If you're looking for a simple peppermint ice cream recipe that doesn't require an ice cream maker, this version made with Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk is hard to beat. It's creamy, smooth, and tastes like the holidays, if you ask me. While it is a no-churn recipe that requires some passive freezer time, it comes together in minutes with just a handful of ingredients. It's perfect for using in ice cream cakes like the one in the photo.
It's one of those recipes that feels almost too easy, but the results are surprisingly rich and scoopable. The combination of whipped cream and sweetened condensed milk creates a stable, ice-cream-like texture without churning, special equipment, or complicated steps.
Why This Peppermint Ice Cream Works So Well
This recipe relies on a no-churn method that's been around for decades, and Eagle Brand is the reason it works. Sweetened condensed milk adds sweetness, body, and creaminess all at once, eliminating the need for eggs or a custard base. When folded into freshly whipped cream, it freezes into a soft, creamy ice cream instead of a solid block of ice.
Chopped peppermint candies add crunch and classic flavor, while a touch of vanilla rounds everything out. You can keep the peppermint subtle or let it shine, depending on how much candy you add.
Perfect for Scooping or Using in Desserts
One of the best things about this peppermint ice cream is its versatility. It's great scooped straight from a loaf pan, but it also works beautifully when frozen in round pans and used between cake layers. Because it freezes firm but slices cleanly, it's especially useful for ice cream cakes or semifreddo-style desserts.
Whether you're serving it plain, with chocolate sauce, or as part of a more elaborate dessert, this ice cream holds its shape and flavor.
Tips for Best Results
- Whip the cream until thick, not grainy. Soft peaks that hold their shape will give you the creamiest texture.
- Fold gently. Overmixing can deflate the cream and make the ice cream dense.
- Chop peppermint candies finely. Smaller pieces distribute better and are easier to bite into once frozen.
- Freeze thoroughly. While it will firm up in a few hours, overnight freezing gives the cleanest slices and best scoop.
Recipe
No-Churn Peppermint Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 14 oz can Eagle Brand condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- ⅔ cup chopped peppermint candies
- 2 cups heavy cream
Instructions
- Have ready a 9x5 inch loaf pan. If using the ice cream between cake layers, line two round 8 or 9 inch cake pans with plastic wrap.
- Pour condensed milk and flavorings (vanilla and peppermint) in a large mixing bowl.
- In a second bowl, whip the cream until thick. Fold the whipped cream into the condensed milk mixture, then pour into the loaf pan OR divide evenly between the cake pans. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for a 6 hours minimum or 12 hour for firmer ice cream.
pitpat says
Tis the season for pumpkin pies.
Cindi says
I use sweetened condensed milk in Peanut Butter and Oatmeal Dream Bars. 🙂
Cookies4kids says
I love it for making my favorite caramels for the holidays
Andrea D. says
I love the Magic Bars. They are my favorite. Thanks for the chance to enter.
Laura says
Definitely fudge.
Dorothea says
I use it for Key Lime Pie - yum!
Joyce Mitchell says
I make Pumpkin Crisp at Thanksgiving that uses sweetened condensed milk - delicious. Thanks.
Christina says
The best gooey popcorn balls in the world can only be made with sweetened condensed milk! It makes everything better 🙂
Kara says
I love to use Sweetened Condensed Milk for cookie dough truffles!
Gianna says
I love using sweetened condensed milk to make fudge that I pour in to my fudge cheesecake middle.
Paula d. says
I like to cook it in the can (bad me) to make dulce de leche.
Jan R says
I use condensed milk in cheesecake.
Terri says
I use sweetened condensed milk in lots of recipes, but my favorite is for cookie dough truffles.
Heidi F. says
My favorite way to use sweetened condensed milk is in key lime pie!
Vic Nicholls says
Nothing like using condensed milk for fudge! Everyone goes crazy over it.
Vic
Heather Strasser says
I want to try the sweetened condensed milk in the ice cream recipe posted here! Num!
Amanda Thompson says
I use it in my favorite caramel brownie recipe!
Cathy says
My favorite use is Can't Leave 'Em Alone Bars - an embarrassingly easy bar cookie that starts with a boxed cake mix and is always greeted with rave reviews! http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/desserts/cane28099t-leave-e28098em-alone-bars/
Candace says
one of my favorite recipes with condensed milk is on the agenda for tomorrow - peanut butter oatmeal fudge bars
tara says
I use Eagle Brand condensed milk in my favorite pumpkin cheesecake bar recipe! They're awesome!
Nicole M. says
My favorite way to use it is on Tres Leches Cake! YUM!
