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4.5 from 204 votes

Fresh Strawberry Gelato

Bring something special to the table with this well-loved recipe.

Prep Time
5 hrs 15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
5 hrs 25 mins
Servings: 6 Servings (Makes 1 quart)
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Italian , American

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup granulated or powdered sugar I've used either with good results
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • ¾ cup heavy whipping cream
  • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 ½ cups sliced very ripe fresh strawberries

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a medium saucepan, whisk together the sugar and cornstarch. Gradually whisk in the milk and whipping cream.
  2. Place the pan over medium heat and cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture begins to bubble and thickens, 5-10 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla.
  3. Pour the mixture into a bowl and cool completely (either by pressing plastic wrap directly on the surface and refrigerating or nesting the bowl in a larger bowl filled with ice and stirring until it is cool to the touch).
  4. Puree the strawberries in a blender until the mixture is very smooth.
  5. Once the gelato base has cooled completely, strain the strawberry mixture through a fine mesh strainer into the creamy mixture. Use a rubber spatula or the back of a large spoon to press the strawberry puree through the strainer so all the pretty strawberry liquid gets strained into the gelato but the seeds are left behind. Stir well.
  6. Cover the gelato by pressing plastic wrap directly on the surface. Refrigerate 3 hours or up 24 hours.
  7. Process the gelato in your ice cream maker following the manufacturer's instructions. Scrape the ice cream into a container, cover and freeze for at least two hours or up to 2 days (and I'm guessing even longer than that).

Notes

  • Strawberries: using the ripest, juiciest strawberries will give this gelato the best strawberry flavor.
  • Doubling: also, I've doubled the gelato/strawberry base with great results - I had to process it in my ice cream maker in two batches (I have a 2nd bowl for my machine) but if you have a fairly large ice cream maker, you could probably process the entire double batch in one go. Check with your manufacturer's instructions to be sure!
  • Sugar: also, if the fruit you are using is ultra-ripe and really sweet, you might be able to decrease the sugar just slightly.
  • Serving: if you want to take this gelato completely over the top, serve it with a few slices of ripe, juice strawberries. Heavenly!

Nutrition Information

Serving 1 Serving Calories 249kcal (12%) Carbohydrates 34g (11%) Protein 2g (4%) Fat 13g (20%) Saturated Fat 8g (40%) Cholesterol 45mg (15%) Sodium 30mg (1%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 30g (60%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6Servings (Makes 1 quart)

Amount Per Serving

Calories

% Daily Value*

Serving 1 Serving
Calories 249kcal 12%
Carbohydrates 34g 11%
Protein 2g 4%
Fat 13g 20%
Saturated Fat 8g 40%
Cholesterol 45mg 15%
Sodium 30mg 1%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 30g 60%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.