof in it but at least she’s warm.

Do you have a favorite holiday ice cream? Egg nog? Pumpkin? Peppermint? Obviously, my favorite is peppermint.

What are your thoughts on clothes for dogs? I think it’s hilarious to put headbands on Maizey or old shirts, but it lasts about as long as it takes to snap a picture. Besides, she’s too wound up to handle anything on her for long. And I would never dress my dog up for style. But this jacket serves a much-needed purpose so it’s justified. But she does look pretty cute in it, right?? (My mother is shaking her head and my dad is saying, “Dogs don’t wear clothes. And they belong outside.”)

P.S. If you are a new reader resulting from the article in the Winston Salem Journal today, WELCOME!!! Thank you for stopping by! Please stick around and leave some comments. I love to hear from my readers and to hear from locals.