Dark Chocolate Gelato

Jun 15, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Dessert Ice cream frozen desserts Vanilla: Paste Medium

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

A rich and creamy dark chocolate gelato featuring real dark chocolate and enhanced with pure vanilla bean paste for smooth depth. Churned in an ice cream maker for authentic Italian texture.

Prep 15 min

Cook 20 min

Cooling 5 hr

Total 5 hr 35 min

Servings 8

Diet —

Ingredients

Adjust yield

servings

1 ½ cups (360.0 ml)whole milk
½ cup (120.0 ml)heavy cream
⅔ cup (135.0 g)granulated sugar
2.0 tbsp (15.0 g)skim milk powder
⅛ tspfine sea salt
4.0 oz (113.0 g)bittersweet dark chocolate (70% cacao), chopped
2.0 tbsp (10.0 g)unsweetened cocoa powder
1.0 tsp (5.0 ml)vanilla bean paste

Make it at home

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Instructions

Combine whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, skim milk powder, fine sea salt, and unsweetened cocoa powder in a medium saucepan.
Heat the mixture over medium heat, whisking occasionally, until it reaches 170°F (77°C), just below simmering.
Remove from heat and stir in the chopped dark chocolate and vanilla bean paste until smooth and fully melted.
Transfer the mixture to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or until completely cold.
Pour the chilled base into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions until it reaches a soft-serve consistency, about 20-25 minutes.
Transfer gelato to an airtight container and freeze for at least 4 hours to firm up before serving.

Tips

Use good-quality dark chocolate with at least 70% cacao for the richest flavor.
Vanilla bean paste enhances the chocolate's depth without overpowering it; you can substitute with 1 tsp pure vanilla extract if needed.

Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make dark chocolate gelato?

Plan on 15 minutes of prep and 20 minutes of cooking, plus 5 hours to chill and freeze. The recipe makes about 1 quart (8 servings).

How should I store dark chocolate gelato?

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

Can I make dark chocolate gelato ahead?

Prepare the gelato base one day ahead and chill overnight before churning for improved texture.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

Yes. This recipe uses 1 tsp vanilla bean paste (5 ml). 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 rich and creamy dark chocolate gelato featuring real dark chocolate and enhanced with pure vanilla bean paste for smooth depth. Churned in an ice cream maker for authentic Italian texture.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 8 servings this recipe makes.

155 Calories / serving

7.1g Fat

22.2g Carbs

2.2g Protein

21.6g Sugar

Whole recipe (8 servings): ~1240 cal · 57g fat · 178g carbs · 18g protein · 173g sugar

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

Per serving · 155 calories

What it takes to burn one serving

Brisk walking 29 min·1.7 mi·~3400 steps
Walking uphill or incline treadmill 21 min·1.1 mi·~2100 steps
Moderate cycling 16 min·3.2 mi
Swimming laps 22 min
Jogging 15 min·1.3 mi·~2400 steps
Stair climbing 14 min·~1250 steps
Dancing 25 min
Bodyweight circuit training 16 min
Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 36 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.

Made with VanillaGoods

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