White Chocolate Gelato

Sep 3, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Dessert Ice cream frozen desserts Vanilla: Beans Medium

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

Creamy white chocolate gelato enriched with a luscious vanilla bean infusion for a smooth, decadent treat. The rich white chocolate base delivers a silky texture and delicate sweetness for an indulgent frozen dessert.

Prep 25 min

Cook 15 min

Cooling 5 hr

Total 5 hr 40 min

Servings 8

Diet —

Ingredients

Adjust yield

servings

2.0 cups (480.0 ml)whole milk
1.0 cup (240.0 ml)heavy cream
½ cup (100.0 g)granulated sugar
3.0 oz (85.0 g)white chocolate, chopped
3.0 oz (85.0 g)white chocolate, grated for folding in
2.0 tbsp (16.0 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 whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, skim milk powder, and fine sea salt. Split the vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape the seeds into the mixture, then add the pod.
Warm the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it reaches 170°F (77°C), and the sugar and milk powder are fully dissolved.
Remove the saucepan from heat, discard the vanilla bean pod, and add the chopped white chocolate. Stir continuously until completely melted and the mixture is smooth.
Let the custard cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours to chill thoroughly and allow flavors to meld.
Churn the chilled custard in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions, about 45-60 minutes, until it reaches a soft serve consistency.
Grate the reserved white chocolate finely. Gently fold the grated white chocolate into the gelato just before transferring it to a container for freezing.
Freeze gelato for at least 1 hour to firm up before serving.
Let gelato sit at room temperature for 5 minutes before scooping to enhance scoopability.

Tips

Fold in grated white chocolate at the end to add delicate texture and pure white chocolate flavor accents without melting.
Infuse the milk mixture with vanilla bean seeds and pod to maximize aromatic depth, then remove the pod to avoid bitterness.

Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make white chocolate gelato?

Plan on 25 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of cooking, plus 5 hours to chill and freeze. The recipe makes about 1 quart (8 servings).

How should I store white chocolate gelato?

Store gelato in an airtight container in the freezer up to 1 week. Before serving, thaw slightly at room temperature for a few minutes for ideal texture.

Can I make white chocolate gelato ahead?

Prepare the gelato base one day ahead, refrigerate chilled overnight, and churn before serving for best flavor development.

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.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 8 servings this recipe makes.

196 Calories / serving

12.7g Fat

18.7g Carbs

2.8g Protein

18.8g Sugar

Whole recipe (8 servings): ~1568 cal · 102g fat · 150g carbs · 22g protein · 150g sugar

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

Per serving · 196 calories

What it takes to burn one serving

Brisk walking 37 min·2.2 mi·~4350 steps
Walking uphill or incline treadmill 27 min·1.4 mi·~2700 steps
Moderate cycling 20 min·4.0 mi
Swimming laps 27 min
Jogging 19 min·1.6 mi·~3050 steps
Stair climbing 18 min·~1600 steps
Dancing 32 min
Bodyweight circuit training 20 min
Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 46 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.