Here's to the first recipe of 2011!
Peppermint Ice Cream.
{otherwise known as the quick and easy way to use up leftover candy canes}
Peppermint Ice Cream - Finding Joy in My Kitchen
3/4 C sugar
1 C whipping cream
2 C half and half
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2-3/4 tsp. peppermint extract
1-2 candy canes, coarsely crushed
Begin by placing the candy canes, unwrapped, in a plastic bag. Place the bag on a cutting board and, using a bowl or rolling pin, break the candy canes into small pieces.
Set aside.
In a large measuring cup, mix together the sugar, half and half and whipping cream. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
Then, add in the extracts. Add the vanilla first, then the peppermint. Taste a bit and see if you need more peppermint. Remember that the candy canes later will add a bit more peppermint too.
Pour the pepperminty cream mixture into the frozen bowl of your ice cream maker
. Then, allow the ice cream to make for approximately 20 minutes. 
At that point, check to see if the ice cream is fluffy. You should see the ice cream starting to come up to the top of the maker. If that's the case, add in the candy canes.
Allow the ice cream to mix with the peppermint candy canes for an additional 5-7 minutes.
Then, carefully pour or scoop the ice cream into freezer-friendly containers. I love these round twist and lock containers
; they stack well and are perfect for just a couple of ice cream servings! This means that when Frog Prince and I want ice cream, we don't have to thaw out the whole batch. 
Place the ice cream in the freezer and allow it to harden for 2-4 hours before eating.
Of course, you should taste the ice cream when transferring it to the freezer-friendly containers, and clean out the frozen ice cream maker bowl.
To serve, we recommend sprinkling some crushed up Oreos on the top! Yum!
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Recipe linked to:
