Authentic Lemon Gelato Recipe
A bright, silky Italian lemon gelato featuring a cold-infusion technique for intense citrus aroma and a hint of sea salt for a perfectly balanced, refreshing finish.
Equipment
- Ice Cream Maker
- Zester
- Fine mesh strainer
Ingredients
- 125 ml lemon juice
- 150 g granulated sugar
- 250 ml whole milk
- 250 ml heavy cream
Instructions
Cold infusion for the brightest lemon flavor
- Zest your lemons, taking only the yellow part and avoiding the white pith, then add the zest to the whole milk and heavy cream.
- Cover and refrigerate the dairy mixture for 4 hours to allow the citrus essential oils to steep, then strain out the zest for a silky base.
Build the lemon base
- Squeeze the lemons to get 125 ml of juice and pass it through a fine strainer to remove seeds and pulp.
- Combine the strained juice and granulated sugar in a large container, stirring until the sugar is fully dissolved and the liquid looks glossy.
- Whisk the cold-infused heavy cream and whole milk into the lemon-sugar mixture until the base is unified and slightly thickened.
- Stir in a tiny pinch of fine sea salt to enhance the lemon flavor profile.
Machine method, classic churn
- Pour the mixture into your ice cream maker and churn for approximately 40 minutes until it reaches a soft, creamy consistency that holds gentle ridges.
Notes
Storage Tip: Store your gelato in an airtight container with plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface. This creates a barrier that prevents freezer burn and keeps the texture smooth for up to 2 weeks.
Tempering Rule: For the best mouthfeel, let the gelato sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving. This allows it to soften from hard-frozen to a silky, professional consistency.
Curdling Prevention: Always ensure your dairy is very cold and the sugar is fully dissolved in the lemon juice before combining. This sequence helps stabilize the proteins and prevents the citric acid from curdling the milk.
Nutrition information is estimated based on common ingredients and serving sizes and may vary.
Nutrition
Calories: 285kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 3gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 65mgPotassium: 110mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 32gVitamin A: 550IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 95mgIron: 0.2mg
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