What could be better than Strawberry Gelato? Try my easy-to-make and oh so delicious Strawberry Gelato Recipe and decide for yourself.
*It also works well in an ice cream maker
Audio Player
When I was in Italy, I just couldn’t get enough Gelato! I don’t care what time it was, or how cold it was, it was always time for gelato, but when I’ve tried it in the states (with very few exceptions) it just didn’t taste right.
The flavor might have been there, but the texture was wrong, it was just never quite right.
Over the years I have attempted to make my own gelato always blaming the fact that it didn’t come out right on my ice cream maker. The truth is it was the recipe I was using.
And yes I did also buy a gelato maker…..boys and their toys..sigh.
Whyn Is Gelato Different than Ice Cream?
Technically speaking “Real Gelato” is made differently than Ice cream. It’s denser and creamier, and the flavors are more intense than regular ice cream. The reason for this is due to a very important ingredient – air.
American ice cream can contain up to 50% air. This results in a lighter airier texture. And to compensate for this lighter airier texture we tend to like our ice cream richer getting more of the taste sensation from the cream.
When making gelato, air is prevented from blending into the mixture. This creates the denser and more intense flavors that gelato is so popularly known for.
To keep the intensity of the flavors, traditional gelato is made using more milk than cream. Some recipes won’t include cream and some even use part water. So when I worked on my recipe I decided to blend milk with some cream to get the consistency I wanted while not sacrificing the intense gelato flavor.
I also found recipes with eggs, and while I do love a good custard-style ice cream, this was Gelato not ice cream and the addition of eggs only seemed to complicate the recipe and detract from the gelato flavor.
Ingredients
Let’s start by gathering the necessary ingredients to make Strawberry Gelato. In Chef Speak, this is called the “Mise en Place,” which translates to “Everything in its Place”.
Not only does setting your ingredients up ahead of time speed up the cooking process, it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.
Can I Use an Ice Cream Maker to Make the Recipe?
I used the KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker attachment to recreate my original recipe when I updated this post, and I was very happy with the results. So don’t feel you need to go out and buy a gelato maker. Your regular ice cream maker will work just as well.
How to make Strawberry Gelato
- Place the strawberries, lemon juice, and sugar in a food processor and process until liquefied.
- Add the milk and run the food processor until all the mixture is smooth.
- Whip the cream with a wire whisk until it begins to thicken slightly and becomes the consistency of buttermilk.
- Mix the cream and strawberry mixture in a bowl and mix thoroughly.
Pour the mixture into a gelato or ice cream maker and freeze following the manufacturer’s instructions. When the mixture is thickened and frozen, transfer it to a freezer-safe container and allow it to freeze completely (2-3 hours).
Serve up this amazingly delicious gelato and watch the smiles around the table.
If you’re looking for a gelato maker, I recommend these three.
More Recipes You’ll Love!
Strawberry Gelato
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh strawberries
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup whole milk (water, 2% or skim milk can be used)
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
Instructions
- Remove the stems and leaves from the strawberries and rinse in cold water.
- Place the strawberries, lemon juice and the sugar in a food processor and process until liquefied.
- Add the milk and run the food processor until all the mixture is smooth.
- Whip the cream with a wire whisk until it begins to thicken slightly and becomes the consistency of buttermilk.
- Mix the cream and strawberry mixture in a bowl and mix thoroughly.
- Pour the mixture into a gelato or ice cream maker and freeze following the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Place the finished gelato into a freezer safe container and allow to fully freeze before serving (2-3 hours).
Yvonne says
You’re right, it’s a super yummy strawberry gelato. Thank you for sharing the recipe! Next to try is the lemon gelato 🙂
Chef Dennis Littley says
I’m happy to hear you enjoyed the gelato. Let me know how you like the lemon.
Justin says
Great recipe. I used lime juice instead of lemon. I prefer the flavor of the lime with strawberry. Also I used the 1 oz of alcohol tip. I used Belvedere vodka. I can’t imagine why a good cook would use cheap alcohol.
I set my Breville Smart Scoop to the firmest Gelato setting and let it work its magic.
It turned out great and taste amazing! I highly recommend this recipe!
Chef Dennis Littley says
Thanks for letting me know you enjoyed the gelato and lime juice does add a nice flavor to the strawberries.
Jenny says
I had some leftover strawberries after making jam the other day and decided to make an ice cream or gelato dessert. After reviewing several different recipes, I decided to try this one, as it was much simpler than many of the others. I was a bit worried at first because lo and behold, someone had eaten a bunch of the berries and I was left with significantly less than the pound the recipe called for. I proceeded anyways, and hoped for the best. I compensated for the decreased berry amount by adding an extra 2 tbsp of lemon juice, and “measured by my heart” amount of vanilla paste. I also added an ounce of golden rum, too. Even with the reduced berry quantity, it was still very strawberry-y and so delicious! We just enjoyed the last of it, and my husband immediately asked if the ice cream maker tub is in the freezer so I can make more tomorrow! Thanks for sharing such a wonderful recipe!
Chef Dennis Littley says
You’re very welcome and I’m happy to hear you made the recipe work with what you had on hand.
phillip crump says
good recipe for gelato (not ice cream) but we like some chopped berries which get thrown in at end, blended with spoon/spatula and placed in freezer. chopped rather fine to avoid frozen rocks.
also, the addition of alcohol (1 oz e.g.) is key: I use kirsch for strawberry gelato.
Chef Dennis Littley says
Thanks for the good suggestions!
Yvonne Pierce says
Made this today and it was amazing!! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Chef Dennis Littley says
Thanks for letting me know you enjoyed my gelato recipe. I have an amazing lemon gelato recipe if you enjoy lemon flavor.
Janine says
Delicious! My first gelato and it was perfect consistency and flavor. Thank you!
Chef Dennis Littley says
You’re welcome and I’m happy to hear you enjoyed the gelato! I have a really good lemon gelato if you like lemon.
Hrund says
so very tasty and easy to make!
Chef Dennis Littley says
That’s what I like to hear!
Vinny says
I haven’t tried to make it yet, but I’m really excited to!
Susan says
Really easy to make and doesn’t need eggs. The flavour is excellent.
I did chill the strawberries and sugar mix in the fridge for a few hours before putting it all together.
Chef Dennis Littley says
Thanks for letting me know that you enjoyed my strawberry gelato! I have an amazing lemon gelato recipe, if you like lemon.