Rich, velvety, and intensely chocolatey, this gelato recipe is a chocolate lover’s dream come true! With the perfect balance of dark chocolate and creamy texture, this Italian-style treat is sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.

Ready Time

3 hrs 30 mins

Yields

5 servings

Ingredients

2 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
8 oz high-quality dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa), finely chopped

Instructions

Combine the milk, heavy cream, sugar, cocoa powder, and salt in a medium saucepan, whisking until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is smooth.

Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low and let cook for 5 minutes, or until the mixture has thickened slightly.

Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.

Let the mixture cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.

Once chilled, cover and place the mixture in an ice cream maker.

Churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

While the mixture is churning, melt the chocolate in a double boiler or in the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring between each interval until smooth.

Once the gelato is almost fully churned, add the melted chocolate and continue to churn until fully incorporated and the desired consistency is reached.

Transfer the gelato to an airtight container and place in the freezer to harden for at least 2 hours before serving.

Notes

Use high-quality dark chocolate for the best flavor.

If using an ice cream maker, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for churning times and temperatures.

For a creamier gelato, make sure to age the mixture in the fridge for at least 2 hours or overnight before churning.

If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you can also place the mixture in a 9×13 inch baking dish and freeze, stirring every 30 minutes until the desired consistency is reached.

Keep in mind that this method will take about 2-3 hours.

If you’re having trouble getting the chocolate to melt smoothly, try stirring in a little bit of the gelato base into the chocolate to help it along.

Experiment with different types of chocolate for varying flavor profiles.