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So you guys, guess what???

Pistachio Mint Chip Ice Cream | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Today, for the first time this year, I finally started to see buds on the trees outside my windows. YAY!! They have been bare since the end of September. I swear, I have been waiting for the return of color for far too long. I feel like this might be a sign that maybe these thunder/snow/storms and consistent state of cold and little sunshine may be ending soon.

Like I can feel it. The summer vibes are coming…I hope.

Pistachio Mint Chip Ice Cream | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Pistachio Mint Chip Ice Cream | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

No but really, I am crazy excited about these new buds on my trees. Soon they will be green leaves and I will be so happy.

Pistachio Mint Chip Ice Cream | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

So I made us a little twist on a summer ice cream classic. As a kid I wasn’t the hugest fan of mint chocolate chip ice cream, but only because there was never enough chocolate chips and the whole mint plus chocolate thing was never my favorite.

I have since learned that I was really just eating lame mint chocolate chip ice cream and that if you eat real deal mint chocolate chip ice cream it is delicious! Real deal meaning actual mint leaves… no green food coloring with a few chocolate chips scattered throughout.

Pistachio Mint Chip Ice Cream | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

When I decided it was time I make my own mint chocolate chip ice cream, I wanted to do something a little different with it, but still keep those classic flavors intact AND somehow maintain that green color without using green food coloring.

Pistachio Mint Chip Ice Cream-6

That’s when pistachios came into my mind. I am sure this has been done before, but I have never had it or really even seen it either, so I went with it, which is kind of odd since lately I have been second guessing everything. Actually, I sort of feel like I am in this creativity rut and nothing I do is any good or very creative. I really hope I snap out of it soon because creativity ruts are ZERO fun and way too time consuming. The whole second guessing thing takes too much thought, energy and time.

Pistachio Mint Chip Ice Cream | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

But this pistachio mint chip ice cream…

It’s super creamy and packed full of minty, pistachio and chocolate flavor. Kind of the perfect combo if you ask me. I used an egg custard base because personally egg custards are my all time favorite. I know some people are really into using a cream cheese base, but I love the texture, creaminess and richness that eggs give the ice cream. I promise, it’s nothing hard, but this recipe does require an ice cream maker and time for the ice cream to sit and chill, so plan ahead.

Pistachio Mint Chip Ice Cream | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Other than that, it’s easy peasy.

Pistachio Mint Chip Ice Cream | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Oh, and clearly triple scooped and chocolate dipped waffle cones are the only way to go.

Pistachio Mint Chip Ice Cream | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Pistachio Mint Chip Ice Cream.

Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 1 Quart
Calories Per Serving: 3970 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Ingredients

  • 6 large egg yolks
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 cup milk 2% or whole
  • 1 1/4 cups full fat coconut milk or heavy whipping cream divided, I like using coconut milk
  • 1/2 cup honey may sub 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 vanilla bean seed scraped + pods reserved
  • 2 cups fresh mint leaves
  • 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup roasted pistachios shelled
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips roughly chopped, OR MORE!!
  • 1/3 cup roasted pistachios roughly chopped (optional)

Instructions

  • Add the milk, 3/4 cup coconut milk (or cream), honey, vanilla bean seeds + pods and mint to a medium size sauce pot and set over medium heat. Bring the mixture to boil, watching very closely to make sure the milk does not boil over. Once the mixture is hot and steaming, remove from heat, cover, and let stand for 30 minutes to 1 hour to infuse the mint flavor.
  • In a blender or food processor, combine 3/4 cups pistachios with the remaining 1/2 cup coconut milk (or cream) and puree until completely smooth and creamy, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
  • Once the milk has been infused, strain the milk through a fine-mesh sieve (strainer) and then press down with a spatula strain as much mint flavor and color as possible. Once the flavor is squeezed out, discard the mint and vanilla bean pod.
  • In a medium size bowl whisk the egg yolks with 2 tablespoons granulated sugar until the yolks are pale yellow.
  • Place the minty milk mixture back on the stove and bring to a simmer, immediately remove from the heat and carefully pour about 1/3 cup of the hot milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to temper the eggs. Next, add the milk/egg mixture back into the pot of the remaining hot milk, whisking constantly. Place the pot back on the stove and stir the custard over low heat until thick enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon, about 5 minutes.
  • Place a fine-mesh sieve (strainer) over a large heat proof bowl and immediately strain the custard into the bowl. Stir in the pureed pistachio cream mixture, salt and vanilla and then let custard cool 10 minutes. Cover and place in the fridge for 4 hours or overnight, stirring as often as possible. If needed, the custard can be quickly cooled in the freezer for 1-2 hours, but make sure to stir the custard every 30 minutes to prevent uneven freezing.
  • Once the ice cream mixture is well chilled, freeze in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. During the last five minutes add the chopped pistachios and chocolate chips. Transfer the ice cream to an airtight container. Freeze for 4-6 hours before serving. Allow to sit on the counter five minutes before serving, scoop and enjoy!

Notes

*Ice Cream base adapted from my [Strawberry Ice Cream | https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/caramelized-strawberry-graham-cracker-crumble-ice-cream/].
 
Nutritional value based on 1 quart
View Recipe Comments

Pistachio Mint Chip Ice Cream | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

I mean, it’s Friday, live a little.

PS. Sorry for all the random stories this week. Hopefully next week my brain and thoughts will be a little more focused…it’s wishful thinking, but my fingers are crossed!

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Comments

  1. I cannot wait to make this recipe! I intend to later this week!

    Why do you need to chill the mixture before you put it in the ice cream maker? Why can’t you put it straight in there after it cools?

    Thanks!
    Rebecca

    1. Hi Rebecca, you need to chill the ice cream base before churning so that it is well chilled before you churn it. Have the mixture be cold helps it churn easier and make it creamy and perfect. Let me know if you have questions. Hope you love this ice cream!

  2. Can I make this flavor combination without an ice cream maker (aka the no-churn method)? Thanks, looks delicious! 🙂

  3. Tried this last night and, OMG, do I love it!
    For all you metric people out there:
    Ingredients:
    2 cups = 475 ml milk
    1 1/4 cups = 400 ml coconut milk
    1/2 cup = 160 g honey
    2 cups = 45 g fresh mint leaves
    3/4 cup = 125 g pistachios
    1 cup = 125 g semi-sweet chocolate chips
    1/3 cup = 50 g roasted pistachios
    Instructions:
    3/4 cup = 180 ml coconut milk