Peppermint Stick Ice Cream

“A Mother Is The Truest Friend We Have.” ~ Washington Irving

Today's special treat

Today is mother’s day – and for all you mothers out there – HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

A quick shout out to my mom:

My sisters and I are really fortunate to have the best mom in the whole world. Sure, I may be biased, but honestly any mother than can raise three daughters deserves a medal. I assure you that we were not all the easiest teenage girls in the world, and yet our mother continuously instilled in us the value of family, friendship, education and respect. We wouldn’t be here today without her (literally!) so thank you mom. We love you.

The peppermint candies awaiting their fate...

As soon as The Husband and I found out that we would be spending mother’s day with my family, it became extremely clear that I would be making peppermint stick ice cream. Or should I call it peppermint stick (minus the stick) ice cream. Are you confused? I am.

Here’s the back story. Our mom is extremely particular – in a good way – she knows exactly what she wants! Mom likes very few sweet things – and believe it or not, hold on to your hats, she does not like chocolate. Insanity I know. You may wonder where on earth I get such a love for sweets – and that’s very obviously from my dad. But, the one ice cream that mom really loves is peppermint stick. She loves that the ice cream is so refreshing, a perfect finish to any meal. Yet, the one thing mom despises more than anything is peppermint stick ice cream with actual peppermint candy pieces. In other words, heaven help us all if the peppermint stick ice cream has bits of peppermint stick in it, because mom will turn her nose up and decide instantaneously that it’s awful.

When I emailed my sisters and dad to tell them that I’d be making peppermint stick ice cream for mother’s day, they warned me loud and clear: “Word to the wise – she does not like the actual PEPPERMINTS.” and “Be sure that the peppermint sticks are really small NO CHUNKS!”

Ok, ok, I get it.

For the record, these peppermint candy pieces are way too big...this is mid-crush...

I was also reminded that my mother loves the peppermint stick ice cream from a small family owned ice cream shop in Massachusetts. In hopes of doing a little reconnaissance about their recipe, I decided to try and call the shop owner. Much to my chagrin, no one answered the phone. Finally, after a week of trying a lovely gentleman answered and I began pestering him, talking so fast that I’m not even sure if I made any sense. I told him something about how I grew up near his shop, currently write an ice cream blog, and am hoping to try and recreate his peppermint stick recipe. Let me tell you, he could not have cared less. Talk about being non plussed. Yeesh. He did, however, have one little secret to let me in on: they do, in fact, crush up real peppermint candies into the ice cream, but the pieces are so small they are more like little flakes. Ah hah! The truth comes out…

Sifting the peppermint candies (saving the larger pieces to re-crush until they are small enough!)

The ice cream mixture dotted with tiny pieces of peppermint candies

The finished product!