Mascarpone Gelato

Sep 27, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Dessert Ice cream frozen desserts Vanilla: Beans Medium

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

A velvety smooth mascarpone gelato with a luscious creamy texture and a hint of vanilla that enhances its rich, tangy flavor. This classic Italian dessert is perfect for a refreshing treat.

Prep 15 min

Cook 20 min

Cooling 2 hr

Total 2 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 (133.0 g)granulated sugar
2.0 tbsp (14.0 g)skim milk powder
⅛ tsp (0.75 g)fine salt
8.0 oz (227.0 g)mascarpone cheese
1.0vanilla bean, split and scraped
3.0 largeegg yolks

Make it at home

As an Amazon Associate, VanillaGoods earns from qualifying purchases. We only suggest tools that fit this recipe.

Instructions

In a medium saucepan, combine the whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, skim milk powder, fine salt, and the seeds scraped from the vanilla bean along with the pod. Heat over medium heat until the mixture steams and small bubbles form around the edges but do not boil, about 5–7 minutes.
Remove the vanilla bean pod and discard. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks until smooth.
Temper the egg yolks by slowly pouring about half a cup of the hot milk mixture into the yolks while whisking constantly.
Gradually pour the tempered yolks back into the saucepan with the remaining milk mixture, whisking constantly.
Cook the custard base over medium-low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula, until it thickens enough to coat the back of the spoon and reaches 170–175°F (77–79°C). Do not boil.
Remove from heat and whisk in the mascarpone cheese until smooth and fully incorporated.
Transfer the mixture to a clean bowl, cover with plastic wrap directly on the surface, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours until cold.
Freeze the chilled custard in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions, about 35–40 minutes, until it reaches soft-serve consistency.
Transfer the gelato to an airtight container and freeze for an additional 1–2 hours to firm up before serving.

Tips

For a stronger vanilla flavor, let the vanilla bean seeds soak in the warm milk mixture for up to 15 minutes before removing the pod.
Substitute mascarpone with cream cheese for a slightly tangier gelato, adjusting sugar to balance the flavor.

Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make mascarpone gelato?

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

How should I store mascarpone gelato?

Store mascarpone gelato in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 1 week. Let soften in the refrigerator for 15 minutes before scooping.

Can I make mascarpone gelato ahead?

Prepare and chill the custard base up to 24 hours in advance to deepen flavors.

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 velvety smooth mascarpone gelato with a luscious creamy texture and a hint of vanilla that enhances its rich, tangy flavor. This classic Italian dessert is perfect for a refreshing treat.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 8 servings this recipe makes.

347 Calories / serving

27.0g Fat

22.1g Carbs

5.2g Protein

21.9g Sugar

Whole recipe (8 servings): ~2776 cal · 216g fat · 177g carbs · 42g protein · 175g sugar

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

Per serving · 347 calories

What it takes to burn one serving

Brisk walking 66 min·3.9 mi·~7700 steps
Walking uphill or incline treadmill 47 min·2.4 mi·~4700 steps
Moderate cycling 35 min·7.0 mi
Swimming laps 49 min
Jogging 34 min·2.8 mi·~5450 steps
Stair climbing 32 min·~2900 steps
Dancing 56 min
Bodyweight circuit training 35 min
Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 81 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.