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    Home » Recipes » Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt

    Published: Feb 28, 2022 by alexandra · This post may contain affiliate links

    Fresh Mint Oreo Ice Cream (gluten-free option)

    Jump to Recipe

    Fresh mint adds an authentically cool, creamy flavor to this double mint Oreo ice cream recipe. Think of it as mint chocolate chip - but better! - with a cookies and cream twist. With an ice cream maker, this egg-free recipe is incredibly easy to make at home, and only requires about 10 minutes of active prep time. Although it's too good to reserve for just one time of year, this Oreo ice cream is especially ideal for a summer dessert or St. Patrick's Day!

    Mint Oreo ice cream being scooped from a metal container. this recipe

    I've said it a hundred times and I'll say it a hundred more; homemade ice cream is where it's at. A decent ice cream maker and a few simple ingredients have the ability to transform even the most basic of ice cream flavors (I'm lookin' at you, vanilla) into a gourmet dessert. And I assure you, that couldn't be more true than it is with this mint Oreo ice cream!

    Jump to:
    • Why you'll love this fresh mint ice cream
    • Recipe ingredients and substitutions
    • Step-by-step instructions
    • Tips for perfect homemade ice cream
    • Serving suggestions
    • Recipe FAQ
    • More ice cream recipes you'll love
    • Recipe Card
    • 💬 Comments and Reviews

    Why you'll love this fresh mint ice cream

    • It's so easy to make. The hardest thing you'll have to do is steep some mint in heavy cream - which isn't hard at all!
    • It's egg-less. Don't get me wrong, I love the results of a custard-based ice cream. I just don't love the process. The good news is, this mint Oreo ice cream turns out thick, creamy, and perfectly scoopable straight from the freezer - without the use of eggs.
    • It's adaptable. You can swap the Oreo cookies for chocolate chips or chunks to turn this into a mint chip ice cream recipe, or skip the add-ins entirely for a plain mint ice cream.
    • The flavor is *chef's kiss*. Most recipes rely on mint extract for their flavor, but this one also uses fresh mint leaves to really kick things up a notch. Between that and the chunks of chocolate cookies and cream in every bite, you have a cool, sweet, and creamy dessert that leaves absolutely nothing lacking in the flavor department.

    Recipe ingredients and substitutions

    Labeled ingredients for mint Oreo ice cream.

    This mint oreo ice cream recipe only requires a handful of basic ingredients, many of which might already be in your kitchen, and all of which you can find at a basic grocery store. A few things to note:

    • Mint is available in many varieties, but spearmint is what you'll find in most grocery stores, and what I used here for the classic flavor you'd expect from mint ice cream. That said, feel free to experiment with other varieties if you want to switch up the flavor a bit. I can vouch for it being great with chocolate mint as well! When it comes to measuring out the mint for this recipe, measure your mint before rinsing, and squeeze out any excess water after rinsing.
    • I often use the tiniest bit of vodka to make sure my egg-free ice creams stay soft and scoopable straight from the freezer, but if you'd prefer to skip it, that's fine. It won't affect the flavor one way or another.
    • You can use mint extract, peppermint extract, or a combination of the two. If you're only going to use one, I'd opt for mint extract as a first choice.
    • The food coloring is of course optional, but gives this homemade ice cream that classic "mint chip" color (and also makes it a perfect St. Patrick's Day dessert!). I used Wilton's "Leaf Green" gel color. The amount you need will vary based on the exact color and type (liquid, gel, etc.) you use. Keep in mind that the color of the ice cream will intensify a bit as it churns, but then mellow out to a slightly cooler color once you add the chopped Oreos.
    • You can use gluten-free Oreos to keep this mint ice cream gluten-free. I'd go with the traditional Oreo cookie versus Double Stuf if you have the choice.

    Step-by-step instructions

    Step one - Steep the mint: In a small to medium saucepan, whisk together heavy cream, granulated sugar, and salt. Submerge the fresh mint and cook the mixture on the stove over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it just begins to simmer. Remove from heat, cover, and let the mint steep for one hour.

