5 Tips for a Gelato Ice Cream That Will Make You Lick Your Fingers We could probably live without a lot of different things: wine, Netflix, bath oils, or even meat. Ice cream, however, is not on that list. Call us addicts, but ice cream is a non-negotiable summer treat. Although we have to admit, the thing we buy at the grocery store is not always as healthy as we wished. But, making your own ice cream at home isn’t that simple. Or is it? In this article, you’ll learn a few tips that will help you make gelato ice cream that is as firm, creamy, and delicious as the one you buy at the store. 1. Pay Attention to the Ingredients Your gelato ice cream will only be as good as the ingredients you use to make it. If your goal is to make something that is healthier than the store bought option but still just as tasty, then you need to pay close attention to the ingredients. Buy free-range eggs, organic milk or raw honey (if possible.) If these options aren’t available, just make sure that everything is as fresh as possible. The same goes for the flavors you’ll use for your ice cream. Opt for an actual vanilla bean instead of extract and always choose fresh fruits instead of artificial flavors. 2. Don’t Fear the Fat You might think that since you’re making the gelato, home and you have total control over the gelato ice cream ingredients, you can create a low-calorie dessert that you can enjoy without feeling guilty. That’s true, but you will have to sacrifice taste if you want a lower calorie intake. The fat content in the milk, cream cheese, and heavy cream gives the ice cream it's soft texture and divine taste. Instead of opting for low-calorie ingredients and making gelato ice cream that will get icy in the freezer and that no one will truly enjoy, serve smaller portions. That way, you can control your calorie intake and still enjoy a savory treat. 3. Know When to Add the Flavors One of the most common mistakes people make when making gelato ice cream in their homes is that they add the flavors as they are cooking the custard. Instead, they should be added after the custard has cooled down. If you add them when the mixture is still hot, the flavors will lose their aroma, and the taste won’t be as pronounced. If you’re using an ice cream maker, you can even wait until right before you pour the ice cream to stir them into the custard. It won’t take your machine more than just a few seconds to distribute the flavors evenly. The same rule applies for mix-ins, such as nuts, chocolate chips or whole fruit chunks. 4. But, I Don’t Have an Ice Cream Maker Who said that you need one to make gelato? You can use your blender, and the result will be just as delicious. Not to mention that it’s simple to use, fast, and you won’t make a mess in your kitchen. You’ll also have more control over the consistency of your ice cream. You can make it smooth like a cream or chunky by adding lots of fruits to the mixture. As a rule of thumb, use frozen fruits instead of fresh ones. Not only that they make a delicious base, but they also add to the thickness of the gelato. 5. Keep It Creamy If you’ve ever tried to make gelato ice cream at home, then you might have noticed that it tends to get gritty when you store it in the freezer. You can do a few things to ensure your ice cream will scoop easily. First of all, as already mentioned above, make sure that you aren’t using low-fat ingredients. Secondly, you can add a tablespoon of alcohol, such as fruit liqueur, coffee liqueur or vodka to the custard. Honey, corn syrup, and commercial stabilizers can also give your gelato ice cream a soft and creamy consistency. The container in which you’re storing the ice cream can also make a difference. A shallow container covered with a plastic wrap will prevent your gelato from setting up too firmly. Bear in mind that homemade ice cream can be stored in freezer for a week. After that, it will begin to lose its flavor and texture. So, eat it quickly!   There you have it, folks! Keep these tips in mind next time you’re making gelato ice cream and we guarantee it will be so delicious that you will lick your fingers clean. Do you have any recipe you’d like to share? Leave it in a comment below.