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Authentic Stracciatella Gelato Recipe
Stracciatella Gelato is one of the most beloved and classic Italian gelato flavors. Originating in Bergamo, Italy, this creamy, chocolate-studded gelato is a staple in every authentic Italian gelateria. Alongside Gelato alla Crema and Chocolate Gelato, it remains one of the most popular choices for gelato lovers worldwide.What makes Stracciatella Gelato special? Its simple yet high-quality ingredients: whole milk, heavy cream, sugar, and dark chocolate. Unlike many gelato recipes, this one is completely egg-free, making it lighter while still being incredibly smooth and creamy.
Ingredients
- 150 g granulated sugar - ¾ cup
- 350 ml milk - 1 ½ cups (fresh and whole)
- 250 ml fresh heavy cream - 1 cup
- 100 g dark chocolate - 3.5 oz
Instructions
How to Make Stracciatella Gelato WITH Ice Cream Maker
- In a thick-bottomed saucepan, combine the sugar, whole milk, and heavy cream. Stir well and heat over low heat, making sure the mixture never reaches a boil. Cook for about 5 minutes, until the sugar has completely dissolved.If you notice the mixture starting to boil, immediately remove it from the heat or lower the flame.
- Once ready, turn off the heat and transfer the mixture to a stainless steel bowl with a lid. Let it cool in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
- After the mixture has cooled, pour it into your ice cream maker. Start the machine and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Typically, the churning process takes 30 to 40 minutes.
- When the gelato is almost ready (after about 30 minutes of churning), it’s time to add the chocolate. First, melt the dark chocolate in a double boiler (bain-marie) until smooth.
- Slowly pour the melted chocolate directly into the ice cream maker while the gelato is still churning. As the warm chocolate touches the cold gelato, it solidifies instantly. The spinning motion of the machine breaks the chocolate into small, irregular flakes, distributing them evenly throughout the gelato.
How to Make Stracciatella Gelato WITHOUT Ice Cream Maker
- In a saucepan, combine the sugar and whole milk. Stir and cook over low heat for about 5 minutes, ensuring the mixture does not boil.
- Once the sugar has completely dissolved, remove from heat and transfer the mixture to a stainless steel bowl with a lid. Let it cool in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
- While the mixture is cooling, whip the heavy cream using a stand mixer or an electric whisk. Whip until soft peaks form, creating a light and airy texture.
- Once the milk mixture has cooled, gently fold it into the whipped cream. Use a spatula and mix in an upward motion to maintain the airy consistency.
- Pour the gelato mixture into a gelato container or a freezer-safe dish. Place it in the freezer for about 5 hours.
- To prevent ice crystals from forming and to keep the texture smooth and creamy, you’ll need to stir the gelato every 30 minutes. Remove it from the freezer and mix for about 30 seconds using a hand whisk or an electric whisk on low speed.
- About halfway through the freezing process (after approximately 2.5 hours), when the gelato has thickened but is still soft, it’s time to add the chocolate.Chop the dark chocolate into small pieces, then melt it in a double boiler until smooth.
- Finally, slowly drizzle the warm melted chocolate over the semi-frozen gelato.The chocolate will solidify upon contact with the cold gelato. Stir gently to break the hardened chocolate into thin flakes and small shards.
- Once the chocolate is fully incorporated, return the gelato to the freezer and let it set for the remaining time.Your homemade Stracciatella Gelato is now ready! Serve and enjoy this authentic Italian treat straight from your kitchen!
Notes
- The best ice cream maker you can find on the market is the one with a compressor that cools while churning the gelato. This ice cream maker is very similar to the professional ones and is the one we used for this recipe. An high-performance ice cream maker is the Whynter ICM-200LS Automatic Ice Cream Maker (built-in compressor, no pre-freezing). Incredibly easy to use, you can create delicious gelato in the comfort of your own home. Ideal for entertaining, this high capacity unit makes up to two quarts of your favorite frozen dessert in a single batch.
Nutrition
Serving: 100gCalories: 270kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 3gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 41mgSodium: 28mgPotassium: 134mgFiber: 1gSugar: 28gVitamin A: 535IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 79mgIron: 0.4mg
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