Something I continue to learn about life is that the more you are open to change, the happier you will be. I tend to be someone who has expectations of a daily routine and if something comes off kilter, it can throw me off. People tell me that when you have kids, these “expectations” tend to go out the window but seeing that A). I don’t have kids and B). I don’t see having them in the near future {ie: in the next 10 years, if ever}, I found that baking makes an excellent substitution. You see, initially I set out to recreate a McDonald’s Shamrock shake (green-colored mint flavored ice cream beverage) but then something crazy happened:
I accidentally threw in a handful of chocolate chips. Maybe it was the green that lured me to do so but regardless, once I did this, I felt like I compromised the integrity of the shake. So my mind immediately went to straight-up ice cream {I know, not much of a jump right? but wait until you taste this!} And not just any ice cream but one of my all-time favorite flavors: (now vegan) Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream.
*And* in these CUTE containers from here!
Vegan Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Recipe
This is a foundation for you to build upon according to taste preference. Add or subtract as you please.
INGREDIENTS:
- 3 c. non-dairy ice cream {I used Trader Joe’s Soy Ice Cream}
- 1/3 c. hemp milk {or other non-dairy milk}
- 1/4-1/2 tsp peppermint extract {start off with the smallest amount and gradually add according to taste}
- 1/2 c. vegan chocolate chips
- green food coloring
DIRECTIONS:
- Blend everything in a blender {except for the chocolate chips} until combined and smooth.
- Stir in chocolate chips.
- Pour into individual containers or a tub. Freeze.
The mixture of the mint flavoring and chocolate chips completely makes this vegan ice cream 100% comparable to the store-bought brand. In fact, I’m not sure if you can tell, but while taking these pictures, my mouth was unable to stop spoonful after spoonful shoveling to the point where only half of the ice cream was left in the container . I love taking pictures of food…
This goes straight to my “what-to-try-out”-list.
YES! Then I will put it on my Make-sure-to-ask-Katharina-what-she-thinks-about-it list 🙂 xo
I love how you always make me smile 🙂
You have no idea how the feeling is mutual!!!
Oh wow, this looks amazing! And so simple, too. I’ll have to try this one 🙂
It really is simple AND tastes just like the real thing. Enjoy! xo
Mmmm I love Ice Cream; it has been since forever since I have had mint chocolate chip though; I think this is even better than a Shamrock Shake! One of my Friends, when she was pregnant that is the one thing that she craved and ate until they stopped serving them at Mc D’s.
Love, love the ice cream containers- super adorable!
Let’s hope when we decide to have children (if ever) that we don’t crave the McRib :/
I like making things in the food processor because there is ALWAYS bowl to lick (and blades, but that’s very very dangerous. Ha).
Love this idea as it does not involve an ice cream machine (which I would love, but Viper has banned me from appliances… exceot for when I’m rich I can have a Vita Mix!) SO love those little tubs, argh too cute 🙂
I’m working on some RAW, vegan chocolate chips at the moment, wheeeeeeee! Must buy mint extract!
Let us all pause and think of the day when we all own a VitaMix…I cannot wait for that day. And you better not make us wait too long for that raw recipe!! That sounds incredible, Lou.
I once made very similar ice cream but used tiny bit of spinach for food colouring, It doesn’t affect the flavour though. I love the containers!
That is such a great idea! Did you just blend it into the ice cream raw?
I am totally the same way! Ive learned to really embrace change and whatever life throws at me these days and I’ve been much happier!
As for this yummy yummy ice cream, it looks and sounds delish! I love minty desserts – and anything with chocolate chips makes me happy 🙂
I wish I was as flexible as you–I cannot say embracing change is my strength as of it, but I am learning. I am sure that having a business is really teaching you that even more so though, huh?? xo
baahaahaa
I’ll get you, my pretty, and your little dog, too!
For the last time, Greg is NOT a dog, Laurel…
Your chocolate mint ice cream looks fabulous! I whole heartedly approve of the move to add chocolate chips. (They’re always an improvement!) I concur with all of the comments about the adorable containers. Whenever I visit Cost Plus, I feel like I’ve gone on a little trip. I like wandering through all of the different sections and picking up new food items. I think you and I would make great shopping buddies!
