Chocolate Gelato

Aug 2, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Dessert Ice cream frozen desserts Vanilla: Beans Medium

A generous swirl of chocolate gelato in a small glass cup with a flat gelato spade

A creamy, rich chocolate gelato made with whole milk, heavy cream, and high-quality bittersweet chocolate, perfectly balanced with pure vanilla bean for depth and smoothness.

Prep 20 min

Cook 15 min

Cooling 2 hr 30 min

Total 3 hr 5 min

Servings 8

Diet —

Ingredients

Adjust yield

servings

2.0 cups (480.0 ml)whole milk
1.0 cup (240.0 ml)heavy cream
⅔ cup (135.0 g)granulated sugar
2.0 tbsp (10.0 g)unsweetened cocoa powder
4.0 oz (115.0 g)bittersweet chocolate (60-70% cacao), chopped
1.0vanilla bean, split and scraped
⅛ tsp (0.7 g)fine sea salt
3.0 largeegg yolks

Make it at home

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Instructions

In a medium heavy saucepan, combine whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, and the scraped seeds and pod of the vanilla bean. Warm over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is hot but not boiling, about 5-7 minutes.
Remove from heat and whisk in the chopped bittersweet chocolate until fully melted and smooth. Let the mixture cool slightly.
In a medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the fine sea salt until smooth and slightly thickened.
Gradually ladle about 1 cup (240 ml) of the warm chocolate mixture into the egg yolks while whisking constantly to temper the yolks.
Pour the tempered yolk mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining chocolate base.
Cook over low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or spatula, until the custard thickens enough to coat the back of the spoon and reaches 170-175°F (77-79°C). Do not boil.
Strain the custard through a fine mesh sieve into a clean bowl to remove the vanilla pod and any cooked egg bits.
Cover the custard with plastic wrap pressed directly on the surface to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, at least 2 hours or overnight.
Once chilled, churn the custard in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions until it has a soft, creamy gelato consistency, about 20-30 minutes.
Transfer the gelato to an airtight container and freeze for about 30 minutes to firm up before serving.

Tips

Use high-quality bittersweet chocolate with 60-70% cacao for a rich but balanced flavor.
Scraping and cooking with a whole vanilla bean imparts a deep vanilla aroma that enhances the chocolate.
Tempering the egg yolks prevents curdling and ensures a smooth custard texture.

Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make chocolate gelato?

Plan on 20 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of cooking, plus 2 hours 30 minutes to chill and freeze. The recipe makes about 1 quart (8 servings).

How should I store chocolate gelato?

Store gelato in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 1 week. Let it soften slightly at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before scooping.

Can I make chocolate gelato ahead?

Gelato base can be made and refrigerated up to 2 days in advance before churning.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

Yes. This recipe uses 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped. Each teaspoon of pure vanilla extract can be swapped for 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste, the seeds of half a vanilla bean, or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla powder. Paste and seeds add the classic dark specks.

A creamy, rich chocolate gelato made with whole milk, heavy cream, and high-quality bittersweet chocolate, perfectly balanced with pure vanilla bean for depth and smoothness.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 8 servings this recipe makes.

234 Calories / serving

14.7g Fat

23.2g Carbs

4.0g Protein

22.4g Sugar

Whole recipe (8 servings): ~1872 cal · 118g fat · 186g carbs · 32g protein · 179g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.

Per serving · 234 calories

What it takes to burn one serving

Brisk walking 44 min·2.6 mi·~5150 steps
Walking uphill or incline treadmill 32 min·1.6 mi·~3200 steps
Moderate cycling 24 min·4.8 mi
Swimming laps 33 min
Jogging 23 min·1.9 mi·~3700 steps
Stair climbing 22 min·~2000 steps
Dancing 38 min
Bodyweight circuit training 24 min
Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 54 min

Rough estimates for one serving, based on standard MET values at about 155 lb. Your own burn depends on body size, effort, and fitness. Shown for context only — food is not something you have to earn.