Gelato is one of my absolute favorite desserts when it’s warm outside. This Vanilla Milk Gelato is a perfect treat, with a creamy, dense texture and intense vanilla flavor. Vanilla gelato is similar to vanilla bean ice cream, but with milk instead of heavy cream. If you’ve been wanting to experiment with homemade gelato, now is the time to get started! Learn how to make this easy vanilla gelato recipe in no time.
I’m not sure what it is about the word milk, but whenever I see it in a dessert title, I want it.
Maybe it has something to do with the implications of milky, at least in my mind: creamy, smooth, a pleasant mouthfeel, and slightly sweet but far from cloying.
Like cream, but without the heaviness. I feel the same way about my milk panna cotta. Does that make sense?
Awhile back, I was browsing through the food section of a used bookstore and I came across several Donna Hay cookbooks. Jackpot! I have been a fan of Donna’s for years. Her recipes and food photography are a huge inspiration to me.
This Vanilla Milk Gelato recipe is adapted from Flavours, and I highly recommend making it and picking up a copy of the book. Each section is divided into ingredients such as vanilla, cinnamon and chili.
The photos are beautiful. Also, I am a bit obsessed with her vanilla chapter.
Gelato vs Ice Cream
While ice cream and gelato are very similar, gelato has a lower fat content. Ice cream typically has a fat content of 10 percent or more, while gelato uses more milk, and often less egg yolks (sometimes none).
Where to Buy Vanilla Beans
Don’t purchase vanilla beans from the grocery store; they’re a huge rip off! Aren’t they some insane price like $7-$10 for 3 beans in a spice bottle? Don’t do that.
I buy vanilla beans in bulk online. There are plenty of online stores. I’ve purchased several times from Vanilla Products USA, and am happy with the quality. (Note: it appears they’ve gone up in price since my last order, so you may want to shop around. Still much cheaper than the grocery store).
How to Scrape a Vanilla Bean
Place the bean on a cutting board. Use the tip of a paring knife to cut the bean in half lengthwise. Use the dull edge of the blade to scrape the seeds from the pod.
How to Substitute Vanilla Paste
Another option is to use vanilla bean paste. One teaspoon of vanilla paste equals one vanilla bean or one teaspoon of pure vanilla extract.
Looking for more frozen desserts?
Check out my Passion Fruit Sorbet, Baileys Ice Cream, and Cookies and Mascarpone Ice Cream!
Vanilla Milk Gelato Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped
- 4 large egg yolks
- 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Heat the milk and vanilla bean in a medium saucepan set over medium heat until simmering, stirring occasionally with a heat-proof spatula. Meanwhile, vigorously whisk the egg yolks and sugar in a medium-sized bowl until the yolks lighten in color slightly.
- Remove the milk from the heat and pour slowly into the egg yolks while whisking. Pour everything back into the saucepan, scraping the bowl.
- Return the saucepan to the heat and, using a heat-proof spatula, stir until the mixture thickens slightly, approximately 3-4 minutes. Remove from the heat and discard the vanilla bean. Stir in the cream and vanilla extract. Allow to cool (I let it cool overnight).
- Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and prepare the gelato according to the manufacturer's instructions, until it's frozen and scoopable. Alternatively, place the mixture in a metal container and freeze, beating at 1-hour intervals, until the gelato is scoopable.
Notes
Please read my full post for additional recipe notes, tips, and serving suggestions!
Nutrition
Recipe Troubleshooting
For immediate help troubleshooting a recipe, please email me using the form on my contact page. I’ll try to respond to urgent questions as quickly as possible! For all general questions, please leave a comment here :)
Sarah says
I LOVE your beautiful photography and inspirational recipes, pushing my own to greater and greater heights. As for ice cream weather, here in the UK we almost never have ‘ice cream weather’ so I just shrug my shoulders and eat it anyway… wrapped in a woolly jumper… with the heating turned up.
Todd | HonestlyYUM says
I agree with Gerry, come to California!! Although we’re about to get hit with 4 straight days of rain. Regardless, gelato is perfect for any weather. I don’t care what anyone says. Especially THIS gelato!
Sarah says
I LOVE your photography and inspirational recipes which push me to try better and better on my own blog. As for when to eat ice cream, we hardly ever have ice cream weather in the UK so if I feel like ice cream I just go for it… and put on a warm jumper… and turn up the heating!
Donalyn@The Creekside Cook says
Ice cream, gelato, fudgesicles – good all year, I don’t care what the weather is! And this would be like giving the finger to those piles of inedible snow out there – as you eat a white, sweet, freeze-y thing inside the warm house. Yum!
[also loving these photos – wasn’t it you who was just telling me not long ago that you struggle with light backgrounds? sure doesn’t look like it…]
Jennifer Farley says
Practice helps!
Cate @ Chez CateyLou says
This gelato looks so simple and perfect!! I want a scoop right now, polar vortex be d*mned!
cheri says
I actually love to eat ice cream in the winter, not sure why, just do. Amazing pics!
Sarah | The Sugar Hit says
These photos are really beautiful, I can almost taste the gelato!
Sylvie | Gourmande in the Kitchen says
I could eat ice cream anytime of year and vanilla is one of my favorite flavors.
Meredith says
So simple and yet amazing!
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says
Simply flawless, Jennifer! This gelato looks like a scoopful of heaven. I’d love to try it… and then go crazy topping it with chopped nuts and chocolate! Sorry, can’t help it.
Laura Dembowski says
Yes, this winter needs to end. Now! Until then, I’ll enjoy this fabulous gelato!
Stephanie says
Gelato is definitely good every day of the year! This looks amazing.
Alina says
These pictures are stunning! I love the way the vanilla beans pop off the white! And YUM, who doesn’t love gelato all year round.
Mary Happymommy says
This looks heavenly.
Gina Guthrie says
Gelato is one of my favorite desserts. Love this easy recipe.