Strawberry Gelato

Aug 20, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Dessert Ice cream frozen desserts Vanilla: Beans Medium

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

A creamy and intensely flavored strawberry gelato made with fresh strawberry purée, whole milk, and a touch of pure vanilla bean for a rich, smooth texture and bright summer fruit note.

Prep 15 min

Cook 20 min

Cooling 2 hr 25 min

Total 3 hr

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 (12.0 g)skim milk powder
⅛ tsp (0.75 g)pinch of fine sea salt
1 ¼ cups (300.0 ml)fresh strawberry purée (about 8 oz / 225 g strawberries, hulled and blended)
1.0vanilla bean, split and scraped

Make it at home

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Instructions

Combine the whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, skim milk powder, and fine sea salt in a medium saucepan.
Scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean into the milk mixture, then add the pod as well.
Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture reaches 170°F (77°C). Remove from heat and let steep for 15 minutes to infuse the vanilla flavor.
Remove the vanilla bean pod from the mixture.
Stir the fresh strawberry purée into the warm milk base until fully incorporated.
Cool the mixture to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until thoroughly chilled.
Churn the chilled mixture in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions, usually about 20-25 minutes, until it has a smooth, creamy texture.
Transfer the gelato to an airtight container and freeze until firm, about 1 hour before serving.
Serve the strawberry gelato in chilled bowls or cones and enjoy.

Tips

Use ripe, fresh strawberries for the best flavor; frozen berries can be used but may alter texture slightly.
Removing the vanilla bean pod after steeping prevents any gritty texture while imparting a strong vanilla aroma.

Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make strawberry gelato?

Plan on 15 minutes of prep and 20 minutes of cooking, plus 2 hours 25 minutes to chill and freeze. The recipe makes about 1 quart (8 servings).

How should I store strawberry gelato?

Store strawberry gelato in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 weeks for best flavor and texture. Let soften slightly at room temperature for 5 minutes before scooping.

Can I make strawberry gelato ahead?

Make the gelato base and chill up to 24 hours in advance before churning and freezing.

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 creamy and intensely flavored strawberry gelato made with fresh strawberry purée, whole milk, and a touch of pure vanilla bean for a rich, smooth texture and bright summer fruit note.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 8 servings this recipe makes.

216 Calories / serving

12.8g Fat

23.5g Carbs

3.0g Protein

22.6g Sugar

Whole recipe (8 servings): ~1728 cal · 102g fat · 188g carbs · 24g protein · 181g sugar

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

Per serving · 216 calories

What it takes to burn one serving

Brisk walking 41 min·2.4 mi·~4800 steps
Walking uphill or incline treadmill 29 min·1.5 mi·~2900 steps
Moderate cycling 22 min·4.4 mi
Swimming laps 30 min
Jogging 21 min·1.8 mi·~3350 steps
Stair climbing 20 min·~1800 steps
Dancing 35 min
Bodyweight circuit training 22 min
Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 50 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.