    Fresh mint being steeped in a pot of cream.

    Step two - Combine remaining ingredients: Strain the mint from the mixture, pouring the cream into a large bowl as you do so. (I love this large strainer for tasks like this!) Whisk in the milk, vodka, vanilla extract, and mint/peppermint extract, plus enough food coloring to achieve a perfect shade of mint green.

    Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate the mixture until cold - at least 5 to 6 hours, but preferably overnight. If you have a kitchen thermometer, you'll know it's cold enough once the temperature is lower than 40ºF.

    Mint ice cream base being whisked in a bowl.

    Step three - Churn: Give the ice cream mixture a quick whisk to smooth it out, and then churn it in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions. Once the ice cream is nearly done churning (with my machine, I do this at the 25 minute mark), add the chopped Oreos. Continue to churn until the cookies are dispersed and the ice cream has frozen and thickened sufficiently. (I usually churn it another 3-5 minutes after adding the Oreos.)

    Adding Oreos to ice cream in ice cream maker.

    Step four - Freeze: Transfer your ice cream to a freezer-safe lidded container, or store it in a metal loaf pan, covering the surface with plastic wrap and wrapping the entire pan in a double layer of foil. Freeze well - preferably overnight! - before serving.

    Mint ice cream sprinkled with Oreo cookie crumbs in a metal pan.

    Tips for perfect homemade ice cream

    I have a few tricks up my sleeve for churning out perfectly soft, creamy, and scoopable ice cream at home, so if you've struggled with this in the past, here are a few pointers:

    1. Use heavy cream. More fat = softer, creamier ice cream. We're not making frozen yogurt or sorbet, so don't skip the full fat cream!
    2. Add egg yolks OR alcohol. Using egg yolks to create a custard base for ice cream is always a dependable option, but it takes a little extra time (and works better for some flavors than others). In the absence of egg yolks, a small amount of alcohol (like vodka) will also help prevent a hard, icy texture by lowering the freezing point of your ice cream.
    3. Freeze rapidly. The faster your ice cream freezes, the less opportunity there will be for ice crystals to form. This is why it's important to start with a thoroughly-chilled ice cream base (colder than 40ºF before churning) and use an efficient ice cream maker (with a fully frozen bowl).
    4. Store properly. As mentioned above, make sure your ice cream is stored in a freezer-safe container or in a metal pan thoroughly wrapped in both plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Then, keep it towards the back of your freezer, where the temperature is coldest and less susceptible to warm drafts from opening and closing your freezer door.
    Mint ice cream in cones with Oreo cookie crumbs.

    Serving suggestions

    Naturally, this mint Oreo ice cream is delicious as-is - served in a bowl or waffle cone. If you can swing a chocolate waffle cone, even better. But in case you want to take your dessert to the next level, here's what I'm thinking:

    • Scoop it over peppermint brownies or Oreo brownies.
    • Sandwich it between two chocolate chip cookies or mint chip cookies.
    • Swap out the ice cream in this cake to make a mint Oreo ice cream cake!

    Recipe FAQ

    How long does homemade ice cream last in the freezer?

    When stored properly, your ice cream should stay creamy and free of ice crystals for 2-4 weeks.

    Do I need an ice cream maker to make this recipe?

    Yes - Cuisinart makes a great one! Alternatively, if you have a stand mixer with an ice cream maker attachment, that should work as well. It's worth nothing that while an ice cream maker may seem like a frivolous kitchen accessory, it quickly pays for itself when you consider the fact that 1.5 quarts of high-quality ice cream can cost anywhere from $5-$10 (or more!). Plus, homemade ice cream so often rivals anything you can buy in a store!

