Gelato
This Italian frozen dessert looks almost identical to ice cream, but has a few key differences: Compared to its cousin, gelato is made with more milk than cream, and uses fewer or no eggs, instead leaning on other stabilizers to keep it from becoming icy as it freezes. Here, cornstarch is the stabilizer for this easy at-home version, providing a smooth, creamy texture. Because gelato has a lower butterfat percentage than ice cream, it’s best served slightly warmer; for best results, let it soften on the counter for a couple minutes before serving. This recipe makes a basic vanilla gelato, but you can easily make different flavors by adding mix-ins such as chopped chocolate, dulce de leche, or chocolate ganache once the gelato is churned.
- Preparation:
- Cooking:
- Total:
- Serves: 1 person
Ingredients
- 2cups whole milk
- 2tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 ½cups heavy cream
- ¾cup granulated sugar
- ¾teaspoon kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal)
- 1tablespoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Step 1
In a liquid measuring cup, combine 1/4 cup of the milk and the cornstarch and whisk until smooth.Step 2
In a large saucepan, combine the remaining 1¾ cups milk, the heavy cream, sugar and salt. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar.Step 3
Slowly whisk in the cornstarch mixture and return to a vigorous simmer. Cook, stirring often, until the mixture is just thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, 3 to 4 minutes.Step 4
Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a medium bowl, then stir in the vanilla extract. Cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate until very cold, at least 2 hours.Step 5
Freeze the mixture in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's directions until the consistency of gelato, similar to soft-serve ice cream.Step 6
Spoon it into a loaf pan and smooth the surface with a spatula. Cover the surface with a piece of parchment paper, then wrap the pan with plastic wrap. Freeze until firm, at least 2 hours and up to 3 days.Step 7
Let the gelato soften for 5 to 10 minutes on the counter before scooping.