Coffee Gelato

Coffee gelato is a classic dessert that refreshes and satisfies lovers of this drink. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

• 250 ml fresh cream
• 250 ml whole milk
• 120 g sugar
• 4 egg yolks
• 2 tablespoons instant coffee or the equivalent of very strong ristretto espresso
• 1 tablespoon coffee liqueur (optional to intensify the flavor)

Preparation

1. In a saucepan, mix the egg yolks with the sugar until you obtain a light and frothy mixture.
2. Heat the milk in another saucepan until it becomes hot, but without bringing it to a boil.
3. Add the hot milk to the egg and sugar mixture, stirring continuously.
4. Place the saucepan over low heat and cook the custard, stirring constantly, until it thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon (it should not reach a boil).
5. Dissolve the instant coffee in a little hot water or, if using espresso, make sure it is concentrated and cold.
6. Add the dissolved coffee to the custard and mix well.
7. Let the custard cool completely, then add the fresh cream and coffee liqueur, stirring until you obtain a homogeneous mixture.
8. Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and follow the manufacturer’s instructions to churn it. If you do not have an ice cream maker, you can pour the mixture into a container and place it in the freezer. In this case, stir the gelato every 30-40 minutes for the first 2-3 hours to break up the ice crystals and achieve a creamy consistency.
9. Once the desired consistency is reached, the coffee gelato is ready to be served.

Fun Facts

Coffee gelato is appreciated not only for its intense and refreshing taste but also for the creaminess obtained thanks to the cream. A vegan alternative can include the use of plant-based milk and cream, such as soy or coconut. In Italy, gelato is also served as an affogato, that is, accompanied by an additional shot of hot espresso poured directly over the scoop of gelato, for a truly special contrast of temperatures and flavors.