I’ve already made our plans: We will go to Santa Monica for a raw lunch, then head over to Manhattan Beach where both Cost Plus AND Anthro are located. The only requirement for the day? Shop til we drop. It’s a motto I live by every day 🙂 xo! When you coming to Cali for a visit?
Cara.. you are such a darling.. but I don’t know about this mint LOL. I love the chocolate. Well, since your taste is wonderful.. I think I will try this out 🙂
You don’t like mint??? Please tell me I read that incorrectly… *sniffles*
Oh stop that sniffling girl lol. I am going to try it 😉
I still got it 🙂 The tears always work for me. ha!
Awesome ice cream with a wicked colour :D. How apt. I can’t do pull ups either… well, I couldn’t last time I tried, but I have lost weight… we’ll see. Anyway, I’m very much enjoying your recent posts, Cara.
Now I don’t feel so bad about myself. Nick and I will eat ice cream while Shira shows us up with her 1-armed pull ups 🙂
That sounds preferable to exercise :D.
awessooommeeeeenesss.. topping each post with the new post! yeah! how cute are those containers! u put so much thought into things.. like getting these containers:))
love all of these simple and fun creations!
See, this is what I mean about learning to go with the flow. The truth is that I didn’t plan this one out at all and look at that! You think it’s thoughtful and awesome 🙂 Sweet! Maybe I should tone it back because I do better that way…
Seeing this just made me extremely happy, that looks just amazing!! The taste of my youth, mint chocolate chip at the ice cream store in the summer (my 1st job!). Thank you Cara!
Ooooh, I bet you had ONE strong arm from all that scooping huh? hehe. Glad I could bring you back to some good memories, Shira! 🙂 xo
Ha! Ya totally!!! Don’t worry, I totally made up for it with one armed pull ups in the back with the other arm during the slow times! All that sugar gave me Herculean strength LOL! 🙂
Wow, I am super impressed! I cannot even do a 2-armed pull up–you ARE superhuman. Note to self: eat more ice cream 🙂
A most perfect rule for life. Especially this one! Excellent! 🙂
Rest assured that whatever a Shamrock Shake is comprised of it is NOT ice cream, okay, maybe a bit of cream, air and 27 different additives. Blech! So, no worries on ‘compromising’ the shake. Mint chocolate chip has always, always tied with Bing Cherry French Vanilla in my affections.. Another reason I love my Vitamix. Now, about those containers – of course, Cost Plus. Every special occasion for years, Al and I would make the hour or so drive into Dallas, dine at a fantastic restaurant and cap our date with a visit to World Market. My curtains, my dishes, my silverware were all purchases there. I love that place. Sometimes I shop there online but it’s not nearly as much fun – not nearly as many nooks and crannies. 🙂
I love that place too! It has become a tradition now that any time I drop G off at the airport, I stop in for a night cap {or night shopping excursion} to shop til I no longer feel sad 🙂 I must say it does it’s job for that one night! Now I cannot wait to inspect your home for all things Cost Plus…
erm, Waxahachie is 30 minutes from downtown Dallas. Just sayin’
and about 1 1/2 hrs from Plano!
You are a Texas geography machine Laurel. I have no idea why you are saying this though… hehe
Curses! Foiled Again! dagnabit
You can’t pull one on me!!! *fist in the air*
This looks amazing and THANK YOU for an ice cream recipe that doesn’t need an ice cream maker. I refuse to buy one, since I won’t use it regularly, but I love mint chip ice cream. Great way to take something storebought and make it your own. 🙂
I don’t know why it has taken me so long to figure out just to do it this way. I’m with you–ice cream makers seem like to much work for something I won’t do often. Now that I know this trick {come on Cara, you didn’t just split the atom or something} all possibilities are at bay 🙂 xo!
Yeah, those hot camera lights really do melt ice cream down fast, don’t they? Can’t have melty bits in an ice cream shot. No way. Gotta eat that part. I’m with ya. Hah! This looks so yummy!
