We had too much mint—again. Not the sharp kind, but soft, fuzzy apple mint. My mom used to steep it in tea when we were kids to cool down long afternoons. One day, I grabbed a bunch from the garden, steeped it in warm cream, and turned it into ice cream with a little honey and vanilla.Apple Mint Ice Cream.
It was soft, fresh, and fruity—not like peppermint. More like a breeze in a bowl.
Now it’s our favorite “reset” dessert. No artificial flavors. Just a calming scoop, especially after noisy days. It’s the same kind of comfort I find in recipes like our chocolate cake mix waffles—easy, surprising, and completely satisfying.
If you’ve never tried apple mint ice cream, this is your sign.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
What Is Apple Mint Ice Cream? (With Recipe)
Apple mint ice cream is a refreshing change from the usual sharp mint flavors. Apple mint is milder—soft, fruity, and slightly floral. It blends beautifully into cream and brings a cooling, green apple-like note to each bite. This is a flavor that whispers summer, not shouts it.
Unlike store-bought mint ice cream, this version uses real apple mint leaves steeped into a creamy custard base. It’s homemade, herb-forward, and naturally sweet—similar in spirit to our white mint chocolate chip ice cream but with a lighter, fruitier twist.
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Apple Mint Ice Cream Recipe: Fresh, Creamy & Naturally Cool
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 5 hours (includes freezing)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Churned, No-Bake
- Cuisine: Herbal, Summer
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Apple mint ice cream is a refreshing summer dessert made with real apple mint leaves steeped in cream. Light, smooth, and full of natural flavor.
Ingredients
1 cup packed fresh apple mint leaves
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup honey (or 1/3 cup sugar)
4 egg yolks
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Instructions
1. Warm the milk and cream in a saucepan over medium heat until hot but not boiling.
2. Stir in apple mint leaves, cover, and steep for 30 minutes off heat.
3. Strain out mint and return cream to saucepan.
4. In a bowl, whisk egg yolks, honey, and salt.
5. Slowly temper the yolks by adding warm cream while whisking.
6. Return the mix to the pan and cook on low, stirring constantly, until it thickens and coats a spoon.
7. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Chill completely in the fridge.
8. Churn in an ice cream maker. Freeze for 4+ hours until firm.
Notes
To make this dairy-free, substitute with two cans of full-fat coconut milk.
Add crushed pistachios, apple slices, or protein cookie crumbles for texture.
No ice cream maker? Freeze in a loaf pan and stir once halfway through.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 scoop
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 21g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
Keywords: apple mint ice cream, homemade mint ice cream, garden mint dessert, fresh mint recipes
Ingredients:
- 1 cup packed apple mint leaves
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup honey or 1/3 cup sugar
- 4 egg yolks
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
- Warm cream and milk in a saucepan over medium heat—do not boil.
- Stir in apple mint leaves, cover, and steep for 30 minutes.
- Strain and return the cream to the pan.
- In a bowl, whisk egg yolks, honey (or sugar), and salt.
- Slowly whisk in warm cream to temper the yolks.
- Return to heat and cook until mixture coats the spoon.
- Remove from heat, stir in vanilla, and chill.
- Churn in an ice cream maker. Freeze for at least 4 hours.
It’s light but creamy—perfect on its own or paired with a crisp cookie or a sprinkle of mint chocolate cookie protein for extra texture.
Variations & Pairings
Apple mint ice cream is versatile. Whether you’re skipping dairy or avoiding added sugars, there’s a version that fits. This one’s for the busy days when you want something refreshing—but flexible.
No-Churn, Dairy-Free Version
Don’t have an ice cream maker? No problem. Here’s a quick way to adapt:
- Use 2 cans of full-fat coconut milk instead of cream and milk.
- Blend with 1/2 cup honey (or maple syrup), 1/2 cup packed apple mint leaves, and 1 tsp vanilla.
- Freeze in a loaf pan for 6+ hours, stirring once mid-freeze.
It’s smooth and scoopable, especially topped with chopped healthy chocolate dessert mix for a protein-rich crunch.
Best Pairings & Toppings
Apple mint ice cream plays well with subtle textures and light sweetness. Here’s what we love:
- Drizzle with honey and add toasted oats or crushed pistachios
- Serve with fresh apple slices or simple shortbread
- Layer into a parfait with crumbled mint chocolate cookie protein powder bites for texture and balance
The flavor is gentle, so it works beautifully in a bowl—or as a base for something bolder. It’s one of those quiet recipes that ends up becoming your summer favorite.
History, Fun Facts & Unusual Flavors
Apple mint isn’t a lab-made flavor—it’s a real plant, and it’s been around for centuries. A member of the mint family, apple mint has soft, fuzzy leaves and a mild, fruity aroma. It’s often grown in backyard gardens, like ours, and used in teas, salads, or even syrups.
Turning it into ice cream isn’t traditional—but it makes sense. The light apple notes and herbal base pair naturally with cream. It’s not as sharp as spearmint or peppermint, which is why apple mint ice cream feels subtle and smooth.
Is it rare? Maybe—but not the rarest.
Around the world, ice cream flavors get far stranger. Some of the rarest ones ever made include:
- Squid ink
- Pear and blue cheese
- Wasabi
- Garlic
Compared to those, apple mint is actually comforting—especially when made with familiar ingredients like honey, vanilla, and fresh herbs. It’s right up there with gentle innovations like our white mint chocolate chip ice cream—unusual, but instantly likable.
And when you grow the mint yourself? That first spoonful tastes like you made summer last a little longer.
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FAQs About Apple Mint Ice Cream
What can I do with apple mint?
Apple mint is a versatile herb. You can steep it in tea, muddle it into lemonade, mix it into fruit salads, or, like in this recipe, infuse it into cream for a fresh and subtle ice cream. It’s softer than peppermint and pairs well with honey, citrus, and mild fruits.
What is the rarest flavor of ice cream?
Some of the rarest include squid ink, garlic, and even pear-blue cheese. While apple mint ice cream isn’t common, it’s more gentle and accessible—especially when made with garden-fresh mint and familiar ingredients like those in our mint chocolate cookie protein powder treats.
What does apple mint taste like?
It’s milder than peppermint with a soft, fruity flavor that resembles green apple with a leafy finish. It’s not overpowering, which makes it ideal for infusions and desserts like this refreshing ice cream.
Does apple flavored ice cream exist?
Yes, but it’s rare. Most apple-flavored frozen desserts lean toward sorbets. Apple mint ice cream brings in a natural apple-like flavor through real herbs—no extract needed.
Conclusion
Apple mint ice cream is a gentle, refreshing recipe that celebrates natural flavor. It’s easy to make, calming to eat, and full of garden-inspired character. Whether you use an ice cream maker or go no-churn, this dessert cools you off and lifts you up.
Try it once, and like our white mint chocolate chip ice cream, it might just become your summer signature.