    More ice cream recipes you'll love

    • Confession #130: I can't get enough... Tart Frozen Yogurt
    • 10 Pound Cherry Challenge: Cherry Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
    • Berry Cheesecake Ice Cream (gluten-free option)
    • Caramel Latte Ice Cream

    Have you made this recipe?

    If so, I'd love to hear your feedback; you can leave a rating and review in the comments section below! It's also so helpful if you help spread the word by sharing this post on your favorite social media channel. If you happen to snap a photo of what you've baked, be sure to share it on Instagram and tag me (@brighteyedbaker) so I can give you a shoutout!

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    Recipe Card

    Fresh Mint Oreo Ice Cream

    Ice cream being scooped from a metal pan.
    Print Recipe
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    ★★★★★

    5 from 1 reviews

    Fresh mint adds an authentically cool, creamy flavor to this double mint Oreo ice cream recipe. Think of it as mint chocolate chip - but better! - with a cookies and cream twist. With an ice cream maker, this egg-free recipe is incredibly easy to make at home.

    • Author: Alexandra
    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Churn Time: 30 minutes
    • Cook Time: 5 minutes
    • Total Time: 45 minutes (plus chill time)
    • Yield: approx. 1 quart
    • Category: ice cream
    • Method: ice cream machine
    • Cuisine: American

    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 1 lb ½ ounce (2 cups) heavy cream
    • 5 ¼ ounces (¾ cup) granulated sugar
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt
    • 1 ounce (1 cup, packed) mint leaves (measure before rinsing)
    • 8 ½ ounces (1 cup) whole milk
    • 1 tablespoon vodka
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ½ teaspoon mint extract
    • ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
    • green food coloring, optional
    • 20 Oreos, chopped

    Instructions

    1. Steep the mint: Whisk together heavy cream, sugar, and salt in a small/medium saucepan. Submerge fresh mint in mixture and cook on the stove over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until just beginning to simmer. Remove from heat, cover, and allow mint leaves to steep for 1 hour.
    2. Combine remaining ingredients: Strain the mint from the cream, pouring the mixture into a large bowl. Add milk, vodka, vanilla, mint, and peppermint extracts. Whisk together, optionally adding food coloring as needed to achieve your desired shade of mint green. Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate the mixture until colder than 40ºF, about 5-6 hours minimum.
    3. Churn: Briefly whisk the chilled ice cream base to ensure it's smooth. Then, churn in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions. During the last 3-5 minutes of churning (I do this at the 25 minute mark) add the chopped Oreos. Continue to churn until the Oreos are dispered and the ice cream is sufficiently frozen and thick.
    4. Store: Transfer the ice cream to an airtight, freezer-safe container, or store in a metal loaf pan, covering the ice cream surface with a layer of plastic wrap and wrapping the pan in a double layer of aluminum foil. Freeze well, preferably overnight, before serving.

    Notes

    Ingredients and Substitutions:

    • Mint: Spearmint is what you'll find in most grocery stores - and what I used here - but feel free to experiment with other varieties. Measure your mint before rinsing, and squeeze out any excess water after rinsing.
    • Vodka: Optional, but will help prevent your ice cream from freezing as hard, so that it's easy to scoop straight from the freezer.
    • Extracts: If you can't find both mint extract and peppermint extract, use a full teaspoon of one or the other (preferably the former).
    • Food coloring: I used Wilton's "Leaf Green" gel color. The amount you need will vary based on the exact color and type (liquid, gel, etc.) you use. Keep in mind that the color of the ice cream will intensify a bit as it churns, but then mellow out to a slightly cooler color once you add the chopped Oreos.

    Shelf Life:

    • When stored properly in the freezer, your ice cream should stay fresh and free of ice crystals for 2-4 weeks.

    Other Notes:

    • Churn time may vary based on the ice cream maker used. 

    Keywords: mint oreo ice cream, mint ice cream, fresh mint ice cream, mint cookies and cream ice cream, oreo ice cream recipe

    Have you made this recipe?