Yes, er, camera lights, ah….yup. {whispering: And by camera lights we are referring to my mouth, right??!} 🙂
Well, I didn’t want to insinuate that you were standing over it panting and drooling…
Hey, there is no shame in this game 🙂
So adorable!! I definitely second..no..third the request for where you found the cute containers!
Ha. I got them at Cost Plus World Market. Aren’t they fun? I got them this past summer but I assume that this coming season they will have something similar for sale 🙂
so… you found containers for this fantastic ice cream, that means you could also procure dry ice and shipping supplies… and my address… 😉
“compromised the integrity of the shake” this made me laugh out loud… you know, since the shake comes from McNogenal’s and all…
And I have never even tried it before so for all I know it could have chocolate chips in it. I’m weird {perfectionistic} like that. But doing it in ice cream form has allowed me to enjoyed it over the course of several days. Aren’t those containers CUTE?? Thanks, Cost Plus. Scrambling to find dry ice…
i am loving that color of green. and where did you find those little wooden ice cream spoon things? they take me right back to grade school!
ps- im sure this tastes MUCH better than a shamrock shake. truth be told, i only had one ONCE, and was not impressed.
The containers and spoons came together from Cost Plus World Market. I got them back this past summer so I am glad they are *finally* being put to use 🙂 Aren’t they fun? Eeeeeee. And you know, I never ever had the shake ever so I am glad to hear that I trusted my gut and when with a new direction. Sounds like I am not really missing out anyway. xo!
Ahh, still trying to capture the leprechaun I see.
Baking as a substitute for children. Ha. ha. I see the parallels…messy, check, costs uber money. check. warming of your little heart, check.
So. I haven’t asked you this question…Are you naturally an awesome photographer or did you sit at the feet of a photo Bob Ross to learn your sweet skills?
I am loving all the adjectives you are using for baking as similarities to children! I couldn’t have put it any better 🙂
About the photography–the fact that I don’t know who Bob Ross is so should give you a good clue as to my answer. Good grief, if you only knew when I take pictures with. I had no clue about photography when I started out and all I had was a 4 year old point-and-shoot camera. I have just taught myself how to work with what I have and have studied magazine pictures, blogs, etc to understand the angles and what works best. I wouldn’t call myself awesome but I have come a long way. In fact, I should show you the difference between the very first picture I took vs. what I do now. It’s hilarious 🙂 Thank you though Kelly! xo
Bob Ross, girl, the age difference is showing. He was a famous painter. Google him sometime. His hair and soothing voice will be worth your time. Ha. Ha. If you are self-taught, I’m uber impressed. You got good eye, Girl, and good taste!!!!! (in all senses of the wordl) Have a great day, Cutie.
xo 2
Is he the guy that used to have the tv show??? Ahhh yes, I know him indeed. For some reason I thought you were referring to a famous photographer 🙂
Thanks for the love, Kelly! <3
3 things….
#1: HOW do you find the time to come up with all of these amazing things?
#2: WHERE did you get those adorable ice cream containers?
#3″ I WANT to have your babies… food babies that is!
1). I sit in class and this what I write about instead of notes for the subject. It is always all I think about all day {something I know you know well of}
2). I got them at Cost Plus World Markey, aren’t they AWESOME???
3). Girl, you can have as many of my {food} babies as you want! We will populate the earth together…in food 🙂 xo!
The reason I have yet to post my puddings are because while I was shovelling them into my pie-hole I was thinking, “Next time I’ll eat slow enough to take a picture. There are only scrapings on the bottom of this bowl” but…more than pictures of food, I love testing it to make sure it’s exactly what I wanted. I love mint chocochip icecream. Must try this soylessly.
Soylessly. hehehe. I like the sound of it 🙂
I am beginning to think that the reason we have blogs is just for another excuse to eat good food… xo!
I vote for soylessly as well. And thanks for coining my new favorite term. 😀
Don’t you just love it? Soylessly. It rolls off the tongue 🙂
soyl-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-essly. soylessl-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-ly. soyl-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-lessl-l-l-l-l-l-ly. (sounds like rolling off one’s tongue)
You show off 🙂
this looks so good