There really isn't anything better than this decadent ice cream dessert.
Ice cream has more cream where gelato is more milk.
In Italy, you will be amazed not only at the vibrant colors and flavors but some shops like in Rome churn it right in front of you.
The frozen smooth custard-like texture just melts on your tongue and makes a lasting impression to find this is a gourmet treat like no other.
Chocolate seems to be the flavor of choice in our home always.
With just a few changes of ingredients, you can change this to a Pistachio Gelato (which is in the recipe card below) that changes this basic recipe into another favorite.
We love making ice creams of all kinds and my family just loves Banana Split Ice Cream, Nutter Butter Vanilla Ice Cream which are two American favorites in our home.
Scroll down to the printable recipe card to get the recipes for these gelato recipes we love tasting wy gelato is a worldwide sensation!
What is Gelato?
While both gelato and ice cream contain cream, milk, and sugar, authentic gelato uses more milk and less cream than ice cream.
Gelato is the Italian word for ice cream.
This delectable frozen treat got its start in the 16th century when a Florentine named Bernardo Buontalenti served his creation at a banquet held by the powerful Medici family.
It starts out with a similar custard base as ice cream almost like a pudding-like consistency but has a higher proportion of milk and a lower proportion of cream and eggs (or no eggs at all as in this recipe).
It is churned at a much slower rate, incorporating less air and leaving the gelato denser than ice cream.
Ingredients You Will Need For Italian Double Chocolate Chip Gelato
Scroll down to the printable recipe card for exact measurements
- sugar
- cornstarch
- salt
- whole milk, divided
- semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
- heavy cream
- vanilla extract
- This option below can be folded in at the end of churning in the ice maker or as a garnish:
- 1/2 cup shaved, slivered or chunk good grade Chocolate (Godiva, Lindt) semisweet or bittersweet dark chocolate
Suggestions and Tips:
- Add Chopped Nuts
- Add Chopped Good Grade Chocolate Chunks
- Add Chopped Candy Bars of choice
- Topping Suggestions:
- Sprinkles
- Hot Fudge
- Whipped Cream
- Crushed Cookie Crumbs
- Chopped Fruits of any kinds or make a banana split
- Ice Cream Toppings IE Caramel, Marshmallow Pineapple
- The adult version, drizzle with a shot of Amaretto
- If ordering out in an ice cream shops, Authentic gelato is vibrant in color and served using a paddle or spatula
- Good gelato is soft and as it melts becomes pudding-like if your gelato is stiff then it's overmixed
- This basic recipe can be transformed into fruit, nuts flavors, liquor flavored or plain vanilla gelato in flavors, always folding in after it has completed it's mixing process
More Recipes We Love
Italian Lemon Ice
Watermelon Sorbet
Cannoli Ice Cream
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Favorite Gelato Flavors
Our favorite flavored gelato is the two in this recipe card below.
The chocolate is the first most asked for flavor, then pistachio.
During the summer, I fold in some fresh Strawberry puree and chopped strawberries for a refreshing fruity gelato.
Again as I mentioned before, this basic starter recipe can be transformed into anything you like so get creative and adapt to your own flavors your family enjoys!
Don't be afraid to try this silky authentic dessert, it's easy to make and again there is nothing more exquisite then serving the best tasting gelato around right from your freezer!
Double Chocolate Chip Gelato
Yield: Makes about 3 cups
Prep time: 15 MCook time: 25 MTotal time: 40 M
This is a rich Italian creamy gelato. The recipe is very easy to make, however, requires an ice cream maker for the best results. This is dark chocolate sweet and creamy delightful confection found in many ice cream shops in Rome Italy and how my grandmother made this who also was born there.
Ingredients:
- This recipe can easily be doubled for ingredients below:
- The recipe below makes 3 cups, I always double it to make 6 cups
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- pinch of salt
- 2 cups whole milk, divided
- 5 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- This option below can be folded in at the end of churning in the ice maker or as a garnish:
- 1/2 cup shaved, slivered or chunk good grade Chocolate (Godiva, Lindt) semisweet or bittersweet dark chocolate
- Note: for Pistachio flavored add 7 ounces of pistachio paste (not marzipan) and 1 teaspoon almond extract added after the custard base is completed and omit the chocolate also add 1/2 cup chopped roasted pistachios after the gelato is churned.
Instructions:
How to cook Double Chocolate Chip Gelato
- In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch, and salt.
- Gradually add 1/4 cup milk, whisking to dissolve cornstarch.
- Whisk in remaining milk.
- Cook over medium heat until the mixture thickens and comes to a boil.
- Note I do not stir as the bottom may start to stick.
- Allow it to come to boil for 1 minute, stirring occasionally not scraping the bottom of the pan.
- Remove from heat.
- Add chocolate and allow to sit for 1 minute.
- Let this sit until chocolate is melted and you can stir this to a smooth evenly blended consistency.
- Transfer mixture to a medium bowl and cool for around 10 minutes.
- Mix in the heavy cream and vanilla.
- Cover and refrigerate the gelato mixture around 3 to 4 hours or to speed up the process or you can freeze around 1 and a half hours then transfer to the ice cream maker.
- After adding to the ice cream maker set the time to around 10 minutes or until it becomes a soft set (mine takes 10 to 12 minutes with the speed up process in the freezer mixture).
- Place back into a freezer container and freeze for at least 3 hours before serving.
- Note: If you don't have an ice cream maker, freeze this mixture in a freezer container and stir it every 1/2 hour at least 5 times until creamy soft set texture.
- Serve in small scoops using a paddle or spatula to slide into ice cream dishes or use an ice scoop if you don't have one.
- For a delicious second dessert with brownies try this dessert Frangelico Brownie Gelato Dessert.
Calories
325
325
Fat (grams)
22
22
Sat. Fat (grams)
12
12
Carbs (grams)
32
32
Net carbs
17
17
Sugar (grams)
36
36
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More Ice Cream Desserts We Love
Peanut Butter Cup Homemade Ice Cream
Banana Split Ice Cream
Pistachio Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream
Eggless Cookie Dough Ice Cream
Strawberry Ice Cream
Rocky Road Ice Cream Video
Disclosure: This recipe was originally shared in 2010. It was edited and re-published in 2020.