    Tag @brighteyedbaker on Instagram and hashtag it #brighteyedbaker

          

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    1. AlexA says

      March 03, 2022 at 8:27 pm

      Ice cream with Mint & Oreos… if it’s tastes as good as these pictures look, it is a “must have”! Great Recipe!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    2. Jania says

      January 19, 2016 at 1:55 pm

      Hi, do you remove the mint after steeping? Thanks!

      Reply
      • alexandra says

        January 22, 2016 at 10:14 am

        Yes; you can either remove it immediately after steeping or wait until you're ready to churn the ice cream.

        Reply
    3. Daniel says

      October 12, 2015 at 3:17 am

      Great recipe ice cream ever seen, my kids love it so much. Thanks for sharing it

      Reply
      • alexandra says

        October 19, 2015 at 10:16 pm

        Aw that's awesome! Thanks for letting me know!!

        Reply
    4. Jamie says

      July 14, 2014 at 11:35 am

      There was a similar recipe I saw for this but used Thin Mint cookies for the taste. I don't know how similar to make it but this recipe looks amazing, too!

      Reply
      • alexandra says

        July 14, 2014 at 12:15 pm

        Thanks Jamie! I bet Thin Mint cookies would also be good in this ice cream. :)

        Reply
    5. Amy says

      July 13, 2014 at 11:29 pm

      Any excuse to eat more Oreos! ;) And our BR in town does a $1 scoop night every Tuesday. Best night of the week, and the lines are always out the door!

      Reply
      • alexandra says

        July 14, 2014 at 12:14 pm

        omg fun!!!

        Reply
    6. Amy says

      July 13, 2014 at 3:57 pm

      I spy a "new" vintage cookie sheet??? ;) LOVE the idea of combining mint + oreos! My favorite ice cream flavor from Baskin' Robins is their Oreos 'n Chocolate (chocolate ice cream, oreo chunks & fudge ribbon), so I can imagine that mint would make just as tasty of a pairing. Pinning lovely lady!

      Reply
      • alexandra says

        July 13, 2014 at 11:19 pm

        Yes, yes, yes, and thank you!! I haven't tried that BR flavor but I seriously loooove mint ice cream/froyo with oreos... so good!

        Reply
    7. Jen B says

      July 11, 2014 at 8:13 am

      If you don't have vodka, can you just omit it or is there something you can substitute?

      Thanks for your great recipes! I also made your vanilla bean ice cream and it received rave reviews!
      Jen

      Reply
      • alexandra says

        July 13, 2014 at 11:12 pm

        That's awesome!! I love that vanilla bean ice cream. (Actually, I love every ice cream recipe on the blog!). :) The vodka is there to help keep the ice cream from freezing too hard, since alcohol doesn't freeze. I think if you leave it out you should be fine, but you could also easily substitute any other alcohol that won't change the flavor of the ice cream.

        Reply
    8. dina says

      July 10, 2014 at 7:30 am

      great flavor. it looks delish!

      Reply
    9. Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking says

      July 09, 2014 at 3:22 pm

      This looks heavenly! I just bought an ice cream maker and this will be one of the first ones I make! Love your photo styling, btw! Too cute!

      Reply
    10. Sandra Rose says

      July 09, 2014 at 12:39 pm

      This ice cream is to die for! Incredible flavor; thank you!

      Reply
    11. Shashi @ RunninSrilankan says

      July 09, 2014 at 11:18 am

      I love all the flavors in this - mint and oreos are a wonderful combo - now if only I could come up with a lactose free version...

      Reply
      • alexandra says

        July 09, 2014 at 1:27 pm

        Aww, wish I could help you with that one!The flavors are so good though!

        Reply
      • Jen B says

        July 11, 2014 at 8:07 am

        You can substitute whole canned coconut milk for the dairy and use glutinos Oreo-like cookies.

        Reply
        • alexandra says

          July 13, 2014 at 11:14 pm

          Thanks so much for the tips Jen!

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