Gelato Artigianale
Authentic Italian gelato, characterized by its denser, less airy texture and intensely concentrated flavors compared to traditional ice cream. It's a rich, creamy frozen dessert.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 ml Whole milk(Use good quality whole milk for the best texture and flavor.)
- 200 ml Heavy cream(Heavy cream (at least 35% fat) is essential for richness.)
- 150 g Granulated sugar(Can be adjusted slightly to taste, but this is a good starting point.)
- 4 Egg yolks(Large egg yolks are preferred.)
- as needed Flavoring agent(Examples: 1 tsp vanilla extract, 50g melted dark chocolate, 50g pistachio paste. Add after cooking the base.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a medium saucepan, combine the whole milk, heavy cream, and half of the granulated sugar (75g). Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is steaming and small bubbles form around the edges. Do not boil. Remove from heat.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 2
In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the remaining granulated sugar (75g) until the mixture is pale yellow and slightly thickened. Gradually ladle about half a cup of the hot milk mixture into the egg yolk mixture while whisking constantly. This is tempering and prevents the yolks from scrambling.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 3
Pour the tempered egg yolk mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining hot milk mixture. Cook over low to medium-low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or heatproof spatula, until the custard thickens enough to coat the back of the spoon. The target temperature is 85°C (185°F). Do not let it boil, or the eggs will curdle. Immediately remove from heat.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 4
Strain the custard through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl to remove any potential cooked egg bits. If using a liquid flavoring like vanilla extract, stir it in now. If using a solid flavoring like melted chocolate or pistachio paste, stir it in until fully incorporated.
⏱️ 2 minutes - 5
Cover the surface of the custard directly with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming. Chill the base thoroughly in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, until it is very cold.
⏱️ 4 hours (minimum) - 6
Once the base is completely chilled, churn it in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions until it reaches a soft-serve consistency. This usually takes 20-30 minutes.
⏱️ 30 minutes - 7
Transfer the churned gelato to an airtight container. Freeze for at least 2 hours to firm up before serving.
⏱️ 2 hours (minimum)
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For the best texture, ensure the gelato base is thoroughly chilled before churning.
- ✓Gelato is best served slightly softer than American ice cream. Let it sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before scooping.
- ✓The lower air content in gelato means its flavor is more pronounced. Use high-quality flavorings.
- ✓Properly chilling the base is crucial for achieving the correct texture during churning.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Chocolate Gelato: Stir in 50-75g of melted dark chocolate into the hot custard base.
- Pistachio Gelato: Stir in 50-75g of high-quality pistachio paste into the chilled base before churning.
- Fruit Gelato: Prepare a fruit puree and swirl it into the gelato during the last few minutes of churning, or layer it in the container before freezing.
- Sorbetto: Omit the milk, cream, and egg yolks. Use a fruit puree, sugar, water, and lemon juice for a dairy-free frozen dessert.