Lemon Gelato

Aug 6, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Dessert Ice cream frozen desserts Vanilla: Beans Medium

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

A bright, creamy lemon gelato infused with fresh vanilla bean for a smooth, aromatic finish. Balanced tartness with rich dairy creates a refreshing Italian-style dessert.

Prep 20 min

Cook 15 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 (14.0 g)skim milk powder
⅛ tsp (0.75 g)fine salt
⅓ cup (80.0 ml)fresh lemon juice
1.0vanilla bean, split and scraped
1.0 tbsp (6.0 g)fresh lemon zest

Make it at home

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Instructions

In a medium saucepan, combine whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, skim milk powder, fine salt, and the seeds and pod of the vanilla bean. Heat over medium heat, stirring frequently, until sugar is dissolved and mixture reaches 170°F (77°C). Do not boil.
Remove the saucepan from heat and let the mixture steep with the vanilla bean pod and lemon zest for 30 minutes to infuse flavor.
Remove the vanilla bean pod and lemon zest. Stir in the fresh lemon juice.
Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour until thoroughly cold.
Pour the chilled mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer's instructions, about 20-30 minutes, until it reaches a soft-serve consistency.
Transfer gelato to a freezer-safe container, cover, and freeze for at least 2 hours to firm up before serving.

Tips

Use a vanilla bean for authentic, rich flavor and remove it before churning to avoid stringy texture.
Add fresh lemon zest after the milk mixture is heated but before steeping to release maximum citrus oils without bitterness.

Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make lemon gelato?

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

How should I store lemon gelato?

Store gelato in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 1 week. Let sit at room temperature for 5 minutes before scooping for easier serving.

Can I make lemon gelato ahead?

Prepare the base and steep vanilla and lemon zest ahead; chill and freeze as directed before serving.

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 bright, creamy lemon gelato infused with fresh vanilla bean for a smooth, aromatic finish. Balanced tartness with rich dairy creates a refreshing Italian-style dessert.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 8 servings this recipe makes.

208 Calories / serving

12.8g Fat

21.8g Carbs

2.9g Protein

21.2g Sugar

Whole recipe (8 servings): ~1664 cal · 102g fat · 174g carbs · 23g protein · 170g sugar

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

Per serving · 208 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 34 min
Bodyweight circuit training 21 min
Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 48 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.