Hazelnut Gelato

Sep 22, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Dessert Ice cream frozen desserts Vanilla: Beans Medium

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

This hazelnut gelato showcases rich, nutty flavor enhanced by pure vanilla bean for a creamy, luscious texture. A slow-churned Italian-style frozen dessert perfect for hazelnut lovers.

Prep 15 min

Cook 20 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 (15.0 g)skim milk powder
⅛ tsp (0.75 g)fine sea salt
½ cup (120.0 g)hazelnut paste
1.0vanilla bean, split and scraped

Make it at home

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Instructions

Combine whole milk, heavy cream, and skim milk powder in a medium heavy saucepan. Split the vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape the seeds into the milk mixture; add the pod as well.
Heat the milk mixture over medium heat until it is steaming and just about to simmer, stirring occasionally to dissolve the milk powder. Remove from heat, cover, and let steep for 30 minutes to infuse the vanilla flavor.
Remove the vanilla bean pod and discard.
In a separate bowl, whisk together granulated sugar and fine sea salt.
Place the hazelnut paste in a mixing bowl. Slowly pour about half of the warm milk mixture over the hazelnut paste, whisking vigorously to incorporate until smooth.
Pour the hazelnut mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining milk mixture and heat over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar is fully dissolved and the mixture registers 170°F to 175°F (77°C to 79°C) on a candy thermometer. Do not boil.
Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
Refrigerate the mixture until thoroughly chilled, about 1 hour or overnight for best results.
Once chilled, churn in an ice cream maker according to manufacturer’s instructions, about 30 to 45 minutes, until it has the smooth, dense texture characteristic of gelato.
Transfer the gelato to a freezer-safe container, cover, and freeze for at least 2 hours to firm up before serving.

Tips

Use high-quality, fresh hazelnut paste with no added sugars for a pure nutty flavor.
Scraping and steeping a whole vanilla bean rather than using extract provides a more authentic, aromatic vanilla note in the gelato.

Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make hazelnut gelato?

Plan on 15 minutes of prep and 20 minutes of cooking, plus 3 hours to chill and freeze. The recipe makes about 1 quart (8 servings).

How should I store hazelnut 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 hazelnut gelato ahead?

Prepare the base and infuse the vanilla bean a day ahead, then chill refrigerate overnight 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.

This hazelnut gelato showcases rich, nutty flavor enhanced by pure vanilla bean for a creamy, luscious texture. A slow-churned Italian-style frozen dessert perfect for hazelnut lovers.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 8 servings this recipe makes.

295 Calories / serving

20.2g Fat

24.5g Carbs

5.2g Protein

22.5g Sugar

Whole recipe (8 servings): ~2360 cal · 162g fat · 196g carbs · 42g protein · 180g sugar

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

Per serving · 295 calories

What it takes to burn one serving

Brisk walking 56 min·3.3 mi·~6550 steps
Walking uphill or incline treadmill 40 min·2.0 mi·~4000 steps
Moderate cycling 30 min·6.0 mi
Swimming laps 41 min
Jogging 29 min·2.4 mi·~4650 steps
Stair climbing 27 min·~2450 steps
Dancing 48 min
Bodyweight circuit training 30 min
Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 69 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.