Is It Italy's Most Popular Gelato? Here's An Easy Stracciatella Recipe

One of Italy's most popular gelato flavours is "Stracciatella." Stracciatella gelato consists of a creamy base (usually vanilla-flavoured) with fine, delicate chocolate shavings or chips mixed in. The result is a harmonious blend of creamy sweetness and the rich, slightly bitter notes of high-quality chocolate.

Stracciatella is beloved for its simplicity and the way it allows the chocolate to shine through without overwhelming the gelato's creamy goodness.

Now, let's make a simple Stracciatella gelato at home with an easy-to-follow recipe:

For the gelato base:

For the Chocolate Stracciatella:

1. Prepare the Gelato Base:

In a saucepan, combine the whole milk and heavy cream over medium heat. Warm the mixture until it's just about to simmer, but do not let it boil. Remove it from the heat.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar and vanilla extract until the sugar is dissolved.

Gradually add the sugar-vanilla mixture to the warm milk and cream, stirring continuously until well combined.

Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature. You can speed up the cooling process by placing the saucepan in an ice bath.

2. Churn the Gelato:

Pour the cooled gelato base into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer's instructions. Typically, this takes about 20-30 minutes.

3. Make the Chocolate Stracciatella:

While the gelato is churning, melt the dark chocolate and butter together in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water (double boiler). Stir until smooth and well combined.

Remove the melted chocolate from the heat and let it cool slightly, but do not let it harden.

4. Add the Stracciatella:

During the last few minutes of churning, slowly drizzle the melted chocolate into the churning gelato. The chocolate will harden on contact with the cold gelato and form delicate chocolate shards as you continue to churn. This creates the "stracciatella" effect.

5. Freeze and Serve:

Transfer the Stracciatella gelato to an airtight container and freeze it for a few hours or until it reaches your desired consistency.

Scoop out the Stracciatella gelato into serving bowls or cones, and enjoy the classic Italian flavour of creamy gelato with rich, chocolatey accents.

Homemade Stracciatella gelato is a delightful treat that captures the essence of Italian gelato culture. Its simplicity, combined with the contrast of creamy sweetness and delicate chocolate, makes it a favourite not just in Italy but around the world. This easy recipe allows you to recreate this beloved flavour in your own kitchen, satisfying your gelato cravings with a homemade twist.

Buon appetito!