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creamy mint chocolate gelato

Mint Chocolate Gelato

This homemade mint chocolate gelato is smooth, creamy, and packed with fresh mint flavor and crunchy bits of dark chocolate. It’s a refreshing dessert that tastes like a richer, denser version of mint chocolate chip ice cream—perfect for summer nights or special gatherings.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Freezing time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 35 minutes
Servings: 8 scoops
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Calories: 290

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 1 teaspoon peppermint extract or 1 cup fresh mint leaves, steeped and strained
  • ½ cup finely chopped dark chocolate or mini chocolate chips
  • 1 pinch salt
(Optional) A few drops of natural green food coloring

Method
 

Warm the Milk and Cream
  1. Pour the milk and cream into a saucepan. Heat over medium until steaming, but don’t let it boil.
Whisk Yolks and Sugar
  1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar until pale and creamy.
Temper the Eggs
  1. Slowly pour a small amount of hot milk mixture into the yolks while whisking constantly. Then, add the tempered yolks back into the saucepan.
Cook the Custard
  1. Stir gently over low heat until the mixture thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
Add Flavor
  1. Stir in peppermint extract (or steeped mint). Add a pinch of salt.
Chill
  1. Pour into a clean bowl. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
Churn
  1. Pour the chilled mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to your machine’s instructions.
  2. Add Chocolate
  3. During the last few minutes of churning, sprinkle in chopped dark chocolate.
Freeze
  1. Transfer to a freezer-safe container, smooth the top, and freeze for 2 hours before serving.

Notes

  • If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you can still make this gelato. Pour the chilled custard into a shallow dish, freeze it, and stir every 30 minutes until creamy.
  • Fresh mint leaves give a softer, natural taste compared to extract. If you want a bolder flavor, use peppermint extract.
  • For extra crunch, drizzle melted chocolate into the churning gelato—it hardens into thin, crackly shards.