Dee says
I usually use condensed milk in Filipino desserts, such as leche flan or sticky treats made with Mochiko rice flour. Thanks, Anna!
Juli says
i just made a coconut tres leches cake last week, EB condensed milk, which was delicious.
Diane says
I just used it to make some pumpkin cream cheese bars !
Geri R-B says
I mix it with coconut and dollop it in a chocolate bundt cake!
Marsha M. SOCAL says
I use sweetened condensed milk in my Tres Leches cake recipe. That along with with canned milk and cream make the "3 milks"
Beth says
This time of year it's nice to make pumpkin pie. The recipe I use calls for sweetened condensed milk.
Rhonda S says
I use condensed milk in a lot of things! A few are hot chocolate, cookie bars, lemon ice box pie..the list goes on and on! And...I use my finger to get the remainder out of the can and eat it! Yummy!
Shari says
fudge...but I really have to try this ice cream!
Sara Reagan says
I love using it in cookies, and have a great recipe for a lime drink that you put in big scoops of sweetened condensed milk. Love it!
Cynna says
Yummy sounding recipe! Condensed milk is a pantry staple; especially for Christmas baking. I use it in the caramel crumb bars that I've made for years in addition to other cookie bars.
MassachusEATS says
I used sweetened condensed milk during my Christmas fudge making...and its getting closer to that time! 🙂 Thank you!!
KC Brezina says
I love using Eagle Brand condensed milk for pina coladas! YUM! and of course we all can't forget delicous chocolate fudge, soooo yummy!
Karin Muserallo says
I got very brave and attempted a recipe for Samoa Bundt Cake ( like the Girl Scout cookie ! ). I put it in a crockpot ( of course, covered with water! ) and turned it into caramel after several hours of cooking. I used it for the icing on the bundt and then sprinkled it with toasted coconut! Yum! I could have bought the canned Dulce de Leche in the ethnic section of the store but decided to stick with Eagle Brand and make my own! : )
d says
I like to use it in hot fudge sauce!!! Yum.
Carolyn says
I like using Eagle Brand for fudge!
Stacye Smith says
I make Big Red Ice Cream using 3 cans of eagle brand milk, big red and frozen strawberries. It is sooooo good. One of my favorite ice creams!!
Crystal says
I use Eagle brand condensed milk to make egg nog during the holidays. It's wonderful.
Nancy says
I use it every Christmas for my Salted Caramels. They're so easy and always a big hit.
LinC says
I use Eagle Brand condensed milk to make a really big pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving. The condensed milk makes it rich and smooth and guarantees that the filling will be perfectly set without a cracked top.
Judy says
I make a chocolate buttercream fudge at Christmas time that calls for sweetened condensed milk.
Kim says
Homemade dulce de leche! My husband likes dipping shortbread cookies into it, straight out of the can.
Janna says
My favorite way to use sweetened condensed milk is to make dulce de leche. Mmm! I say I'm going to use it for an ice cream topping or to use in a dessert, but most of the time, I just eat it right off the spoon.
justginster says
I just recently started using sweetened condensed milk to make different flavored creamers for my coffee...it's a great way to customize your coffee how you like it and it doesn't have all the weird ingredients of store-bought creamer!
neonmoon10 says
I use it for cheater fudge. I like it better than real fudge
ladywild says
I used sweetened condensed milk mostly for dulce de leche. I also love it just to dip fruit in...or a spoon.
Jennifer says
I, too, often make ice cream using sweetened condensed milk. I do make it in an ice cream maker, though.
I also use it to make various candies, including butter pecan fudge.
Heather says
I use it for cheesecake brownie bars...mmmm.
Sweet Jumbles says
My favorite use for Sweetened Condensed Milk is to make Dulce de Leche. And then that delicious treat can be added to any number of baked goods, from brownies to ice cream to cheesecake. My mouth is watering!
Anna says
A few notes -- I just edited the recipe a bit. I was going to include a scratch cake recipe, but took it out. Also, if your comment is not approved right away, don't worry because it will still appear in the order it was received.
Tara @ Chip Chip Hooray says
I like to use condensed milk to make Magic Cookie Bars and also homemade dulce de leche! 🙂
Carole Resnick says
Your cake is beautiful. I use Sweetened Condensed Milk in a variety of sweet and savory recipes. On the sweet side is fudge and it makes wonderful gravy.
CindyD says
I have an old recipe cut out of the newspaper called "Christmas Salad" that uses sweetened condensed milk. It's really a dessert and in our family it's referred to as "Pink Stuff."
sue says
I make dulce de leche out of condensed milk - easy and delicious.
corinne says
Those're some nice looking layers! I love using condensed milk in cookie dough truffles!