Carvel Ice Cream, "America's Freshest Ice Cream" brand is treating guests to a chilly Christmas with their new line of Peppermint Ice Cream Desserts.

Starting Thursday, Nov. 20, guests who visit Carvel shops can enjoy a cool treat of freshly made soft ice cream, including Andes Mints Sundae Dasher, made with fresh peppermint soft ice cream with layers of Andes Mints topped with whipped cream and hot fudge; Andes Mints Premium Peppermint Shake consisting of fresh peppermint soft ice cream with whipped cream and Andes Mints sprinkles; and Hand-Scooped Peppermint Ice Cream filled with chunks of Andes Mints.

"Peppermint is the flavor of the holiday season," said Carvel President Scott Colwell.

"We added Andes® Mints to our fresh ice cream this year to give our guests the most authentic and delicious peppermint experience available," Colwell added.

Carvel Ice Cream is the country's first retail ice cream franchise, and has become one of the most recognized names in the dessert industry. Carvel boasts of authentic premium soft ice cream made fresh daily, and hand dipped ice cream products as well as uniquely designed ice cream cakes, including its Cookie Puss cakes and Fudgie Whale cakes.

The Atlanta-based Carvel Ice Cream Shop is celebrating its 80^th birthday this year and now boasts of more than 400 franchised and company-owned branches all over the country.

Carvel Ice Cream is a subsidiary of FOCUS Brands Inc., the company that operates Carvel Ice Cream, Cinnabon, Schlotzsky's,  Moe's Southwest Grill, McAllister's Deli, Auntie Anne's and Seattle's Best Coffee in international markets and certain military bases.

Meanwhile, Carvel is celebrating Thanksgiving with Special Thanksgiving cakes including a Tom the Turkey Cake amade with ice cream and chocolate crunchies and mousse, Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream cake, Thanksgiving Sheet Cake made with rich cake and chocolate crunchies and white frosting, and Lil' Gobbler's Novelty Treats featuring vanilla ice cream coated in chocolate shell with whipped frosting.