Fior di Latte Gelato

Jun 19, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Dessert Ice cream frozen desserts Vanilla: Beans Medium

A generous swirl of fior di latte gelato in a small glass cup with a flat gelato spade

Classic Italian Fior di Latte gelato with a smooth, creamy texture and a delicate sweet milk flavor enhanced by real vanilla bean.

Prep 10 min

Cook 25 min

Cooling 3 hr

Total 3 hr 35 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 (12.0 g)skim milk powder
⅛ tsp (0.7 g)fine sea salt
1.0vanilla bean, split and scraped

Make it at home

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Instructions

In a medium saucepan, combine the whole milk, heavy cream, and skim milk powder. Split the vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape the seeds into the saucepan, then add the pod as well.
Heat the mixture over medium heat until it reaches 170°F (77°C), stirring frequently to dissolve the milk powder and prevent scorching. Remove from heat and let steep for 15 minutes to infuse the vanilla flavor.
Remove the vanilla bean pod and discard. Stir in the granulated sugar and fine sea salt until completely dissolved.
Transfer the mixture to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or until fully cold.
Pour the chilled base into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions, about 45 minutes to 1 hour, until it becomes a creamy gelato consistency.
Transfer the gelato to an airtight container and freeze for at least 1 hour before serving to firm up.
Serve scoops of Fior di Latte gelato in chilled bowls or cones, enjoying its clean, pure milk and vanilla flavor.

Tips

Use a whole vanilla bean for the best authentic flavor; vanilla bean paste can be substituted if preferred.
Chill the gelato base thoroughly before churning to ensure a smooth, creamy texture.

Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make fior di latte gelato?

Plan on 10 minutes of prep and 25 minutes of cooking, plus 3 hours to chill and freeze. The recipe makes about 1 quart (8 servings).

How should I store fior di latte gelato?

Store the gelato in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 1 week. To serve, let soften at room temperature for 5-10 minutes.

Can I make fior di latte gelato ahead?

The gelato base can be made and chilled up to 24 hours 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.

Classic Italian Fior di Latte gelato with a smooth, creamy texture and a delicate sweet milk flavor enhanced by real vanilla bean.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 8 servings this recipe makes.

204 Calories / serving

12.7g Fat

20.7g Carbs

2.7g Protein

20.9g Sugar

Whole recipe (8 servings): ~1632 cal · 102g fat · 166g carbs · 22g protein · 167g sugar

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

Per serving · 204 calories

What it takes to burn one serving

Brisk walking 39 min·2.3 mi·~4550 steps
Walking uphill or incline treadmill 28 min·1.4 mi·~2800 steps
Moderate cycling 21 min·4.2 mi
Swimming laps 29 min
Jogging 20 min·1.7 mi·~3200 steps
Stair climbing 19 min·~1700 steps
Dancing 33 min
Bodyweight circuit training 21 min
Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 47 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.