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    Home » Recipes » Italian Desserts

    Stracciatella Gelato (No Churn)

    Published: Jun 29, 2020, Last updated: Jun 29, 2020 by Emily This post may contain affiliate links.

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    A pinterest graphic for Stracciatella gelato

    How to make ultra smooth and creamy Stracciatella Gelato without an ice cream machine. This no-churn Italian gelato is made with just four simple ingredients and takes no more than 5 minutes to prepare, insanely easy, and delicious!

    An overhead shot of a tub of ice cream with a scoop inside

    Stracciatella gelato is such a classic and traditional Italian flavour with a beautiful smooth and creamy texture, lightly scented with vanilla and speckled with dark chocolate shards.

    Traditionally Stracciatella is made by pouring melted chocolate into the churning vanilla gelato which freezes as it hits the super cold ice cream.

    Since this recipe is a no-churn version it's been simplified to take no more than 5 minutes to prepare and using the simplest of ingredients.

    It's super smooth and creamy and has such a beautiful luxurious flavour, it's just so much more than your average chocolate chip ice cream and it couldn't be easier to make.

    Ingredients you need

    All you need is four basic ingredients; heavy cream, condensed milk, dark chocolate, and vanilla extract or bean paste. See the photo below that shows all the ingredients you need.

    An overhead shot of all the ingredients you need to make Stracciatella gelato

    How to make Stracciatella Gelato - step by step

    Put the heavy cream, condensed milk, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer until really thick, smooth, and resembles soft peaks (photos 1-3).

    Step by step photos showing how to make Stracciatella gelato

    Roughly chop the dark chocolate, you want there to be tiny pieces and some larger chunks and fold it through the gelato mixture (photo 4).

    Transfer the stracciatella gelato to a freezer-proof container, cover with a lid and freeze for 6 hours to overnight. Remove the gelato for the freezer around 10 minutes before serving (photos 5-8).

    Step by step photos what gelato looks like before and after freezing

    Serving suggestions

    You can serve this gelato as it is or alongside other desserts like with a slice of strawberry Crostata (jam tart). Another delicious and easy serving option is to use it to make an Affogato which is ice cream with a shot of espresso coffee, it's the perfect way to end a meal!

    A close up of three scoops of ice cream in a rustic dish

    Top tips and recipe FAQs

    • Cream - Make sure to use heavy cream so it whips up nice and thick.
    • Chocolate - Use high-quality dark chocolate if possible for the best flavour.
    • Vanilla - I love to use vanilla bean paste which gives you a beautiful vanilla favour and tiny black speckles throughout the gelato but you can also use vanilla extract just don't use vanilla essence which is artificial flavouring.
    What does Stracciatella mean?

    Stracciatella comes from the verb Stracciare which literally means to tear or rip up. The name Stracciatella refers to the little rough shards of chocolate sprinkled throughout the ice cream.

    What does it taste like?

    This gelato has a classic vanilla and chocolate flavour but what makes it so incredible is its ultra smooth and creamy texture. It's super luxurious and delicious!

    A close up of a scoop of stracciatella gelato

    More Italian ice cream recipes you might like

    • Tiramisu ice cream
    • Chocolate hazelnut ice cream
    • Boozy Limoncello ice cream

    If you tried this Stracciatella Gelato or any other recipes on the blog please be sure to leave me a comment below to let me know how you got on, I love hearing from you. You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more delicious food and what I’m getting up to

    Step By Step Photos AboveMost of our recipes come with step by step photos, helpful tips and tricks to make it perfectly first time and even video!
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    A square image of 3 scoops of ice cream in a rustic dish
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    5 from 1 vote

    Stracciatella Gelato

    How to make ultra smooth and creamy Straciatella Gelato without an ice cream machine. This no-churn Italian gelato is made with just four simple ingredients and takes no more than 5 minutes to prepare, insanely easy, and delicious!
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine Italian
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    freezing time 6 hours
    Total Time 6 hours 5 minutes
    Servings 12 servings
    Calories 365kcal
    Author Emily Kemp

    Ingredients

    • 14 oz condensed milk (397g)
    • 2.5 cups heavy cream double cream (600ml)
    • ¼ teaspoon vanilla bean paste or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 cup dark chocolate roughly chopped

    Instructions

    • Put the heavy cream, condensed milk, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer until really thick, smooth and resembles soft peaks.
    • Roughly chop the dark chocolate, you want there to be tiny pieces and some larger chunks and fold it through the gelato mixture.
    • Transfer the stracciatella gelato to a freezer proof container, cover with a lid and freeze for 6 hours to overnight. Remove the gelato for the freezer around 10 minutes before serving!

    Notes

    • Cream - Make sure to use heavy cream so it whips up nice and thick.
    • Chocolate - Use high-quality dark chocolate if possible for the best flavour.
    • Vanilla - I love to use vanilla bean paste which gives you a beautiful vanilla favour and tiny black speckles throughout the gelato but you can also use vanilla extract just don't use vanilla essence which is artificial flavouring.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 365kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 80mg | Sodium: 64mg | Potassium: 264mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 823IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 137mg | Iron: 2mg
    Helpful Info for All Recipes
    • I always use extra virgin olive oil in all of my recipes unless stated otherwise
    • When I use canned or jarred tomatoes of any kind I always use Cirio or Mutti brands for the best results and flavour.
    • All vegetables are medium sized unless stated otherwise
    • All recipes are tested and developed using a fan (convection) oven
    • Find out more about how nutrition is calculated.
    • Check out our must have Italian Pantry Staples.
    • You can also find all our Essential Kitchen Tools for Italian Cooking.
    Did you try this recipe?Mention @insidetherustickitchen or tag #insidetherustickitchen! We'd love you see what you're getting up to in the kitchen!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Irena

      November 07, 2022 at 5:38 pm

      Hi. Looking forward to trying this but I’ve never used condensed milk and there are two types, Sweetened and unsweetened condensed milk. Which would you recommend?

      Reply
      • Emily

        November 07, 2022 at 5:46 pm

        Hi Irene, you’ll need sweetened condensed milk for this recipe, enjoy!

        Reply
        • Irena

          November 07, 2022 at 6:15 pm

          Thank you! Will report back after I make it.

    2. Sienna

      September 23, 2022 at 8:48 pm

      Why can't use vanilla essence? I understand that it's artificial flavoring, does it ruin the gelato? I only have vanilla essence at current moment.

      Reply
      • Emily

        September 23, 2022 at 8:53 pm

        Hi Sienna, use it if that’s all you have I just don’t recommend it because extract or vanilla beans/paste taste so much better.

        Reply
    3. Bee

      November 09, 2020 at 3:14 pm

      I’ve been looking for a simple no fuss stracciatella recipe and luckily had all the ingredients for this one! It’s in the freezer currently.... dipped a finger i the mixture before freezing and it tasted delish so I cannot wait to take it out this evening. Thanks Emily!

      Reply
      • Inside the rustic kitchen

        November 10, 2020 at 1:25 pm

        Aww, I'm so happy you found the recipe so easy, hope you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    4. Angela

      July 14, 2020 at 8:53 pm

      Mmm stracciatella is one of my favourite ice cream flavours! This looks dangerously simple! I might be making it a lot!! Looks so delicious!5 stars

      Reply
      • Inside the rustic kitchen

        July 23, 2020 at 9:41 am

        It's SO simple, I love how quick and easy it is to make. Hope you enjoy it!

        Reply

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